Ottawa – The City’s Community and Protective Services Committee today approved an updated workplan for Children’s Services for 2021 and 2022, revised to reflect COVID-19 pandemic response and recovery.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impacts on Ottawa’s child care and early years sector, and the City is providing ongoing support to families, children and service providers. In 2020, the highlights of Children’s Services pandemic response work included emergency child care for health care and frontline workers, user-friendly online applications, streamlined access to fee subsidies for Indigenous families and priority support for children with special needs.
The updated workplan will address pandemic recovery and response actions for the rest of 2021 and 2022, including impacts to families, changing local needs and disproportionate impacts on women and groups facing systemic barriers. The City will continue to collaborate with families and child care providers on emergency response measures, closing and reopening services, and health and safety requirements. The City will also continue to support the well-being of child care workers and early childhood educators, and assist with financial pressures.
Recommendations from today’s meeting will rise to Council on Wednesday, June 23.
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