Applications are now being accepted for grants from a $1.1 billion federal funding allocation to directly benefit child care providers and help stabilize the industry that was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is administering the funds. New York is the first large state in the country to begin taking applications for the funding made available through the American Rescue Plan Friday.
Child care providers will directly receive funds once they complete a simple online application. The money can be used for personnel costs, rent or mortgage, utilities, facility maintenance or improvements, personal protective equipment, supplies needed to respond to the pandemic, goods and services needed for child care services, mental health support for children and employees, health and training training for staff and other uses permitted by grant rules.
Eligibility is for child care centers that were open and serving children as of March 11 of last year, and open and available to provide in-person services on the date they apply for the grant, or that were closed temporarily for COVID-19 reasons.
