State officials are reminding childcare providers that they have until Monday, Jan. 31, to apply for federally funded pandemic relief.
The so-called "stabilization grants" come via the Department of Human Services, which set up the program last fall using $655 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. To date, $613 million has been allocated, with a little over 80% of licensed providers having received funding.
"The childcare industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the providers and staff in this sector deserve our thanks and support,” acting Human Services Secretary Meg Snead said in a statement. "... These funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are an unprecedented investment in the childcare sector and are key to our economic recovery from this pandemic, and I urge providers not to miss this opportunity for additional support."
Licensed providers can click here for more information and to apply. The funding can go toward personnel and operational costs, pandemic-related supplies and retrofits and reimbursements for past expenses incurred due to Covid-19.
