You are here: Home / Government & Compliance / Child Care Grant Program for Licensed Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic Announced
Government & Compliance  |    |  

Child Care Grant Program for Licensed Providers during COVID-19 Pandemic Announced

Arizona Department of Economic Security

Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) announced today​ a Child Care COVID-19 Grant Program to provide more than $47 million of financial assistance to licensed child care providers to help cover costs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistance will support Arizona’s child care network, help providers to stay open or reopen, supplement the operating costs to prevent permanent closures, and ensure Arizona families have access to safe, quality child care. The grants are funded by the federal Child Care and Development Fund program that was awarded to the state through the CARES Act.
“This pandemic has forced Arizonans to make many sacrifices over recent months. These dollars are going where they can have an immediate impact — to help our families in need of support,”said Governor Ducey. “Helping parents access safe, reliable child care is one of the most important things we can do to support our economy.”
“Arizona’s child care providers are integral to supporting families, including first responders andessential workers throughout the pandemic,” said DES Director Michael Wisehart. “This additional funding is vital for the continued success of our child care system when their services are needed most during this public health emergency, as well as the state’s recovery as wesafely reopen the economy.”
Providers, including Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) Licensed Center and Group Homes, DES Family Child Care Providers, Tribal Child Care Providers, and Military Child Care Providers can apply for the grant program online through August 26, 2020.
Grant funds can be used by child care providers to help cover a variety of expenses associated with opening safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
  • Tuition and registration relief for families
  • Lease and mortgage payments
  • DHS licensing fees
  • Salaries and benefits for employees
  • Liability insurance
  • Utilities
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Classroom materials and supplies
  • Additional supplies required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)and DHS guidelines

This Grant Program will provide a base award of $300 for each child who was enrolled and attended at least one day of care in January 2020. Exceptions to the January 2020 utilization will only be made if the provider did not open until after January 2020. Providers located in rural counties (any county outside of Pima and Maricopa counties) will receive an additional incentive of $1,000.00 added to the total of the grant award in order to maintain access to childcare in remote areas across the state. Providers enrolled in a Quality First Program or a DES recognized accreditation program will receive an additional incentive of $1,000 added to the total grant award. In addition, a provider that is not currently contracted with DES and elects to become a DES contracted provider, will receive an additional $50 per child served. If a childcare provider is currently closed, they must agree to open and provide child care services no later than September 30, 2020.

Applications are available from August 12 to August 26. Providers will receive notification of their award on September 7 and the first grant award payment will be issued on September 15.To apply, please visit​ ​our website​. For questions regarding the Child Care COVID-19 Grant program, please email ​ChildCareGrants@azdes.gov​.

No related posts.

Speak Your Mind

In Business Dailies

Sign up for a complimentary year of In Business Dailies with a bonus Digital Subscription of In Business Magazine delivered to your inbox each month!

  • Get the day’s Top Stories
  • Relevant In-depth Articles
  • Daily Offers
  • Coming Events
Sign Up Today!