Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Children and Family Services (CFS) will invest over $26 million into child care programs to improve access to quality child care services throughout the state through the Business and Child Care Partnership Grant program.
The grant program, funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan Act will work with child care providers and businesses to help aid opportunities for growth. It will also provide opportunities for those interested in starting a licensed child care program in Nebraska.
“Our child care providers are essential for communities to thrive. We have a deep appreciation for their abilities and service. The Business and Child Care Partnership Grant offers funding to help existing programs expand, and new programs to begin,” said DHHS CEO Dannette R. Smith.
Beginning this month, DHHS will offer virtual informational sessions to share details about program eligibility. The Business and Child Care Partnership Grant application opens Tuesday, January 17, 2023. Informational sessions will cover the following:
- Grant overview
- How to apply
- Q&A
Dates of virtual informational sessions are as follows:
Sessions in English:
- Monday, January 9, 6-7 p.m.
- Tuesday, January 10, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Las sesiones en español:
- el lunes, 9 de enero, desde las 7:30 hasta las 8:30 de la tarde (Tiempo Central)
- el martes, 10 de enero, desde las 6 hasta las 7 de la tarde (Tiempo Central)
To register for a session, please visit: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/CCDF-HowToApply.aspx
In addition to the Business and Child Care Partnership Grant, DHHS also introduced the Workforce Stipend and Loan Repayment grant program focused on child care workers to help their financial well-being and, more broadly, shape the future of early child care and early education in the state by incentivizing workers to stay in the field.