Secretary for Health and Family Services Eric Friedlander said state officials have filed emergency regulations regarding childcare today.
“What we’re offering today is a comprehensive approach. We know we need to support additional capacity. We know we need to support additional access across the commonwealth and we know-as the governor referred to...we have to be able and will enforce the childcare regulations as they’re written,” Friedlander said.
Friedlander said there aren't a lot of small registered, certified providers in the state. He said he hopes as people experience non-traditional instruction with their children, they decide to become certified providers.
He said the state will provide funding and support to help those people become registered and certified as ongoing childcare providers.
“So we’re going to make sure that we accelerate certification and registration. We’re going to provide about $2,500 to help people start up,” Friedlander said.
He said the state is going to allow limited duration centers an opportunity to function for an additional 90 days and then come into licensure. Friedlander said the state will support them with accelerated licensure. He said the state is also increasing the group size from 10 to 15.
“We know we’re at a plateau. We’ve seen the positivity rate begin to decline. We think that this is an important step,” he said.
Governor Andy Beshear confirmed 381 new cases today and said the lower number is because some testing labs are closed on Sundays. He said three new Kentuckians have died due to the coronavirus.
Beshear said in childcare facilities two new staff members and six students have tested positive for the virus. He said eight new residents and twelve new staff members have tested positive in long-term care facilities. In K-12 schools, Beshear said 14 new students and three faculty/staff are positive. He said seven new students in colleges and universities also tested positive.
