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Nebraska Children and Families Foundation to Award Funds to Child Care Providers

By News Jul 8, 2020 | 1:26 PM
Nebraska daycares will receive funding from the Child Care and Development Fund.  This is the primary federal funding source for child care subsidies to help low-income working families access child care.  It also improves the quality of child care for all children.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act set aside $3.5 billion.  Nebraska will receive $20 million in CARES Act funding. Part of these funds is allocated to a Stabilization Fund for licensed child care providers who have stayed open during the pandemic and to an Incentive to Reopen Child Care Program Fund for child care providers who closed.
One is the Child Care Provider Stabilization Fund.  Many providers remained open during the pandemic.  Many also lost income as they had to reduce the number of children cared for, to buy cleaning supplies and other expenses.  The grand will help cover costs related to COVID-19.  Family child care homes will be eligible for a one-time award of $3,500, and child care centers will be eligible for a one-time award of $5,550. Providers must submit an application and be in good standing with DHHS. Funding can be used on allowable expenses such as: utility payments, rent or mortgage payments for child care programs, staff salaries, cleaning supplies, personal protective gear, and supplies to care for children. Receipts or other proof of payment will be required.
This second part of the funding is to reopen child care facilities To better serve child care providers who have discontinued operations temporarily due to COVID-19, DHHS will award Incentive to Reopen Child Care Program Fund grants. Priority for these grants will be given to providers who are in good standing with DHHS and meet certain criteria, such as committing to reopen within 30 days of receipt of funds, participating in state quality improvement initiatives, and servicing low-income children or children of essential and emergency workers.
Family child care homes I and II will be eligible for a one-time grant of $2,000, and child care centers will be eligible for a one-time grant of $3,000. A provider would not be eligible for both the stabilization grant and this grant.