Our hearts go out to the people who have been infected by COVID-19 and those whose lives have been disrupted by this outbreak. I wanted to personally reach out to you and share an update on NAEYC’s COVID-19 response.

As always, the health and safety of the NAEYC family—members, staff, partners and volunteers—is our top priority. We are closely monitoring the reports and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as local public health organizations, and are working to ensure that we do everything we can during this rapidly changing situation.

We are particularly concerned about the significant impacts this public health crisis is likely to have on our nation's child care and early learning programs, including educators, families, and children. We have joined with dozens of other early childhood organizations in urging Congress to provide significant, targeted, and flexible emergency funding that will meet the needs of child care and early learning programs operating in all states, and across all settings. In addition, we have together asked the Administration for Children and Families to provide guidance to states that will help them take crucial steps to promote stability and continuity of care. If you are in an early childhood education program that is experiencing challenges related to COVID-19, please tell us what’s happening, so that we can continue to inform our policymakers about what’s needed to preserve the nation’s supply of essential child care and early learning programs.

We know that many of you have questions about our upcoming conferences. At this time, we are continuing to move forward with the Professional Learning Institute in New Orleans, June 7-10. Should circumstances or travel conditions change, we will update you right away.

The upcoming Week Of The Young Child (WOYC) is a virtual event for NAEYC where we celebrate and shine a spotlight on your classroom, advocacy, and family engagement activities. I look forward to seeing the social media about your celebrations April 11-17 and how we all recognize the importance of community and give hope to our children during what are uneasy times.

You can visit the CDC website for specific resources and guidance for schools and childcare programs. Our partners at Child Care Aware of America are sharing resources and holding a webinar for child care providers on Tuesday, March 17; you can register here. NAEYC members are also discussing and sharing ideas and resources in our HELLO community. We encourage you to log in to view and participate.

Thank you as always for all you do each day to support children, families, and each other.