DHS Launches COVID-19 Data Collection Tool

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has launched an online tool for licensed and approved child care providers to report COVID-19 cases.

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Beginning Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, child care providers must use a new online response tool – the Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection Tool – for reporting new active cases of COVID-19 at their facilities. 

Providers should continue to notify their certification representative of exposure and/or new positive cases of COVID-19.

Licensed child care providers will receive emails with a user name and temporary password from PW, Unified Security inbox (ra-unifiedsecurity@pa.gov). Providers who didn’t receive an email or who wish to change contact information for the facility’s reporter should contact RA-ocdchildcarecert@pa.gov. Those who did receive emails but are having trouble creating an account should contact ra-unifiedsecurity@pa.gov.

Providers should then follow this process:

  • Set up the facility’s account with the login credentials, beginning August 28

  • Complete the Report new COVID infections at a Licensed Facility response form for the licensed facility with current information on active cases for program participants and staff. Providers are asked to complete the form on August 28.

  • Participate in ongoing COVID-19 infection reporting. As providers are notified that staff or a program participant have tested positive for COVID-19 (including staff and program participant deaths), they must log on to the response tool to complete the Report new COVID infections at a Licensed Facility response form for that date. Submissions from August 28 and forward will be available to view.   

A detailed document, Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection User Guide and FAQs, is available to help providers use the new tool, answer any questions, and provide troubleshooting information.