DCDEE annually dedicates federal child care funding to activities supporting families with young children and school-age children experiencing homelessness. DCDEE will be releasing a Request For Applications (RFA) later this year to continue meeting the requirements of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Final Rule. Watch in upcoming months for a Summary Notice of Funding Availability.   

October is National Fire Prevention Month. 

Saying goodbye to summer means saying hello to fall: students go back to school; leaves change colors; and of course, cooler weather! While temperatures outside may be dropping, we would like to take a moment to discuss a hot topic in child care--fire safety.

This edition of "Be On the Safe Side" is inspired in part by an event that took place at a child care facility in Pennsylvania this past August--a fire in an overnight family child care home that resulted in the tragic death of five children sleeping inside.  This article is difficult but provides an opportunity to review the child care rules in place to help PREVENT such fires. The rules also act as a guide as you PREPARE for a potential fire-related emergency and help PROTECT the lives of the children in our care.