To provide updated information to all Licensed Child Care Facilities and other Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs participating in Keystone STARS, as described in ELRC Announcement 20 #14 and ELRC Announcement 20 #18. 

Background

As of June 15, 2021, the Governor Wolf’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency ended. The policy ELRC Announcement 20 #14 and ELRC Announcement 20 #18 provided guidance for the Keystone STARS and was linked to the duration of that Disaster Proclamation or last fiscal year.

Discussion

In order to be responsive to transitions resulting from the end of the Disaster Proclamation on June 15, 2021, this announcement serves as communication that all policies and procedures identified in ELRC Announcement 20 #14 will continue until the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) issues a separate announcement rescinding this policy. It is OCDEL’s intent to continue ELRC Announcement 20 #14 until June 2022.

All information in ELRC Announcement 20 #18 will remain in effect until September 30, 2021, when it will end.

Next Steps 

1. Child care programs 
• Direct any questions to your ELRC. 
2. ELRCs a. Review and share with appropriate staff. 
• Continue to follow the accompanying ELRC Policy Communication 20 #11 and ELRC Policy Communication 20 #21 
• ELRC Policy Communication 20 #21 will end September 30, 2021. 
3. Direct any question to your program representative.