CCDF has funds available under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act) to support Child Care Providers who face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to stabilize the child care sector that rebuilds a stronger child care system that supports the developmental and learning needs of children, meet parent’s needs and preferences with equal access to high-quality child care, and supports a professionalized workforce that is fairly and appropriately compensated for the essential skilled work that they do.

These grant funds can be used to help child care providers cover a variety of expenses including reimbursement of expenses incurred from January 31, 2020 through September 30, 2024:

• Rent, mortgage, or utilities
• Payroll, benefits, and staff bonuses
• Staff training and professional development
• Maintaining or improving your facility
• Cleaning supplies and PPE
• Consultations with nurses or other medical professionals to ensure a healthy environment
• Mental health supports for staff and children
• Construction and Renovation (Tribal use only)

The following forms are required in order to determine your grant amount:

Center Based & Group Home Providers

• ARP Act Stabilization Subgrant Application
• W-9 Form (must be signed in 2023, previous years will not be accepted)
• Child Care License
• Proof of Operating Costs
• Signed ARP Act Policies and Procedures

Tribal Center/After School Programs

• ARP Act Stabilization Subgrant Application
• W-9 Form (must be signed in 2023, previous years will not be accepted)
• Proof of Operating Costs
• Signed ARP Act Policies and Procedures

In Home/Family Home Providers

• ARP Act Stabilization Subgrant Application
• W-9 Form (must be signed in 2023, previous years will not be accepted)
• Proof of Operating Costs
• Provider’s Identification
  • Valid Driver’s License/I.D. Card and SSN

All forms and documents must be complete and include authorized signatures in order to be reviewed for eligibility. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Colleen Han, at 775-399-5164 or at chan@itcn.org.

1. Stabilization grants will create significant opportunities for child care providers to access financial relief from the impact of the pandemic. However, child care providers should be aware of several requirements:

• Child care providers must be open and available to provide child care services or temporarily closed due to public health, financial hardship, or other reasons relating to the COVID-19 public health emergency
• Child care businesses must have been licensed, regulated, or registered in the state, tribe, or territory no later than March 11, 2021, and must meet applicable health and safety requirements or must be licensed, regulated, or registered and CCDF-eligible on the date of application.

2. Due to recent guidance provided to the Federal Office of Child Care (OCC), providers that have had their service agreement revoked due to a conviction of fraud, or are under investigation for fraud, are not eligible for ARP Act stabilization grants.

1. There are 6 types of providers that are eligible for the stabilization grant application through ITCN CCDF.

Center-based

• A provider who is licensed to provide child care services in a non-residential setting.

After School Program

• A center-based provider who provides recreational activities in a non-residential setting.

Tribal Center

• A provider who provides child care services in a tribal center.

Group Home

• Two or more individuals who provide child care services in a residential setting other than the child's residence. Must be licensed by the state.

Family Home

• An individual provider, who is a grandparent to the eligible child, and provides child care services in a private residence other than the child's home. If living on tribal reservation, the provider can be a family, friend, or neighbor. If living off tribal reservation, the provider must be a grandparent.

In-Home

• An individual provider, who is a grandparent to the eligible child and provides child care services inside the child's home. If living on tribal reservation, the provider can be a family, friend, or neighbor. If living off tribal reservation, the provider must be a grandparent. 

1. As part of the stabilization grant application, all providers much certify they will meet the following requirements through the grant period:

1. Child care providers will implement policies in line with guidance from their state, Tribal, or local authorities, the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to the greatest extent possible
2. Child care providers must pay each employee at least the same amount in weekly wages and maintain the same level of benefits for the duration of the grant. Child care businesses cannot involuntarily furlough employees from the date of grant application submission through the duration of the grant term.
3. Child care providers will, to the extent possible, provide financial relief from copayments and tuition payments for enrolled families.
4. Stabilization grants can only be used for operating expenses.

2. Monthly operating costs must be submitted with the application. See “Proof of operating costs” section for required documents.

3. If providers are denied, providers will be notified of any changes that are needed to regain the chance of eligibility, or will be given a reason for denial.

1. Checks will not be available for pick-up at our offices at this time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stabilization grant funds will be disbursed by mailed check every 3 months, as long as, proof of expenses are turned in on time.

2. Current year W-9’s must be submitted, to receive Stabilization grant funds.

3. Applications for the stabilization grant application will be valid for 1 year. Funds will be reevaluated at 3 months. If expenses and operating costs have changed, the expenses and operating costs portion of the application will need to be updated, with proof of operating costs.

4. All stabilization grant funds must be used by September 30, 2024.

5. Stabilization grant funds must be spent on:

• Rent, mortgage, or utilities
• Payroll, benefits, and staff bonuses
• Staff training and professional development
• Maintaining or improving your facility
• Cleaning supplies and PPE
• Consultations with nurses or other medical professionals to ensure a healthy environment
• Mental health supports for staff and children

6. Any funds spent outside of the above categories will result in a cancellation of funds and any funds that have been paid out, must be repaid to ITCN CCDF.

7. If approved, providers will receive funds within 30 days of submitting their application.

8. Providers must keep all receipts and records of payments that have already been made to reimburse your business using the child care stabilization grants OR payments/purchases that you will make in the term defined by your state, tribe, or territory using the child care stabilization funding.

Track your expenses in your accounting software or collect documentation in a specific folder or file on your computer. Make photocopies of paper records or back up your electronic files as a security measure.
9. Proof of expenses must be turned in every 10 weeks after payment to receive the next set of funds, to ensure the stabilization grant is being spent properly. See “Proof of operating costs” section for required documents.

1. CCDF ITCN will issue a payment schedule for providers to ensure proper forms are turned in on time.
   10. Stabilization Grant Funds are based on the availability of funds and grant amounts are based on the discretion of ITCN CCDF and the provider’s operating costs.

 11. If grantees need to move funds to an expense category other than what was listed on the original application, a Subgrant Amendment form must be filled out and authorized prior to spending. 

Receipts or bank statements* are acceptable to submit for proof of operating costs for the following:

1. Personnel Costs

1. Hiring documents, direct deposit forms, total hours worked, employee pay rate, tax deductions, regular payroll reports, insurance benefits (medical, dental vision, 401K), etc.

2. Tribal Use Only: Payroll is allowable with the exception of reimbursed wages. Reimbursed wages with regular Fiscal Funding for time spent with children cannot be used with the ARP Act Stabilization Subgrant.

   i. Time sheets will be sent to ITCN CCDF Program Assistant for reimbursement. Once they calculate the time spent with children, the time sheet will then be sent over to the ITCN CCDF COVID 19 Resource Coordinator, where they will calculate the remaining hours.

   ii. Additionally, admin costs for employees working on the ARP Act Stabilization Subgrant can use funding to cover the cost of their wages.

2. Rent, utilities, facilities, maintenance, and insurance

1. Mortgage/rent payments, any fees related to rent or mortgage payments
2. Insurance: homeowner’s insurance, general business liability insurance
3. Utilities expenses: payments to gas company, energy company, internet provider, phone provider,water/sewer services, trash services
4. Maintenance expenses or changes made to your facility to address COVID-19, such as air filtration systems, plexiglass dividers, etc

3. Personal Protective equipment, cleaning, and other health and safety practices

1. Sanitizing wipes, bleach, hand soap, mops, spray bottles, and other cleaning and disinfecting materials
2. PPE such as face shields, masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer
3. Trainings for staff on proper cleaning and disinfecting processes
4. Hiring cleaning companies, janitors, or any cleaning service
5. Ordering background checks and health and safety training

4. Equipment and Supplies

1. Accounting software
2. Payroll software
3. Software or materials to track and report public health data
4. Health monitoring equipment such as thermometers
5. Computers, smart phones, and/or tablets to be able to communicate with staff and families remotely, or support school-age children participate in distance learning in your care

5. Goods and Services

1. Food, snacks, beverages, dishes, bottles, bibs, cups, silverware, and other supplies needed for meal times and drinks
2. Diapers, wipes, toilet paper, and toilet training diapers
3. Cribs, crib mattresses, sheets, cots, pillows, blankets, and other materials for sleeping or napping
4. Books and workbooks
5. Craft materials
6. Licensing fees and any expenses related to maintaining a license such as fire extinguishers, smoke and CO2 alarms

6. Mental Health Services

1. Infant and early childhood mental health consultation if you use any of the providers contracted in your state, tribe, or territory for the children in your care. This payment may be a portion of your funding going to a network of infant and early childhood mental health providers or services where your business is located. Ask your network providers to provide documentation of your payment that is directly related to mental health services. 
2. Mental health consultations for you or your employees.
3. Purchases of mental health apps for you or your employees.

7.  Minor Construction and Renovations

1. Any construction and/or renovations that does not include structural changes
2. Upgrading kitchens to add safe electrical outlets and fix plumbing fixtures
3. Repainting walls
4. Renovating bathrooms to ensure child safety
5. Replacing cabinets with storage space for child’s personal belongings
6. Installing rails and ramps
7. Updating sidewalks
8. Building or upgrading playgrounds
9. Replacing fire sprinklers, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
10. Replacing windows or doors
11. Minor roof repairs
12. Removing walls to create additional space for social distancing

*: Bank statements must be detailed and any items or transcations purchased with stabilization grant funds must be highlighted. If items are purchased, receipts and/or proof of delivery is required.