Partner Message Board

New York Works for Children is happy to share the following messages on behalf of our partners and sponsors.

New York's Office of Children and Family Services has some important information about how child care professionals can reverse overdoses with opioid antagonists.

Naloxone nasal spray (also known by the brand name Narcan) is an over-the-counter medication that providers can obtain for free. Providers who wish to learn how to use opioid antagonist nasal sprays and store them on-site at their childcare programs must:

  1. Apply to OCFS for a new Appendix K waiver to obtain, stock, and potentially administer opioid antagonists.
  2. Ensure that at least one designated staff member has completed training (available through the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services) on how to respond to an opioid overdose.
  3. Maintain verification of the Appendix K waiver and training on-site.
  4. Maintain policies and procedures that follow the child care regulations regarding stocking, storage, maintenance, labeling, and disposal of medication.

The complete guidance from OCFS is below.

 


The NYS Office of Children and Family Services is offering a grant opportunity to help individuals interested in opening a child care program:

 


Here is some important information for families about WIC Help New York:

Many families across the state could get healthy food and connect to resources, nutritionists, breastfeeding support and more with WIC. If you are pregnant or have a child younger than 5 years old, WIC can help keep your growing family healthy. Grandparents, kinship caregivers, foster parents, working families, and non-US citizens can qualify, too. Families that receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF automatically qualify. Currently, WIC services are provided remotely and a family of four can have $51,338 in yearly income and qualify. 

Check out NYS WIC’s new “Chat with Wanda” for an easy three-minute screening and get automatically connected with your local WIC clinic. WIC food benefits are provided electronically on an eWIC card and can be purchased in more than one shopping trip.

Click here for information and resources (English and Spanish) you can share with families.

 

 

Are you on an OCFS approved Plan of Study or manage someone who is?

As of 1/1/19, all existing and future Plans of Study for directors and group teachers must be uploaded into the program’s Facility Application and Management System (FAMS) account. Regulators will be notified by email when documentation has been uploaded to FAMS. Approved plans of study and documentation demonstrating continuous progress must be updated and uploaded at least annually.  Regulators will be able to monitor continuous progress within FAMS.  Programs may contact their regional office for assistance.