Grant applications open for childcare providers in NYS

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Governor Kathy Hochul announced that starting Tuesday, applications will be accepted for $343 million in federal funding that will directly benefit child care providers and continue to help stabilize the industry.

The funding is being administered by New York State Office of Children and Family Services with the second round of stabilization grants funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

"This second round of stabilization funding represents an important opportunity and investment to help further stabilize the child care sector with specific investments in the workforce supports," said Governor Hochul. "These new grants for child care providers will strengthen their infrastructure and support their workforce, who have been and continue to be critical to supporting our children."

In order to qualify for the grants, eligible providers must be OCFS-licensed or registered childcare programs. There will be two application windows depending on the provider type: July 5 for those who received the first round of Stabilization Grants and August 22 for all school-age child care programs and new providers who were licensed after the first round of Stabilization Grants were launched.

Applications can be found here.

To support the child care workforce and to assist with recruitment and retention efforts, at least 75% of this funding must be used for the below, among additional items:

• Bonuses or increases in wages
• Contributions towards health insurance costs that reduce these costs for staff
• Contributions to staff retirement plans that supplement any employer contribution
• Supplemental educational advancement or tuition reimbursement
• Mental health supports and services for staff

The remaining 25% can be used on other eligible expenses. More information on the grant can be found here.