NC child care programs to receive $800M in COVID relief grants. How to apply.
Child care centers in North Carolina will soon be able to benefit from $800 million in American Rescue Plan funds through a new grant program aimed to stabilize the programs. Grant applications open Monday.
Gov. Roy Cooper announced the program on Thursday along with U.S. Rep. David Price, who is a senior member on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, in Carrboro at the Community School for People Under Six. Price is a Democrat whose district includes Orange County.
Community School Director Anna Mercer-McLean said many child care programs have struggled over the past 19 months of the coronavirus pandemic. Her school celebrated its 50th anniversary in the midst of the pandemic.
“We have all been in survival mode, making sure that we kept our children healthy and safe during this pandemic,” Mercer-McLean said.
She plans to apply for one of the stabilization grants, which she said will be used for a increased salary base for staff and facility improvements to the school.
Grant applications open Monday at ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Home/Stabilization-Grants.
Cooper toured the school before talking with reporters outside. He said child care providers have been a critical link for parents and employers.
Susan Gale Perry, who is deputy secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said grants will range between $3,000 and $60,000 per quarter based on the size and star rating of the program. Additional funds can be used for bonuses for staff or to raise salaries and benefits for staff in a more permanent way, she said. Grants will start being awarded in mid-November, she said, and last for 18 months.
Licensed child care programs eligible for the grants include nonprofit community-based and private child care programs, family child care homes and faith-based programs.
How the federal funds may be used:
▪ Payroll, salaries, employee benefits, staff expenses to access COVID-19 vaccines and costs associated with retirement, education and child care for workers.
▪ Child care center rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, business-related insurance and fees and charges for late payments.
▪ Facility improvements and maintenance like bathroom renovations, ramps, playgrounds and other minor improvements.
▪ Personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, health and safety training including for COVID-19, CPR and first aid.
▪ Mental health support for children and employees.
For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Under the Dome politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it at link.chtbl.com/underthedomenc or wherever you get your podcasts.
This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 1:21 PM with the headline "NC child care programs to receive $800M in COVID relief grants. How to apply.."
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