COVID-19 Update - Fairgrounds and Liberty Gardens remain open
COVID-19 UPDATE 3/18/2020 HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW: SCDC’s Board of Directors has met and discussed the school closures, social distancing directives & what the implications are for our families, our staff & the future of SCDC. Salem Child Development Center has operated childcare programs in the Willamette Valley for over 50 years and we intend to continue serving our community for many years to come. To that end, families are still welcome to request any unused 19-20 school year vacation credits for March, however, for the longevity of our organization, the stability of our workforce and the uncertainty of the near future, we are unable to offer any further tuition relief for the month of March. If you are having difficulty paying your tuition, we encourage you to apply for the State of Oregon’s Employment Related Daycare Credit (ERDC), which pays for working families’ childcare tuition. Governor Kate Brown has increased the income limit for this program from 185% of the poverty level to 250% ($5899 per month for a family of four). This program will also pay to hold your childcare spot if you are currently unable to work. Contact your local DHS Office for application information. In light of the governor’s announcement to keep K-12 schools closed through April 28th we have again reached out to the school district to determine whether they will let us return to the school facilities and offer school age care. Once we receive a response from the district a decision about SCDC’s April programs, availability and tuition will be made by March 25th. Our hope is to be able to offer full day childcare for our families, at minimum to those with a qualifying need, such as first responders, health care workers and essential employees. As of this morning our Fairgrounds Rd. and Liberty Gardens locations remain in operation for our Early Learning students. We do ask families to adhere to the governor’s directive to “implement strong social distancing”. If you do not require care to attend work, for everyone’s safety and the good of our community please keep your children at home. Payment of your normal monthly tuition is required to retain your child’s current enrollment. Please visit our website for the most up-to-date program status. We will share information as soon as we are able. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this difficult time. Salem Child Development Center