June 18th COVID-19 Update

Florida Department of Education Announces CARES Act Funding for Early Learning

Last week, Florida's Department of Education announced how it will use the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Child Care funds.

A total of $223 million is coming to our state for early learning. Here is how the money will be spent:

• $44 million to ensure first-responders and healthcare workers have access to child care
• $55 million in grants to support open child care providers with funding for infrastructure, staff payments, bonuses for retention, cleaning supplies/services and other costs to ensure healthy and safe environments
• $17 million in grants to help high-quality, closed providers reopen and ensure healthy and safe environments
• $21 million to implement summer programs for rising kindergarteners and to pilot a statewide progress monitoring system for the VPK to K transition

This leaves a balance of over $86 million to continue to support the immediate relief needs of the child care sector.

 

Survey: Coronavirus Changed Travel Plans for 76% of Floridians

We could all use a vacation, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, that likely won’t be happening soon for most.

A new survey by AAA found that 76% of Floridians had their travel plans impacted due to the global COVID-19 situation. Of those, 40% had to reschedule, while 39% opted to cancel their trip altogether.

Read more here.