American Rescue Plan Act Grant Round 2

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is excited to share information about the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program Round 2 funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The grant application was released on October 31, 2022, in the Provider Portal. Please don't fill out the application before viewing the information session on our YouTube Channel.

Download the Child Care Stabilization Subgrant Provider Frequently Asked Questions from the Division of Early Learning

American Rescue Plan Act Funding – Provider Stabilization Subgrants

Early learning coalitions will receive additional funding to support private early learning/child care providers that were licensed/registered/certified/regulated by or before March 11, 2021, or that are Child Care and Development Fund eligible at the time of application and are providing early learning/child care services on the date of application to assist them in remaining open during the COVID-19 crisis. Qualifying providers must have remained open and operational, except for temporary closures due to public health, financial hardship, or other reasons related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Providers may qualify for Provider Stabilization Subgrants, in addition to any grant awarded in Phases I – VI.

The Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe is excited to share information about the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Grant Priorities

Stabilize and support Florida’s entire network of early learning providers.
Expand access to high-quality providers for families where cost is the primary barrier
Invest in quality
Invest in the early learning workforce and take steps to transition Florida’s early learning workforce into the early learning profession
Strengthen Providers

This new provider grant opportunity is provided by different funding than previous grants received by your program and follows federal guidance through a new application process. The grant application is scheduled to be available in the Provider Portal Monday, March 7, 2022. The application will be open until June 30, 2022.

Eligibility

Early learning/child care providers must meet the following eligibility criteria:

They were licensed, registered or regulated under the appropriate state or local law on or before March 11, 2021.

They meet Child Care and Development Fund health and safety requirements including completion of comprehensive background checks.

AND

Early learning/child care provider agrees to complete a current fiscal year Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) profile in the Florida Early Learning Provider Services Portal, if not previously completed; and
Early learning/child care provider did not have a contract terminated for cause within the past five years and provider is in good standing with the early learning coalition; and
Early learning/child care provider is not under investigation or has been convicted of child care fraud; and
Early learning/child care provider is not included on the Florida Child Care Food Program (CCFP) USDA Disqualified List; and
Early learning/child care provider submits an IRS Form W-9 for payment and direct deposit forms (as required by the coalition), if not previously submitted; and
Early learning/child care provider completes the ARPA Stabilization Subgrant – Round I Application (Attachment 1), which includes child counts, monthly operating expenses, and budget for funds use.

Grant Amount

Early learning/child care providers will receive base subgrants based on their enrollment at the time of application, with a minimum of $12,000 per provider. Base subgrants will be calculated depending on the age of enrollments as indicated below:

Infants and Toddlers: $867 per child
Children 2 – Kindergarten Entry: $702 per child
School-Age: $540 per child

Providers will receive an additional award of $70.20 per School Readiness child enrolled at the time of application. In addition, providers will receive supplemental bonuses calculated as percentages of their base subgrant according to the rates below:

ARPA Bonus Category

How can these funds be utilized?

Payroll/Benefits, Other Personnel Costs
Rent or Mortgage, Business Operating Costs and Facility Expenses
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Cleaning Supplies and Services
Professional Development related to Health and Safety Practices
Mental Health Supports for Children and Child Care Employees
Equipment and Supplies in Response to COVID-19
Goods and Services to Maintain/Resume Child Care Services
Workforce Investment
Copayments or Tuition Waivers

Providers will implement policies in line with guidance and orders from state and local authorities and, to the greatest extent possible, with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) when open and providing services.

The CDC has posted several fact sheets and guides to help child care providers understand and meet the guidelines at the following:

Quick Guide: Help Protect Your Child Care Center From COVID-19, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/Quick-Guide-Child-Care-Guidance-Center.pdf.
Quick Guide: Help Protect Your Family Child Care Home from COVID- 19, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/Quick-Guide-Child-Care-Guidance-HOME.pdf.
Child Care Providers Quick Guide to Symptoms of COVID-19 at Child Care, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/childcare-providers-quick-guide-print.pdf.

Providers