With most students absent during the COVID-19 pandemic, children get extra outdoor time at the Oregon Child Development Coalition’s North Lancaster preschool on March 20, 2020 (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)
Oregon’s Early Learning Division has $224 million to pass out to child care providers across the state.
The division opened grants Thursday, intended to help child care providers who lost revenue or experienced financial hardship due to the Covid pandemic. The grants are non-competitive, meaning applicants who meet criteria will receive money.
As families pulled their children out of care during the pandemic and providers had to spend more on staffing and cleaning supplies, many providers closed their doors. One year into the pandemic, about 60 Marion and Polk county child care providers were no longer operating.
Grants are funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, and are open to private licensed child care providers and providers exempt from licensing who are listed with the Oregon Department of Human Services. Amounts awarded will range from $6,800 for the smallest, license-exempt providers up to $233,680 maximum for large centers serving more than 60 children.
Applications must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2021. More information is available on the Early Learning Division website.
-Rachel Alexander
