Carney signs Executive Order that offers more flexibility for child care providers in dealing with COVID-19

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Governor John Carney on Thursday signed Executive Order #38, which will allow the State of Delaware and providers flexibility to provide child care options for Delaware families and health care workers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The order comes after parents and providers took note of issues related to fighting the virus.

“The coronavirus is taking a serious toll across our state, on families who are losing income, and child care providers who care for our youngest Delawareans every day,” said Carney. “This Executive Order will help make sure Delawareans have access to child care over the long run, especially those health care workers who we need on the front lines of our state’s response. Every Delawarean should take this situation seriously. Our goal is to limit spread of the virus, and prevent a spike in cases that our health care system cannot handle. Don’t go out in public unnecessarily. Wash your hands and disinfect surfaces frequently. Stay home if you feel sick, even if you have mild symptoms. We’ll get through this. I want to also take this opportunity to thank our child care workers. We could not take on this challenge without you.”

Carney’s Executive Order #38 gives the Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) the ability to suspend or modify provisions of the state’s childcare rules, regulations and statutes – as long as changes will not endanger the safety or welfare of a child.

Under the Executive Order, DSCYF may work with existing providers to designate emergency childcare sites for children of health care workers, emergency medical staff, law enforcement, and other essential personnel. This change in the regulatory process will last only as long as the State of Emergency declaration remains in place.

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