Dear Child Care Provider,
I want to update you on two important issues that may affect your household and child care program: the state''s COVID-19 rent relief program and the dangers of hand sanitizers with methanol. COVID Rent Relief Program: This information comes from New York State''s website.
The COVID Rent Relief Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household's landlord. Rental assistance payment:
This payment will cover the difference between the household's rent burden on March 1, 2020, and the increase in rent burden for the months the household is applying for assistance. Households can apply for up to four months in rental assistance. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance. Eligibility: This program is not first-come, first-served. Applications will be accepted throughout the two-week application period. The state Homes and Community Renewal agency will prioritize eligible households with the "greatest economic and social need" accounting for income, rent burden, percent of income lost and risk of homelessness.
For more information, please visit the website.
Apply online now »
If you need help with your application, please call the COVID Rent Relief Program Call Center (open Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.) at 1-833-499-0318 or email covidrentrelief@hcr.ny.gov.
Applications are available in multiple languages including Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Korean and Bengali. FDA Warning: Dangers of Hand Sanitizers With Methanol
The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning to consumers and health care providers about hand sanitizer products that contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but have tested positive for methanol contamination. Methanol (i.e., methyl alcohol or wood alcohol) is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin or ingested and can be life-threatening when ingested. The FDA has identified more than two dozen hand sanitizers that are toxic when absorbed through the skin.
The FDA website states,"Methanol is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizers and must not be used due to its toxic effects," which can include nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, permanent blindness and seizures. It also notes that "young children who accidentally ingest these products and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute are most at risk" for methanol poisoning.
For more information, please read the FDA''s full update about hand sanitizers with methanol.
Thank you for taking the time to read these updates. Stay safe and healthy. In solidarity, Tammie Miller UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter Chair |