 All right. Thank you. We are now live. This is the Senate Health and Welfare Committee meeting. And it is September 1st already amazing. And it feels like fall just about. So good morning, everyone. Thank you all for being here. We're going to pick up some information now about the child care issue that we've been. And we heard about jointly with house human services and then also a little bit more last week. So we've invited both the after school program and our DCF folks in to talk about what the administration is recommending. So I don't, I think that you, you have been working collaboratively. And I, so do you want to organize yourselves into testimony for us, Stephen, I'm looking at you, Deputy Commissioner. Good morning. Good morning. Good morning. Thank you very much for the invitation to come to hearing this morning for the record. I'm Stephen Berbeco, Deputy Commissioner for the child development division. I'm here this morning with the DCF senior advisor, Jeffrey Pippinger, and also a member of our team, Miranda Gray, who's leading the regional hubs program and project for DCF. Also with us this morning is Holly Morehouse executive director for Vermont after school. And Jeffrey, would you mind starting us off with an overview of the regional hubs. It'd be my pleasure for the record, my name is Jeffrey Pippinger and the senior advisor to the commissioner for the Vermont department for children and families. Thank you very much for having us in today to talk about the regional hub initiative that the department in conjunction with Vermont after school is working very hard to set up. In the last two weeks, what we have done is to support the creation of regional hubs around the state. That will be, it's a regional model based on what is happening in supervisory units around the state with that geographical flexibility is going to provide the best way to approach school aged care on remote learning days as possible. That will be available via grants that go out to hub sites from the department through Vermont after school. The grant awards are intended to cover their initial startup and operational costs and the attend that is for these sites to become self sufficient over time. Just a little bit. This is part of a three prong strategy that the administration has put forward in order to address the need for school aged care during remote learning day, particularly in the hybrid model. The other prongs are the expansion of the number of slots for school aged children by increasing the ability of registered family childcare homes to provide full time care. I appreciate that that change in conjunction with our current regulated system will serve an additional 3000 children. The other third prong would be the expediting of licensing requests and analyzing where there might be flexibility and regulations to help quickly stand that capacity. Of course without compromising the health and safety of children. This is a public private partnership with Vermont after school. I think I speak for the Department of Administration and say that we are thrilled to be working with Holly and her team they've done an extraordinary job and incredibly short amount of time. I have just been blown away. And I really think that having them on board their expertise is a tremendous asset to the department. And the approach to collaborate is to create these hubs that are going to keep children safe and assist them with their engaging in online remote learning on days when they are not physically presence at school. Many entities have come forward to help out and to suggest opportunities to provide hub sites. We also include organizations that run after school programs summer camps other youth programming. We've also had a wide variety of businesses and other types of organizations that have offered some creative opportunities and solutions as well. I think we really appreciate that part of this approach means that we are leveraging the community relationships that we have around the state. And I think it's important within those communities to try and creatively address a complex situation in developing this hub initiative. Something that we have kept in the forefront of our mind is that we need to give careful consideration to making sure that we are establishing a new system because essentially what we are doing is establishing entirely new system of care that is layered on top of the existing system. This system is really addressing a set of challenges in a landscape that we haven't seen before the necessity for these remote learning days. But we're really thoughtful about how do we do that without harming the existing network. How do we do that without compromising the existing system of childcare, which already has a lot of stresses and strengths on it. We are trying very hard to build upon those investments that we've already made in Vermont's childcare system and expand to meet a different set of challenges that we're seeing this fall. So with that overview, I would then turn it over to my colleague, Brenda Gray, and also to Holly Morehouse from our after school to talk through the current status and the details of what has been happening in terms of the day to day issues. Great. Thank you, Jeffrey. I think I'm going to provide an overview of where we are and where we've been and then pass over to Miranda to talk through some of the specifics of how potential hub sites move through the process. Holly, before you begin, please introduce yourself for the record that would be great. Thank you for the reminder. Good to have it's great to have you here by the way. I really appreciate the opportunity. So for the record, my name is Holly Morehouse and I'm the executive director of Vermont after school. And I did want to start with thanking chair lions and the committee for taking testimony on this important initiative. I'd also like to thank DCF Department of Children and Families for stepping forward to take this on. Vermont's families needed a state approach, and that required a state agency to step into this space and work to develop a viable solution and we really appreciate the department doing that and being that that state agency to come forward. So what's going well, I will say the partnership over the last seven to 10 days with Miranda and with all of the DCF partners has been really strong. We are working closely step in step we are in touch throughout the day and into the evening and starting early the next morning. And I really appreciate having that back and forth and the chance to shape this project together. We need to move forward quickly but we also want to move forward thoughtfully so having the chance to look at different issues and talk them through as they're affecting programs in the field has been really important. I'd also like to note another the close partnership with the Department of Health. We've been partnering with programs serving children and youth in person since March with these the childcare for essential workers throughout the summer summer programs and then also with the reopening and with this this hub project. We couldn't step forward, put programs forward to do this important work without their support around the health and safety guidelines. One of the things I think that also has helped us to move forward the parts of the project that that we have seen make progress is really the knowledge we have of the field ever month after school. I mean COVID is new to all of us, but some of these issues around inequity and inequitable access to programs for children and youth outside the school day in the summer is a problem that has existed for a while in our state and which we have provided testimony to this committee on before and you have taken an interest in. So some aspects of this problem are familiar to us so the fact that there are some areas of the state where schools for elementary school children are in session five days a week. So they have care and education throughout the morning and into the early afternoon and then you have a strong after school provider picking up the care from one o'clock to five o'clock makes you know if you're a family or parent in that community you have lots of supports and resources and places for your children to be. However, we have other parts of the state where schools are fully remote and we don't have strong after school or summer programs or childcare providers in those parts of the state. So some of the challenges that we are facing now are not only the timing and the challenges around COVID, but also that we're trying to build on top of a system that isn't equitable already across the state so some of that will play into how we're making progress and some of the ways that we're rolling out the project. To date, I will say that we have had over 160 inquiries from interested entities coming in from all across the state that are looking either to set up a hub or partner with a hub or provide a location. One of the hubs summit entities are contacting us because maybe they don't want to run it themselves but they have enrichment activities that we'd like to offer around arts or drama or music and so they want to partner with an existing place. Our team has been working through all that data and inquiries. As of Sunday we had elevated 12 potential hub sites to Miranda at DCF to put forward as sort of the first round. We have another 20 that are in progress that we hope to bring forward by the end of the week and roughly another 40 or so that are still in review and part of that review process really is reaching out with every single one and going back and forth and talking about their scenario and their space, their capacity for children the days that they're going to be running how it matches with the school schedule, and so forth. The project isn't without challenges, and I look forward to skipping forward to January we can report on this effort and what we accomplished but you know some of the challenges that we're seeing you know our staffing. We're working on that this week to roll out a statewide staffing campaign how do we staff these new hubs without depleting or challenging the existing programs childcare and after school programs that are also looking for staff. The timing the timing is fast. That isn't anyone's fault it's a covert thing and it's the way the federal dollars are funding but I just, I want to name that that here. I want to go back to those disparities or gaps in the existing landscape. I do want to thank the Senate earlier in the session before COVID you did pass as 335. It is an House Education Committee, I believe at this time. I just want to bring it up here again, because this program that we're talking about today runs through the end of December. That's 335 would give the opportunity to establish a committee now that could be looking at this issue around after school and summer and out of school time programming over the next four months so that when we hit January we already have a plan about what happens next in place, rather than doing what tends to happen in COVID where we start working on something in which we had started it two months ago. So I just wanted to mention that bill as well because it would give us a way to, as we're setting forward the hubs we could also be looking at some of the broader underlying issues. So I believe I'm going to pass to Miranda for some of the specifics about potential how potential hub sites move through the process. I'm Miranda Hawley for the record, I'm Miranda Gray and the project manager for the project manager for the school age child care hubs. Temporary reassigned from the reach of program and economic services. So the 12 sites that Vermont after school has elevated. We are now reaching out to those hub sites and talking about talking through their budget, trying to identify if there's any areas that they perhaps hadn't identified that they might need. For example, wifi one of the requirements to be a hub site is that you will have a wifi connection. So that way we can ensure that children are able to access their educational services provided through the school system. Other items such as rent insurance staffing. Then we also are going over the timing of the grant so although that this, this grant will cover the first initial month startup costs. We are also going to go through when children break for winter break. So around December 18 through the 23rd, perhaps, depending on various school schedules. And that is what we are looking for reports from the hub sites, but there would only be money for that first month, the September costs. We're also talking with some of the providers about the child care financial assistance program, the subsidy also known as just if they're not familiar with drawing in those funds. We are writing the grant requirements so that we will be able to leverage this money into the program. And then we also concurrently have licensors within the child development division that are reaching out to the hub sites to help the site directors if they need with zoning permits, fire safety occupancy permits. I'm really just trying to assist in any way that they can to ensure that the buildings are safe and ready for children when they go. Another piece that I've been over thinking is speaking with the agency of education to talk about a meal that the hub sites can provide and how do we access the current programs that is information that I have to date. I'm going to excuse for myself for for turning off my video I had went into a sneezing fit and I apologize but I did hear everything that you said. No problem. Is this a time for questions. Okay, I'll try not to sneeze. Sorry. I do have a couple of questions but if someone else wants to start. Senator anger. Thank you. Thanks. Are these 12 that you're starting with, are they not already providing any of these services. You know, I mean, are they not are they not already in the child care business or what can you give us some examples of what kinds of places are sort of stepping forward to apply for that. So we're receiving inquiries from a whole host of organizations from long term providers that we've known very well for 15 to 20 years to new businesses that are offering to step into the space. We have in the first round, really been looking for those who can move quickly and have the capacity so we have, you know, gone to places that maybe already have a license or close partnership with the school or have those relationships in the communities and can step in. So I would say in this first batch, you're seeing more of those because they can get up to speed quicker. So they are all adding. And that nobody's offered, you know, programming on remote learning days because we haven't had those in the past, the way that we now do a number of them are are able to use existing spaces but many are also looking at additional spaces. So they may be, you know, have three existing locations that they're now expanding to offer their remote learning days, which is a full day, which is different for an after school program. And more like what they do in the summer, and then they may be looking at a fourth space to also increase capacity in their community. So we are trying to draw on the strength of what already exists, and folks who have training and knowledge of how to care for children and youth. And in places where new businesses are stepping forward, we're also finding that often they're stepping forward with a space, but maybe they don't want to run the program themselves the childcare program themselves so they're looking for an existing partner to do that piece maybe in their next space. And some of those were especially where they're looking at new spaces where they've never been care before some of that takes a little bit longer to go through the permitting process. But they're sort of in the next batch of review that we expect to come forward. Are the, are they sort of geographically spread out, or are we, I mean, I know one of the problems with, you know, existing programs is that we haven't been able to have them everywhere where, you know, our Vermont families need them. How are we doing with being able to. Yeah, that's a great question because that is, that's very true. So out of the first 12. We've been in eight different counties. And we did intentionally also in going through the first sort of round try to rise up, you know, ones that could cover different parts of the state. There are some areas that we are concerned about, and we have been doing rather than waiting for people to come to us we're doing the outreach down to those communities to see who can come forward, and step into that space because others are receiving extra attention and participating in community meetings and pulling players together to try to solve the solutions there because that would be where we don't already have a strong existing partner who's easy, you know, better able to step into the space that we're trying to handle both simultaneously and then also not slow down the ones that are ready to open next week if they can, you know, move through the whole process with DCF so. And if I may add on to what Holly is saying. I think it's important to keep in mind in this conversation and geographic disbursement of these hubs is that they really are based on what is happening in those local communities and the supervisor unions in particular there. For instance, in those communities around the state that have no remote learning days who are back in person five days a week. We won't see a hub in those communities because there's not a need at this moment in time for remote learning day care, if that makes sense, which also brings up an entirely different set of challenges that as we are working on standing up this particular system of care this additional system. We're trying to keep in mind that it's a really it's a very dynamic landscape, right. There are supervisor unions and communities where there may be one in person day for the first several weeks, and then that's going to flip to two days. Before there are areas where they might be in person five days a week not need remote learning hubs and depending on what happens with the pandemic and the fall and winter. Now there may we may see a need for remote learning in communities as days are taken offline. So it's just something to keep in mind when we're talking about the geography of it. That's my last question if I may. So, do these hubs. I can envision that parents would be working, you know, like a nine to five job and the, and the, the, the kids have to be in school, part of that time. Do they do they continue to stay in those hubs and then are there, like after school programs also offered to them until I can be, you know, go back to their homes or, you know, is there segue from one to the other. The straight after school programs. We're going into this model. So, if a school is in session five days a week but they get out at one. There still is a childcare issue from one to five for all those families. Some communities are fortunate that an after school provider is stepping into that space and other communities that's going to continue to be a challenge. The hub program was set up only for remote learning days. Now we do have some strong partners that will be running if a school districts doing like the AB days. Well, they'll have the, the children who are not in school in the hub, you know, during the school regular school hours, and then they will expand, you know, extend all the way until five so they'll be offering that that full day. And that for the kids who are not in school that day that part of the care is covered by the hub program, the kids who maybe were in school and then coming to the after school program afterwards that isn't. So, it, it, it would be great to have all of that covered me because it is all a childcare issue and it is an equity issue. But the way that this was originally conceived. It was only for the remote learning days. That's a good question very much center. Okay, is that that that's good. Sendering room you're all set for for now. Okay, Senator McCormick has his hand up your muted senator. Sorry. You may have already addressed this and I just didn't understand it but maybe just going over again. When we speak of a hub, that implies a hub and spokes, and it's sort of a geographical term you know you have a centralized something and then you get satellites out there. How local can we get the services how just physically geographically close to people count can we get childcare after school services. So the questions that we ask in the initial survey is which schools do the, you know, does the hub expect to draw from, and many of the entities that we're looking at are very local. There, some of them are using school buildings where there is space, even with their remote learning days, or they're working closely with the school for a building next door. We are we are really focused on that that local level. There are some entities that have come in that serve or draw either employees or clientele from a broader region. There may be a fitness center or something like that that has people come from multiple towns and so they're stepping forward so when we asked them about their schools, they tend to think a little bit broader because they're thinking of sort of that catchment area. The same with an employer that might be coming forward who's really looking to set up a program for their employees. Some of the hubs are also setting up at within schools or school districts really for the children of the teachers during the school day. I guess they may be pulling their teachers may come from a lot of different towns so the children in that particular location would come from a lot of different towns, but the idea is that it's where the teachers are working. So they bring their children with them. But we are trying to avoid I think maybe what you're getting at Senator is having a hub that's, you know, 3060 miles away from thinking that they can transport their children there. Yeah, trying to get I may be making too much of the word hub on this committee we deal with hub and spokes largely with drug issues. And there it is a geographical kind of term. Okay, so so you would have a lot of thickness so is this going to be like Rutland would be a hub and then Chittenden Menden Pittsburgh would be spokes or I don't see how how it works. We will have, I can say that like we're looking at a number of different entities in Rutland that all may be hubs, because they because of the capacity that's needed and what they can serve the same within Chittenden County. There'll be potential hub sites in Burlington, as well as surrounding towns. So we're not expecting there just to be one giant hub in all of Chittenden County that will draw children from all over. So I think it is different than the the other model. Okay, okay. Yeah, I don't want to obsess on one word and get confused because so White River Junction would be a hub but Sharon might be a hub as well. So if, if the need is there. So if the school days are remote and if the need is there and if we can be successful in finding a partner and space and all those pieces there. There will be challenges like I said and there may be parts of the state that we don't, we can't reach, you know if there really isn't a partner if there isn't a safe building. I'm really concerned. Those are the areas that keep me up at night. And right now what we're trying to do is move forward everybody else as we can get them going. So I think we're moving forward the first set we're dealing with kind of the next that have some tricky issues and then we're going to get to the third sort of layer where we'll really have to dive in deep and call on partners to step forward and have community meetings and so forth. And we're all trying to do it like yesterday. Yeah, of course, right. That's the challenge. Thanks. Thank you. Okay, Senator Cummings, go ahead. Thank you. I still would like to see some kind of a map. So I have some, you know, idea we seem to be all of this is talking about who's willing to come forward and set up and I was thinking of pods, not hubs. I bought some kind of a childcare facility. I'm on the other end, I'm hearing from parents who don't know what they're going to do next week. I've got two grandkids come in two days this week, because there's nowhere else for them to go. It's still iffy on the days off even with parents taking vacation and juggling and doing other things. I heard from a woman yesterday who's worked, you know, really hard to better herself get an education get a good job. She's finally got a good job and she loves it. And she may have to give it up because she can't find childcare and her husband's a farmer and he's got to be out harvesting. How are we letting parents know that there is childcare available. I mean, nothing's in the white pages anymore or the yellow pages. Are schools, you know, is there communication or the schools telling you which parents have trouble to the parents know they should tell the school. How, how are we, how are we connecting the parents with the hubs, the pods, whatever we're calling them. And how do we know where there's holes by next week and probably by a month ago. I am. I'm just waiting to see if. Render Jeffrey want to step in. I will say that the sites that we're working with. They're moving through the grant process with DCF and the conversations with us at the same time they are working on hiring at the same time they're working on registration. So a number of them are already filling slots even though they don't have a confirmed grant to be a hub because that's the kind of timing and that's the kind of world we live in. So, I would say locally they're reaching out to families and working with the schools to get those slots filled and as, as we get closer and closer to the start of the school year. We also, the state already has in place the childcare referral specialists, and that's where we continue to point families to them, and they will have all the information on the hubs as they come online to add to sort of the landscape, have those conversations and the reason we're using that existing system for families is because that landscape is changing all the time so you know a family may need to know, you know, who they can, you know, get to for care next week, and the hub is going to be ready the week after or something like that so we're trying to stay within the existing system that the state already has there. Now I guess my question is, when I think of children and families, okay, that to me is connected to the state which is connected to welfare it's connected to low income. What do I as a middle class parent who has never needed childcare before because my kids have been in school five days a week and I've had somebody that stayed with them or an after school program. How do I even know that there's a childcare referral specialist is somebody passing out are the schools. How do I. How do I know that. Senator Cummings. I think I can answer that question. And we certainly have that concern as well. And that's why we have been sending out a very clear message about the childcare referral network, and also the childcare financial assistance program. Through the Vermont superintendents Association to Vermont superintendents, and also through the Vermont's principles Association to Vermont's principles to share with families. And as well, we have been meeting with employers throughout the state and regional calls over the past two weeks through the regional development corporations. So that employers are also aware of the childcare for network and the childcare financial assistance program. We agree with you that it's very important that for months families are aware of these resources, because as Holly said, they are going to be critically important for the regional hubs, as well as the state's regulated childcare system. And if you wanted to add to it. Well, Steven is essentially spread out of my mouth, and I would also reiterate what he said about employers, because we have had employer networks come to us and say what should we do about these hubs what should we do about childcare for our employees. So we that's, we have been engaged them in conversations about what we're doing, and reiterated the importance of there's childcare referral specialists as local childcare referral specialists. So that employers can say their employees, you should call this number you should talk to these referral specialists because it's not just about the hubs it's about the continuum of childcare options which may be available and maybe most appropriate for your situation as a family currently. We do have a map. Senator. So, I'm like happy to report that I don't know if that's, I could share a screen and show it now or I could send it sent it to the committee I think I'm a visual learner. And when people call me it's helpful for me to see if there's dots in Washington County or not. So I can say well I see there's 10 dots here. So there's something and if you call this number. They can help you figure out what they are. Okay, so I if it's okay with the chair. I could send the map know that it's a work in progress map. Right so it will have it identifies the initial 12 and then it's you know shows the 20 that are still in progress it doesn't yet show the 40 that are behind that. We can also make sure that you have the number for the resource referral childcare specialist at your fingertips so that you can. Share that okay really helpful because I could share that on things like front porch form. Sure. That would be good. Okay, and and I think the most important. Well, one of the important pieces for our constituents to understand is that this is for school aged children. It's not every gap for childcare. Right. Okay. Our committee, Senator Cummings, do you have other questions? No, that would be very helpful. Good. Yes, that would be extremely helpful. And knowing that it will change radically every single minute. Yeah, we get that this is what we have now and there's more coming. All right, right. It's good to know that there's, there's some boots on the ground right now, Senator Westman you wonder. Yeah, the backup to that would be the communications that you've had with the school districts and the superintendent's offices, and what you're trying to to accomplish any backup that you have to that to follow the map. We can use to explain to our constituents and explain what's going on. And if you sent that to the committee, they could put it up on our website too. That would be helpful. Is that possible. We can certainly provide that you can make sure it gets up to the committee. And I think as as compact information as possible, would be used very helpful. We'll put it up on our webpage, and then we'll be able to share it with folks who are going forward. So, I do have some questions and I was as you, and first of all I want to thank you, each one of you for for the work that you're doing this is. This is not easy. This is like juggling swords. You do it. But I do have some questions and it really relates to the role that we may be able to play in facilitating some of this and knowing that the timing is probably not great because everything has to have Senator McCormick said has to happen a month ago. But having said that. Thank you for the last question first which as you mentioned a Miranda mentioned the concept of paving the way through towns zoning issues and related permitting stuff. Who is is the is DCF taking the lead on that with individual towns municipalities. How is that all sugaring off. Madam chair. So, we are using our licenses to help support so really taking the lead from the hub sites if they are not having any issues with accessing those permits themselves and we're following their lead if they need assistance that's when we will work with our other state agencies to see what support we can provide we've already had a meeting with the agency of natural resources, just to see what support they might be able to provide during this time. I just understood that it is very quick timing. Well, I'm, I'm thinking that there may be some blanket. We can offer some blanket provisions through the legislature that would ease this. The process for these hubs or pods to go into effect. That's one but then you also mentioned that some of the places some of the organizations you're looking to make more permanent. So, if we were to offer something that supports an organization during COVID, the COVID emergency process. That would not help for the long term and I'm just trying to sort out how that's being balanced but, and if there is some legislative work that we could do that would, you know, be sort of the, the temporary permitting permit or whatever is needed. I have, I have you thought of that as a possibility. If I may respond. I think at this point in time we haven't, we have not to my knowledge, we have not seen any widespread systemic issues for going zoning or things that might require a bigger legislative fix. So that is something that we're keeping an eye on where there might be some of those more systemic obstacles that are making it harder to open parks. But to date, I don't think we have seen anything that would require that level of attention, or we will keep you informed if we do. Okay, that's helpful. And then, and then the other one I think very much related to this is you're talking about which elements of licensure to relax for some of these organizations or places, hubs. So, have you got a list of those licensure requirements that you're looking to relax over a period of time. And if so, are there some that we should be looking at, I, or are they all going through a rule making process is this going to be an emergency rulemaking process. How is this going to sort itself out. And the approach that DCF is taking is to create a new exempt category within the regulated system for these regional hubs. That includes requesting waivers from our federal partners, and also making amendments or writing amendments for the federal partners to approve to our state plan. Will there be any effect at all on the on the state. regulations. We're certainly going to keep an eye on that. And if there are any effects, then we will certainly look the committee now. Well, the sooner the sooner the better I'm thinking that we disappear within the next couple of weeks. So anything that has to happen should happen quickly and I know that a lot of these places will be opened up by the time we're adjourned for the session. So it's important. I think it's really important to stay connected. But thank you. That's good. I would also offer that in addition to those kind of bigger regulatory, you know, official areas that we're looking at, I think part of what we're also doing is trying to make sure that the actual process is fast and efficient for folks who are contacting the department regarding licensing questions or, or challenging. So I think we want to prioritize there so that we can make sure that we're helping our community partners stand these sites up as quickly as possible without unnecessary red tape. While of course keeping in mind the safety of children. Okay. Again, I think it would be very helpful for us to see exactly what is happening. So we have a clear understanding of what the licensure requirements are and then I'm going to ask a question about the grants process in a minute and similarly with the grants. Right now it's a what we're hearing is better than we were. I think what we're learning is better than what we learned last week. We're trying to become familiar with what you're doing and it is hard work and but there if there are ways that we can help that's really what we're looking. That's really what we're looking for. So, I have a couple more questions. One, you mentioned family center homes. I think Gregory Pippinger mentioned that is this is the are the changes there more than the four hours for our change that we're looking for legislatively or other things that you're looking for in terms of allowing the family centered homes to participate. More. Thank you, Senator Alliance I believe that the bill as most recently drafted would cover the needs that we've identified. Thank you. Okay. Okay, that's good. And then you, you mentioned that the, the grants would flow through the after school program. So, and so that begins to raise questions for me about what the criteria are within the grants, and you have mentioned some of those a bit, but, and then you've also indicated that you'd like to see this move move as smoothly and as quickly as possible. And some of the grants that I've, that I'm hearing about not in DCF but in other, other parts of the agency have been extremely difficult and complex for people. So how, can you just talk a little bit about what, what's the bottom line for for the grant criteria, what exactly is in there and how do we both ensure the safety of both of kids as well then as some efficiencies. And will it be possible for us to look at the grant application itself and the information that's required. So, if I may, I will clarify that the grants will actually be issued out through the child development division. They won't go through from after school so from after school has elevated those that they feel would be a good hub site partner, and then the child development division would be deciding the child development decision. So the requirements are numerous. I will say just because the CCDF and you'll have to excuse me I haven't learned all the acronyms of this new division yet. So, perhaps, Deputy Commissioner. Join the club. I do apologize so I can find that out for you. But so there are numerous and it's really around the safety, making sure that the staff at these sites will have the education that they need that background checks which we are also hoping to help people expedite have happened. So we will provide trainings once we kind of let the dust that a little bit starting in mid September for the staff members, the mandated reporter training is already something that staff and access online at their leisure. There are a number of requirements but I think what I'm talking about when I'm talking to the managers that were here to be a good partner. I apologize because this is new to a lot of the providers that haven't worked within the regulated system. So, in the end, I apologize because there are I think several pages where so I can't give you great details with those are but it really is around ensuring the safety of the children, which I think that's what, when we're looking to process as quick as we can. So I'm hoping within the next invite early next week that we would have some grants there's not actually a grant application so this process has been a little bit different for the providers. It has been that you have provided information to promote after school we've paired that with the school district. And then this makes sense because there's a need and we have a provider who can meet that need. So it is a little bit different there will just be the grant that comes out of this not a grant application. If I can add on to that so it, it is a different process than where most of our organizations are used to having like a competitive grant process announced and there's an application and you fill out the application and there's a deadline. And you move through that process. This is a little bit different in that we're taking all the inquiries to those 160 inquiries. And we're working our way through what we're looking for is geography so where they're located and what the school schedules are and how that matches and the need in those areas we're looking at the capacity of the organization how many children do they think they can serve. And we're elevating ones that can serve larger numbers first and then then we'll do another round to where there's additional need. The readiness of the organization so you know like if it's a licensed childcare center already if it's a youth sorting organization if it's a parks and rec department or an after school program that already works in the space if they already have space secured that they know that's going to work, where they have that in progress. So readiness as a piece and then kind of the complexity there's some areas of the state where a lot of players are coming forward and we're trying to figure out do they join together and it's one hub with different spokes to use Senator McCormick saying our different mini house within it or are they all separate and they just operate completely separately so with everyone we're not really weeding anybody out based on criteria we're working through every scenario and trying to come up with the best scenario some people are dropping out during that process because they get into it. And they're like no actually we don't want it or like I said, they came forward and it turns out they want to offer space but they don't actually want to offer the program themselves and then we're trying to see if there's a partner that we can partner with them but then with often their plans are also changing as we move through these conversations so we have they submit one thing and saying they can serve 50 kids and then when we get on the phone with them and we're talking about the funding and the need in their community they start to think oh but if I added this site, then I could serve 100 children. And so they're, we call them profiles of what they are able to do develops and changes over time. And once we get them through where they feel steady enough and we think they're ready then we hand them on to Miranda. And she takes it to that next stage where they're working with a licensor and confirming the space and the safety. And then we go back to the pile and start pulling up the next that the next sort of group. So that's that's kind of how this process is is working right now. And so in the process, you're looking at things like air circulation so the kids are kept healthy similar to the way that schools are have, you know, improve their HVAC HVAC systems. Are you thinking about, huh, there's so much to think about. And you said you were working closely with the Department of Health so all of the Department of Health guidelines are in place. Yes, they just updated the guidelines yesterday for childcare and add a school time care to capture these hubs and these remote learning days and we have a state call tomorrow that Miranda is going to be on as well as Dr. Brina Holmes to answer any questions for the potential hubs about the health care guidelines and how to run programs and so forth. If I might. Okay. In for a moment. Go ahead. Go ahead, Miranda. Sorry. No problem. Thank you very much. I just wanted to offer that when the grant is finalized, which we hope will be within the next few days, I would be happy to share that with the committee. Excellent. Yeah, that's good. It's a, there are a lot of moving parts and one of them is the grant and the other is all the places that are coming in so it's, it's, it's tough. You're, you're doing an amazing amount of work in a short period of time. I do have another question and this is related to funding funding parody for these after school programs as compared with those that are currently in place so these are new. And then the, the reimbursement or the payment rate for folks who are participating in these new programs. I know I've had questions from childcare providers that oh, they, you know, the, the new programs are going to be receiving that the workers will be receiving more money than what we currently receive. Are you seeing how is that being. That's one question. The other question I'm going to ask about is how parents, the CC FAP and how parents are being evaluated. So, there we go. I'll just throw those two areas out for you to comment on. So I can speak to the subsidy first, if that would be all right. Our childcare referral specialists are well versed so not only are we trying to direct parents there to learn what existing childcare options there are where the hub sites will be but they also are able to connect families to see if they're financially eligible for the subsidy support so we're hoping by directing families there as much as we can that they will be able to have all of their needs met in one way. And then in terms of the budget that we've seen, it does vary a bit we have some of the first 12 that what comes to mind is that there's some in kind staff so the school systems have been able to offer some staff that will be able to go and assist in the hubs. So that has certainly reduced the cost and I think it. It is what is the cost of the program is what will ultimately decide what the cost the expenses to parents. So it does range of it. I think a lot of the providers that we're looking to utilize are also used to running free programs if possible so I think that they're trying to also look and see what other partnerships do they have with schools, or other entities to be able to make this as affordable as they can for parents. Is there anything that I missed there. Just want to back you up on the staffing issue. Senator lines. Staffing is a challenge in early childcare programs after school programs in schools right now so this week we are, you know, hoping to roll out a statewide campaign that really promotes the value of working with children and youth and looking at the challenges and how to move more people into the field, rather than poach staff from existing programs that then move over because if we do that all we've done is we shifted staff around we haven't actually solved a capacity problem. And when we first met I think the very first meeting we have with Vermont after school and let's grow kids was there and DCF. You know, all of us very clearly agree that what we're trying to do is set up a system that meets the current need, but does not harm in any way the existing system that's there and actually results in a stronger landscape going forward across the board for childcare all the way through zero, you know, through, I will say, through 18 but in this case, you know, through, through 10, through sixth grade, 10 to 12 year olds so we are taking a lot of care with how that that rolls out. So the programs themselves when they submit their budgets there as a manic described there, there's a lot of variety, depending on who their fiscal agent is, and how they're set up. They are also very conscious of so number of them already run existing programs so they also don't want to just shift staff from one place to another. And then we get deeper into those areas where there are not enough programs yet and not enough existing staff. I think that will be interesting to look at and maybe we can come back and talk further about what do we have to do in those areas where there weren't existing partners coming forward where we we couldn't build off an existing infrastructure what do we have to do there, you know to make it work because I think it will look different than what we're doing this week on the on the first set that are coming forward. So I don't have a simple answer but I do know that we are all in agreement that we're not. We don't want to challenge the existing system. There isn't added challenge I will say with many of these providers the school age care providers. They were not part of the stabilization funds that happened earlier on in March and so forth that that was for early childhood. That didn't happen for the school age for the after school providers so many of them did have to furlough or let staff go so there is also that added hump that some of them are facing of how to ramp up. And fill in those staff positions in line with the school year so it's a it's to me that is the sticky the stickiest problem I think within the whole project and one that we really are trying to put a good attention to. All right, I'd like to just emphasize by Mac, I just like to emphasize a point that Holly made regarding. If we do this, if we do this right, and if we do it well, we're going to end up strengthening the system in the long run, right, by the focus that we're putting on this right now the resources that we're putting on it and the attention that it's all getting. Along with that, I think, whether this is helpful or not remains to be seen, but I think one way of looking at this is that with any luck, right if we're fortunate this is a temporary initiative. Right there were that during during the pandemic, when we have a need for remote learning days at some point in the future there may be a hopefully a time when we don't need remote learning days anymore. But so, so, when we think about that as a temporary piece, depending on what the temperature temporary is, I mean, once it could be much longer than that, but I think we're really looking at this as a surge right this is a surge effort in terms of resources and staffings to meet this challenge. But again if we can do it right, it'll help us on the other side of this. I do back that it's a surge effort. But I also that how we become stronger because it's a surge effort until the next school vacation week, and then there's working families with no care for that week or until the 10 weeks of next summer. So it is a surge right now learning days but I'm hoping that we can be clever and intentional so that we don't families don't face it again, like, you know that underlying problem has always been there. This gives us a chance to address it in this surge capacity, but hopefully we learn lessons from that the carry forward. And again, I just bring up S3 35 as a way to get a group up and planning now for what happens after the surge effort. You know as 30, 3, make 335 creates you know the task force to look at this issue specifically. And if there's a way to get it through before you all adjourn. We could actually have a group over the next four months, thinking about what happens after the surge and after this initiative ends, so that we are in a stronger place. Okay that you did mention that early on, but that it's good to reinforce that I think for all of us. And my last question for now is related to content, and I, you know, the work that after school has done has been very significant in our prevention efforts and I'm wondering how you're evaluating the program content that's coming to you. So the first step with content relates to the training of a schedule the staff training that that Miranda started to outline there, there are the required trainings around mandated reporting and so forth but we also have put together a series of various plus different workshops that will all be available free online, virtually for staff and all of the hubs that focus on social emotional learning trauma and form practice use mental health and first aid a child development to make sure that the only way to have the youth outcomes is to do quality programming and I think that's what you're getting at. So it's not just about the space and the staff being there it's actually what are you doing with the children and, and what, what types of activities, and how you're supporting really, you know we are all dealing with trauma right now, right and we're dealing with a lot of uncertainties. And so it's, it's really important to us that when staff move into these hubs and these hubs open up, as well as our regular after school programs and use serving organizations, everybody's ready to interact with children and families and understand how to do that when they've been under the stresses in front of them. We've also held a statewide forum. A few weeks ago with Auburn water song that was on vicarious trauma and burnout and we had folks from all across the state and all kinds of use serving organizations participate in that. And, and we will have a number of high profile speakers that we were not doing our regular conference this year. We're doing a series of high profile speakers throughout the year that will all be coming in and talking about diversity and and supporting children and youth so we hope that the hubs will be part of that that training series as well. And as far as their base programming, we do have experts on staff to work with them. If they are not already an experienced school aged care childcare provider on what a schedule would look like what kind of activities, how to support. We're facing the education the education Dave and responsibility sits firmly with the schools and the school system, but how do we support learning and making sure that the activities in the hubs are engaging and have kids thinking and problem solving and, you know, and working with their hands and moving and all those kinds of pieces so we will be following up as they come online and as they solidify their plans, both on the training and on the programming in the sites. And I guess, what important to us is that this is all becomes standardized. So that as the program, as you said, we're building a program for the future in many ways. And I know how that after school already has done a lot of this so it would be it would be great to maintain the partnerships that you have with AOE and DCF and doh so that this can build for the future. Okay, I think my senator McCormick has has his hand up and I know he's, are you there senator. Yeah, yeah, thanks. All right, you've had your hand up for a while. Thanks. Well, you. I had already spoken with so second time up. I just want to make sure that I'm hearing correctly other than s3 35. I have not heard in the ask, are you are you're saying this is there you're reporting to us on what you're able to do within your administrative discretion under existing law or are you asking for legislation as well. All right, thank you for that question. We are not asking for additional legislation at this time. Okay, I should take this as a report. And the other question I have is, is a lot of this need is COVID related how much COVID money do you have. Can you use for this. Jeffrey, would you mind giving me or would you kindly give a quick summary. Sure. It's approximately $12 million in Sierra. Okay. Those are my questions, madam chair. Thank you. Right. So this is the. Thank you, Senator for reminding us about the $12 million because that what started this off really was the request at joint fiscal committee for $12 million and then an understanding that the policy committees both the house human services and our committee will review the programs and look to see if there's any guidance that we would like to provide for the distribution of the funds that we're talking about. There is one bill in the house that that relates to the family centered homes to extend the number of hours that those folks can serve kids a school aged kids so that that bill is being developed as we speak in house human services. And we may see additional information, you know, additional legislation in that bill or related legislation that we will take up when it gets to us and that should get to us pretty quickly because this is this is an emergency in many ways. Senator Ingram you have your hand up. Thank you. How did you say as the 335 is in house education. Now, yes, that's my understanding. Yeah, I don't know what we can do. I've already written that down and we'll, we'll see where it is and what's happening and I'll talk with the chair. It's, I don't know that it was listed as a priority piece of legislation by the house but you can check with the chair of education and I will as well as to whether or not it was listed. Yes, it is an important bill. Appreciate that. Thank you. Okay. Committee any other questions for Deputy Commissioner, Rebecca or Jeffrey Pippinger or Miranda Gray, or Holly Morehouse. We're beginning to get an understanding of the. I wasn't going to call it chaos, but there's a lot going on that you are juggling and we greatly appreciate that. It sounds difficult. And it is difficult. I think it all. I'll close down to the questions that Senator Cummings was asking about the individual family and how they know when and where they can access the care that they need for their kids who are now in hybrid learning. It is, it is a COVID issue so I think we certainly can support the use of COVID funds for this. Our concern is it that it's done correctly adequately and equitably, and that our kids are kept safe in the process so appreciate all the work that you're doing. Any other comments that anyone would like to make before we finish our work. All right, sounds good. Thank you. I'm sorry, Holly, that you won't be having your annual meeting. But it sounds like you're going to be doing some great things otherwise. Yes, I'm going to wear, I will wear my cape the next time that we're together. Please do. We appreciate your support and appreciate the silver lining that you pointed out about the close partnerships with the state agencies. Very important. Yep. Thank you very much for this time. Okay, committee. I have one other thing to talk about with you about Senator McCormick you have your hand up so why don't you know, okay, it just hasn't lowered. That's okay. Is there. Are there any other comments on this. Okay, I want to switch over. I see Senator Westman has not. It's not here. Okay, I just wanted to talk briefly about s 252 before we signed off but I don't feel necessary to do that right now so we'll do that tomorrow. When we're back together at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. So, in the tradition of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. We're finishing early. And not because we're neglecting our duties, but because that's just the way we work. Thanks all again, and we'll, we'll end the meeting today and we'll come back tomorrow morning, unless someone has something else. Okay. Thank you all. We can. We can leave. Take care. Thank you.