State opens child care assistance program for critical hospital personnel
Published 10:08 am Monday, August 16, 2021
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In response to the critical staffing shortages in acute care hospitals in the fourth surge of COVID-19, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) in partnership with Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has opened the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to support essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings.
These families can access subsidized care for children age 12 and under at Type III licensed childcare centers, or through registered and certified family childcare and in-home providers for 12 months by simply completing an application and providing a signed letter of employment and title.
Effective today, families of essential hospital personnel in Tier 1 or 2 hospital settings are eligible for CCAP and their applications will be expedited. Essential hospital personnel include the following titles:
- Nurses, LPN, RN, APRN.
- Nursing Assistants — Medical Assistants, Aides, Personal Care Attendants.
- Therapists — OT, PT, Respiratory.
- Mental Health, Social Worker, Counselors.
- Emergency Medical Technicians.
- Laboratory Staff.
- Nutritional Staff.
- Janitorial Services.
- Other employees that provide direct care.
As of now, applications will be accepted through Oct. 31, 2021. Interested families must complete the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application and submit a signed letter on hospital letterhead verifying title and employment.
Upon approval, certification for child care services will be valid for 12 months. The department will reassess applications as it continues to monitor the need.
If essential hospital personnel need care during hours that do not fit traditional child care center hours such as night time care, they may have someone become a CCAP certified in-home provider and come into their home to provide care.
Access the CCAP Pandemic Protective Services Crisis Application at www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/child-care-providers/pandemic-protective-services-crisis-application-(ccap22b).pdf.
For more information, please contact LDECCAP@la.gov.