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ASG subsidized daycare centers slated to reopen on Monday

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Source: DHSS press release

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After Governor Lolo M. Moliga, issued the Sixth Amended Declaration, DHSS Director Muavaefa’atasi John E. Suisala issued a press release advising all parents whose children are enrolled at any of the twenty-three daycare centers subsidized through the American Samoa Child Care Program, that these centers are scheduled to reopen effective Monday.

However, the press release noted, parents whose children are enrolled at Levalasi’s Daycare in Nu’uuli should contact the DHSS Child Care Division office to confirm if this facility will be opening Monday.

Most, if not all, of these centers operate from 6:00a.m – 6:00p.m on Mondays through Fridays. Also, as a result to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DHSS Child Care Division has and continues to work with each daycare provider to implement heightened health and safety practices and protocols, as recommended by the CDC specifically for child care settings.

“We will be monitoring each center to ensure these are implemented consistently to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, including but not limited to COVID-19,” the release stressed.

Finally, Director Muavaefa’atasi reminded all parents that with the daycare centers re- opening, In-Home Child Care assistance is an option that is now being made available but only to parents/ legal guardians who are (1) verified essential critical infrastructure workers and (2) are subject to a 24/7 shift schedule (meaning most of their work hours on weekdays are between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and/ or they have to work during the weekend). If you are a two-parent household, both of you must meet these minimum criteria to apply for

In-Home Child Care. Priority will be given to essential workers who provide critical services in the areas of health care and public health, law enforcement/ public safety, and other first responders.

Parents who were approved for In-Home Child Care assistance effective June 1, 2020 must also meet the aforementioned criteria to maintain these services.

 “If you do not satisfy these requirements, you will have until July 30th, 2020 to select a daycare center to which your child can transfer, if you wish to continue receiving subsidized child care assistance. Otherwise, your In- Home Child Care Services will be discontinued on August 1, 2020,” the release quoted.

For more information about the re-opening of daycare centers or In-Home Child Care assistance, please contact the Child Care Division at 633-1571/ 1572/ 1573.