Governor Polis called a special session of the state legislature in December 2020 to address the specific challenges posed by COVID-19. Child care was recognized as one of the sectors most at risk as well as one that is critical to the survival of most other sectors in the state.
Out of this recognition, HB20B-1002 created two grant programs to support child care providers across the state: the first of which is being called the Child Care Relief Grant program and the second, the Emerging and Expanding Child Care Grant Program. The legislation provides $45 million in General Fund to support licensed child care in sustaining and expanding their businesses
Who is Eligible?
All licensed child care providers who are open and operating by February 28, 2021.
This means providers with a:
- Child Care Center License
- School-age Child Care License
- Family Child Care Home License
- Preschool License
Programs that are 100% funded by CPP or Headstart are also eligible for this grant.
“Open” means the provider has an open child care license and is not in the revocation process. Programs on probation are still eligible.
“Operating” means the provider is actively giving in-person care by February 28th. Virtual services do not count for the purposes of this grant program.
How can a provider apply for a grant?
There is no formal application, however, you must complete the following 3 steps to be eligible:
- Programs must update their information in the Child Care Status Portal. Programs that updated their status before December 14, 2020, must update their status again as new questions have been added. This step MUST be done by January 15th, 2021.
- Complete a provider rate survey. The survey will be emailed 1-2 weeks after submitting the status portal update. Surveys must be completed by February 28, 2021.
- Submit an affirmation form and banking information. These forms will be emailed to providers from “Child Care Relief Grants (CCRG)” via echosign@echosign.com with the subject line “Child Care Relief Grants Certification for [your site name].” The email will be sent within 1-2 weeks after submitting the status portal update. The forms must be returned by February 17, 2021.
What can the funds be used for?
Grants may support child care providers with costs associated with COVID-19, including but not limited to:
- accommodating smaller group sizes,
- activities designed to address the availability of child care, particularly those serving essential and emergency workers
- purchasing additional safety and cleaning supplies, and;
- covering salaries and other compensations for staff who provide child care
Providers can attribute previous expenditures and costs associated with COVID, including supplies they've already purchased or lost wages/income from lower enrollment, etc.
We recommend that programs keep documentation of receipts and invoices for grant related expenses.
What are the Grant Deadlines?
- January 15, 2021 -- Deadline to update information in Child Care Provider Status Portal
- January 18, 2021 -- Department will determine the total number of eligible providers and maximum award amounts per provider
- January 20, 2021 -- Payment to providers who have completed all application steps begin
- February 17, 2021 -- Deadline to complete grant certification and banking forms
- February 28, 2021 -- Deadline to complete provider rate survey; Last date the Department may distribute grant money to providers
Where can I get more information?
Check out the Child Care Relief Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions and view the email sent to child care providers on 12/16/20.
For other questions, please email cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us.
