Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Gov. Holcomb Announces New Steps in the Fight Against COVID-19
INDIANAPOLIS — In a continuing effort to slow the spread of novel
coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced additional
efforts, including new guidance for child care.
“There is a critical need for child care for those workers who are
taking care of others and helping Hoosiers keep food and supplies in their
homes. We appreciate all of the efforts Superintendent of Public Instruction
Dr. Jennifer McCormick and FSSA Secretary Dr. Jen Sullivan and their staffs
have worked on jointly to create more child care options for parents,”
said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb.
Here are other actions the State of Indiana has taken:
· The Indiana State Department of Education (DOE) and Family and
Social Services Administration (FSSA) have teamed to encourage school
corporations in Indiana to open schools on a limited basis to provide
child care services for emergency workers and others who are working to
keep communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
o On Friday, FSSA provided new guidance for child care operators who are
licensed by the state. Here is the link:
https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5761.htm
o Today, DOE provided similar guidance to school corporations to care for
the school age children of essential workers. The guidance provides specific
steps for schools to take to open school facilities as well as how to
maintain a safe environment.
https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/news/child-care-recommendation-essential-personnel.pdf
§ Among precautions for school district officials, the steps include
collecting child health records, allowing extra time for deep cleaning,
prohibiting staff who are in high-risk categories from providing the care,
and keeping groups of students in separate areas of the building.
· The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has spoken
to more than 1,000 businesses and economic development agencies in the
last five days about ways to continue supporting the state’s economy
as well as its front-line COVID-19 pandemic response workers.
o More than 135 companies have been fully vetted as being able to help,
including RV and auto manufacturers that are switching lines to help make
shields, masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
o Multiple companies – including Subaru, Heritage Group and Summit
MMI – have come together to donate thousands of PPE. Restaurants
and companies have donated thousands of gloves.
· Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Community Development
Block Grant funds may be redirected to assist with COVID-19 needs based
on guidance from the United States Housing and Urban Development. This
program could help fund projects such as mobile testing areas or economic
assistance packages for small businesses.
More information may be found at the ISDH website at
in.gov/coronavirus/ and the CDC website at
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.