The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has announced the Child Care Provider and Employee Bonus Program.
Donor Name: Maryland State Department of Education
State: Maryland
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 11/30/2022
Size of the Grant: $16 million
Details:
This program, established in Chapter 594 of 2021 (HB 1100), requires MSDE to distribute $16 million to child care providers to provide bonuses to those eligible child care providers and members of their respective staff on a first-come, first – serve basis as required by the law. Designed to help uplift and sustain the child care community, the bonuses recognize the contributions of existing child care workers and new hires into the child care field, and also support child care recruitment and hiring.
The purpose of the program is to implement the provisions of House Bill 1100 and to provide bonuses to eligible providers who participate in the child care scholarship program and their staff members on a first come, first-serve basis (as required in the law). To implement the program, Maryland child care providers must apply for the program and, in so doing, provide the MSDE with a current number of childcare employees and respective information for those employees.
Grant Period
July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
Funding Information and Eligibility
- The Child Care Provider and Employee Bonus Program reflects sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) total.
- This total is, by law, split in three ways:
- $10,000,000 to provide for $1,000 retention bonuses to individuals employed by child care scholarship program participating providers and who were:
- Employed by a child care provider on June 30, 2022;
- Employed by the provider for at least twenty (20) hours per week; and
- EITHER – held a credential through the Maryland Child Care Credential Program established under § 9.5–904 of the Education Article
- OR – will earn a credential through the Maryland Child Care Credential Program during fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023).
- $4,000,000 to provide for up to $1,000 in retention bonuses. Eligible staff can receive a $500 bonus if they:
- Began employment at a child care provider during fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023);
- Are employed by the provider for at least twenty (20) hours per week;
- Remain employed for three (3) months; and
- Commit to remaining employed with that provider for at least six (6) months.
- Eligible staff can receive a second $500 bonus if they:
- Hold or otherwise obtain a credential through the Maryland Child Care Credential Program established under § 9.5–904 of the Education Article; and
- Remained employed as a child care provider or with a child care provider that participates in the child care scholarship program for at least twenty (20) hours per week for at least six (6) months.
- $2,000,000 to provide for $500 hiring assistance bonuses based on the number of employees hired in Fiscal Year 2023 to work at least thirty (30) hours per week for at least three months to child care provider that participate in the child care scholarship program.
- $10,000,000 to provide for $1,000 retention bonuses to individuals employed by child care scholarship program participating providers and who were:
Use of Funds
- Funds may only be used for allowable cost listed below:
- $14,000,000 – Bonuses to eligible Maryland EXCELS child care providers (only providers who also perform direct child care are eligible for a bonus) and employees
- $2,000,000 – Operating cost to hire employees for Maryland EXCELS child care providers, this includes:
- To assist with $500 hiring bonus after employee completes 3 months.
- For advertising a position, licensure or certification costs, background check fees, or paying the first month of salary to a new employee.
For more information, visit MSDE.
