Nebraska child care providers who had equipment damaged or destroyed in the recent blizzard and flood can apply for a recovery grant through the Department of Health and Human Service’s Division of Children and Family Services.
The Child Care and Development Fund Program is offering the assistance for license-exempt subsidy providers and all licensed child care providers.
The grant is intended to replace child care equipment such as cribs, car seats, furniture, blankets, toys, books, food utensils, and the like, that are necessary for providing safe quality care for children.
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for funding:
- A child care provider that has been affected by the blizzard and/or flooding that occurred in March of 2019.
- A currently licensed Family Child Care Home, Child Care Center or a License Exempt Provider with a Child Care Subsidy Agreement.
Awards are a maximum of $500 for License Exempt Providers, a maximum of $5,000 for Family Child Care Homes and a maximum of $10,000 for Child Care Centers.
Once funded, providers must remain in business and/or maintain a Child Care Subsidy Agreement for 1 year following the grant award.
“We know how important having safe, quality child care is to families in Nebraska, and we want to support those families as best we can,” says Matt Wallen, Director of the Division of Children and Family Services. “Helping affected child care providers get back to normal as quickly as they can will help all of us recover more quickly.”
This grant is not intended to be used to rebuild child care homes or facilities, to pay for building modifications or for the replacement of outdoor playground equipment. It cannot be used on items covered by insurance claims.