Information & Resources for Members Impacted by Fire & Windstorm Emergency

January 15 

The LA County ECE Emergency Response Team has been activated for the 2025 Wildfire and will be holding a webinar on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 10:00 am. Register at https://first5la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4Ysp1TRRSxWY86ivW_nslA .

The agenda will include the following items:
1. LA County ECE Emergency Response Team 2025 Wildfires Plan
2. Cleaning up your ECE Facility after the fire
3. News from the State: Emergency Orders, CDSS PINs, and Program Guidance
4. Questions and opportunity to share support needed.

January 10

Providers may be reimbursed for up to 30 days from the actual date of the state-declared emergency

Gov. Newsom issued an executive order that agencies and local government entities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties that are directly impacted as a result of this emergency and contract with the California Department of Social Services to operate Alternative Payment Programs, Migrant Alternative Payment Programs, CalWORKs Stages 1, 2 and 3 Programs, Emergency Child Care Bridge Programs or Family Child Care Home Education Network Programs may be reimbursed for up to 30 days from the actual date of the state-declared emergency, using the most recently certified record/invoice available, when no attendance record or invoice is available as a result of this emergency. Contracting agencies or facilities may be reimbursed for approvable startup costs in an amount in excess of 15 percent of the agency’s total contract amount only when costs are used to expand or increase a contracting agency’s total contract amount, is suspended for contracting agencies directly impacted as a result of this emergency in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The Department may reimburse approvable startup costs for impacted child care and development agencies or facilities pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10300(a) even if the startup costs are not used to expand or increase the impacted contractor’s total contract amount. Learn more

Contract Protections for Providers During Emergencies

Our current contract supports providers in crises like this. Our contract includes a provision that allows us to negotiate over the impact of a declared state of emergency and we will continue to address what providers need with the state. We are enforcing our contract’s provision that providers be paid by enrollment and not attendance to ensure that providers who have had to temporarily close or who are caring for fewer children as a result of the fires do not lose pay. For more information on subsidy payments and licensing information for providers in Los Angeles and other areas visit CCPU’s social media pages or SEIU Local 99’s webpage

Child Care Providers Licensing and Payment Questions

What to know regarding modified payment due to this emergency. 

• If schools are closed due to an emergency such as this and providers are providing additional care hours than during a typical school day: providers can be paid according to the child’s vacation schedule, record the actual hours the child is present and note on payment forms that it is due to emergency or school closure, to be paid for the child’s certified need for a vacation schedule.
• If providers are closed or some children are not present, providers should still be paid according to certified need. Note on payment forms that you (or impacted families) were closed/absent due to the fire emergency. See section 7.5 of the CCPU contract for more on this policy.

What do you need to communicate to licensing if you are licensed?

• Licensed providers are urged to update licensing about any changes to their facilities, including closing due to evacuation or other fire-related reasons.
• PIN has more info here
  • If you haven’t received emails, texts or calls from Licensing and you are under an evacuation order or your operation is impacted by the fires:
  • Please contact your regional office and let them know the status of your facility: impacted but still can operate; will not be able to operate; has been evacuated or damaged; not impacted.
• Look up the number for your Regional Office here.
• Exceeding licensed capacity is not currently approved. The Governor’s most recent emergency declaration allows the DSS director to waive limits for providers to  exceed capacity to meet child care needs during this emergency but that has not happened as of 7am on Jan 9. Any waiver would be posted on CDSS website, or email if you would like to receive an update if a waiver is granted.

Resources for Providers

Reach out to your local R&R to see if they have resources to support
There are some resources that R&Rs may have to support (ex: blankets, diapers, toiletries). Here are the agencies connected to the key fire areas

• CCRC – 818-717-1000 ext. 4215, ext. 4228, ext. 4115 or ext. 4103
• Connections for Children– 310 425-3325
  • Advocacy issue cases, reach out to — Jennifer Cowan Executive Director 310-452-3325; ext: 201
• Options for Learning– If you or someone you know needs assistance finding shelter, child care, medical care, or other resources, contact  888-249-8979 for free referrals and information.
  • Advocacy issue cases, reach out to  Candy Meade Subsidized Division Director (626) 856-5900 ext. 8809

For additional resources, questions or support, call the CCPU Provider Resource Center (PRC) to speak with a Provider Resource Specialist at 888-583-CCPU (2278).

Compton Unified Update

Due to unhealthy air quality, all Compton Unified School District (CUSD) school sites and district offices were closed, January 9, 2025.

Your Protections:
Our contract with CUSD ensures that no worker loses pay, hours, or benefits due to closures or hazardous conditions. It is the district’s responsibility to provide a safe work environment.

If conditions become unsafe at your worksite, document the issue and report it to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99. If you are asked to work under unsafe conditions or have questions about pay, complete the Request for Emergency Fire Assistance form on this page or contact SEIU Local 99 Organizer Manny Rangel at (213) 503-8555.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates. Stay safe.

January 10th

Essential Worker Compensation and Safety Protections for SEIU Local 99 Members at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD)

SMMUSD schools remain closed due to the firestorm. Schools in Malibu will remain closed on Monday, and Santa Monica Schools might be closed, but the decision won’t come until Sunday. It is important to highlight that our contract with SMMUSD ensures workers are protected from unsafe working conditions. No member shall lose pay, hours, or benefits due to school closures or relocations caused by wind, fires, or other dangerous worksite conditions.

The Safety Article in our contract with SMMUSD states that the “District shall maintain and provide a safe work environment.” This obligation remains in place at all times, including during the current wind and fire conditions.

Additionally, under a recently finalized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), essential workers who were required to physically report into work during the January 2025 wildfires will receive additional compensation:

• $100 stipend per day for on-site work from January 8–10, 2025.
• Overtime pay for on-site work on January 11 and/or 12, 2025.

Who Qualifies as an Essential Worker?
Essential workers are classified employees required to perform duties on-site during the wildfire crisis. This includes staff working at Grab-and-Go Food Locations, clearing hazards, or distributing technology.

What to Do if Conditions Are Unsafe:

• Document unsafe conditions at your worksite.
• Report the situation to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99.
• If asked to work under unsafe conditions, complete the request for emergency assistance form or contact SEIU Local 99 Organizer Margaret Williams at (213) 304-9684.

SEIU Local 99 members play critical roles in maintaining safety and continuity during crises. This MOU acknowledges the challenges and contributions of essential workers while ensuring safety remains a priority for all.

January 9th

Safety Protections in Our Contract with SMMUSD
SMMUSD schools continue to be closed due to the firestorm and it is important to note that our contract with SMMUSD ensures that workers are protected from working in unsafe conditions. No member shall lose pay, hours or other benefits because of school closures or relocations due to wind, fires or other dangerous conditions at the worksite.

The Safety Article in our contract with SMMUSD states that the “District shall maintain and provide a safe work environment … “ It is the responsibility of the district to ensure the safety of workers at all times, including during the current wind and fire conditions. 

As we continue to address the changing fire and wind situation, note that if conditions become unsafe at your school or worksite, document it, and report it to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99.  No one should lose pay due to the unsafe conditions created by the wind and fire storms. 

If you are asked to work in unsafe conditions, report it to SEIU Local 99 immediately by completing the Request for Emergency Fire Assistance form on this page or calling SEIU Local 99 Organizer Margaret Williams at (213) 304-9684.

List of Resources for Affected SMMUSD Families and Staff

Update for SEIU Local 99 Members at The Accelerated Schools (TAS):

The Accelerated Schools (TAS) has confirmed compensation details for employees during school closures. These measures ensure that all workers remain supported during this period:

• Hourly essential workers required to report to work will be compensated at their regular hourly rate, plus a $100 flat rate for each day worked.
• Hourly employees not required to report will continue to receive their regular hourly pay as scheduled.
• Salaried employees will continue to be paid their regular scheduled compensation.

While TAS has yet to officially communicate this information to all staff, a formal announcement from the CEO’s office is expected later today.

It is important to remember that no one should work in unsafe conditions. If conditions at your school or worksite become unsafe, document the situation and report it to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99 by filling out the Request for Emergency Fire Assistance form on this page.

If you are asked to work under unsafe conditions or have concerns about pay or workplace safety during this period, contact SEIU Local 99 immediately by completing Request for Emergency Fire Assistance form on this page.

Safety Protections in Our Contract with Options

Workers should not be required to use paid-time-off during worksite closures or order to evacuate.

While safety is the priority during these unprecedented firestorms it is also important that Options take responsible actions to ensure that workers do not suffer further harm during this emergency. Options’ recent decision to close several sites and require that workers use their Paid Time-off (PTO) for being unable to work under unsafe working conditions is reprehensible. Through our solidarity, we stood union strong. We made a demand to ensure that SEIU Local 99 members at Options who were unable to work due to worksite closures or evacuation orders receive full pay for their absences.

Our contract with Options ensures workers are protected from unsafe working conditions. Article 16 on Safety states that  “the responsibility for providing for safe working conditions which comply with applicable law, and which are within fiscal constraints, shall be Options.” It is not the responsibility of workers and therefore they should not have to pay with their benefitted time if the worksites were closed because they were unsafe. 

Members should not lose pay, paid leave, hours, or benefits due to site closures or hazardous work environments. 

What to Do:

• We need you and every one of your co-workers at Options to complete this survey to help us understand issues as we address them with the employer.

• Document unsafe conditions and report them to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99.
• If conditions remain unaddressed or if you are asked to work under unsafe circumstances, report it immediately by completing the Request for Fire Emergency Assistance form or emailing SEIU Local 99 Organizer Manny Rangel at mrangel@seiu99.org.

Options confirmed closures at several sites while others remained open. 

The following Options for Learning sites located within the Pasadena Unified School District area will remain closed through Jan. 17 unless otherwise noted:

• Arroyo
• Orange Grove (reopening Thursday, Jan. 16)
• Raymond
• Scott (Pasadena)
• Villa Parke (reopening Thursday, Jan. 16)

Stay safe, and we will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.

Fire Safety Update:
TUSD has announced that all schools will remain open as scheduled on Friday, January 10, 2025. The district is actively monitoring air quality and weather conditions in coordination with the Los Angeles County Office of Education and the Department of Public Health to ensure the safety of all staff and students.

Know Your Protections:

• Our contract ensures that no worker is required to work in unsafe conditions.
• If air quality or workplace conditions become unsafe:
  • Stay in communication with your supervisor.
  • Request an N95 or surgical mask if needed.
  • Report hazards (e.g., downed power lines, debris) to your supervisor.
• The District has committed to minimizing outdoor activities based on air quality.

If Conditions Are Unsafe:
If unsafe conditions persist or your concerns are not addressed, document the situation and report it to SEIU Local 99. 

Contact SEIU Local 99 Organizer Manny Rangel by emailing at mrangel@seiu99.org or complete the Request for Fire Emergency Assistance form available on our website.

Stay safe and prioritize your health and well-being.

Status of MAOF Centers During the Wildfire Emergency:

• Thursday, January 9, 2025:
  Five CCPS centers (Pico Rivera, Downey, Florence, Bell Gardens, and Norwalk) remained open, along with all administrative offices. Masks were provided to staff and children, and outdoor activities were restricted to minimize exposure to poor air quality.
• Friday, January 10, 2025:
  All MAOF CCPS centers in Los Angeles County were closed due to worsening air quality. Centers operating under the HS/EHS program (LACOE) were also closed as food services were disrupted by the fire’s proximity to the food provider. Staff, including nutrition aides and custodians, were assigned to work remotely during closures.
• Current Status:
  As of today, all MAOF centers have resumed operations. Air quality in affected areas has improved to “Good” or “Moderate” levels, and our primary food provider has resumed meal deliveries to service centers.

Your Contract Protections:

It’s important to note that our contract with MAOF ensures that workers are protected from unsafe conditions. No member should lose pay, hours, or benefits due to closures or hazardous conditions at the workplace.

What to Do If Conditions Become Unsafe:

• Document the issue and report it to your supervisor and SEIU Local 99.
• If conditions are not addressed, notify SEIU Local 99 immediately by filling out the Request for Fire Emergency Assistance form.

MAOF administrators have responded to air quality concerns at several locations raised by members, and we are monitoring to ensure all issues are resolved. If you have additional concerns or questions, contact Taro O’Sullivan at tosullivan@seiu99.org or 213-509-4882