Childcare Expansion Grant Program for Childcare Center Providers – California - fundsforNGOs

The Valley Health Foundation is seeking applications for its Childcare Expansion Grant Program for Childcare Center Providers.

Donor Name: Valley Health Foundation

State: California

County: Santa Clara County (CA)

Type of Grant: Grant

Deadline: 11/30/2023

Size of the Grant:

Center Based Operations: $500,000
Center-Based Construction: Renovations/Repairs: $1,250,000

Grant Duration: 2 years

Details:

The Childcare Expansion Grant program is available to licensed Child Care Centers in Santa Clara County. Infrastructure support will focus on childcare facility supports that address either construction or operational needs and result in an increase in childcare capacity. With a focus on social equity, this Grant Program, approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on February 28, 2023, will use $15 million of Federal Coronavirus State, and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support local childcare providers serving communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to open, reopen, or increase the total number of affordable childcare spaces. Childcare providers eligible for infrastructure funding may include Family Child Care Home (FCCH), center-based, and other community agencies. Priority will be given to childcare providers who meet select equity criteria to serve communities in greatest need of childcare and to reflect the geographic and cultural diversity of Santa Clara County.

The Grant Program will fund two (2) funding categories:

Operations: An estimated 40% of grant funds will be allocated for childcare facility operational expenses for up to 24 months of operating costs, that may include funds to pay for staffing to support the increased capacity or enrollment.
- Funding allocation is subject to change based on the total program request by category. Unobligated Operations funds may be re-allocated to the Construction category, if necessary.
Construction/Repairs: An estimated 50% of grant funds will be allocated for construction related activities, including major and/or minor physical renovation or improvements to increase licensed childcare capacity and create a developmentally appropriate learning environment for children.

Funding Categories and Eligible Uses

Center Based Operations
- The Operations grant funds are available to support a strong recovery and stabilization for childcare centers operational needs during and up to 24 months (2 years) from the grant effective date. Providers must demonstrate being actively licensed for over 24 months.
- Center-based childcare providers may be eligible for up to $250,000 per year for a total amount not to exceed $500,000 for the 2-year period.. Providers must demonstrate an increase in quality childcare spaces or enrollment proportionate to the operational needs and requested funds.
  - Eligible uses of funds under this funding category include, but not limited to:
    - Additional childcare staff to support the increased capacity or enrollment.
    - Age-appropriate furniture and materials to meet childcare needs.
    - Supplies, books, and activities to support the developmentally appropriate care and early education.
    - Technology and equipment.
    - Administration infrastructure upgrades e.g., financial systems, reporting database.
    - Updated appliances for the childcare business.
    - Up to three (3) months rent or mortgage payments.
Center-Based Construction: Renovations/Repairs
- The Grant Program aims to support providers in developing a well-designed childcare facility that results in increased childcare spaces and that provides quality childcare programming. Providers must demonstrate being actively licensed for over 24 months.
  - To support grant awardees with their construction projects, VHF will provide access to technical assistance from a construction management consultant. The consultant will:
    - Provide as requested and needed assistance with the development of the Scope of Work.
    - Assess the contractor bids/proposals for feasibility, reasonableness and timeliness.
    - Verify that selected contractors are licensed and insured.
    - Provide construction oversight and coordination of progress payments.
    - Verify that the work was done in accordance with State and local building requirements for childcare centers and FCCH providers are met, including building inspections.
    - Verify that work is in adherence to the California Department of Social Services childcare licensing regulations.
    - Verify required lead-based paint testing is completed. Assist with referrals to certified professionals for lead testing and abatement, if required.
- Eligible uses of funds under this funding category include interior/exterior renovations and repairs to areas in the facility that result in an increase in capacity or enrollment, while creating a safe and developmentally appropriate environment for children.
- Center-based childcare providers eligible under this program must have been in operation for 24 months or more.
- The maximum construction grant per application is $1,250,000. They anticipate funding 3 to 5 childcare centers for renovation and/or repairs to the facilities that can demonstrate an increase in childcare spaces proportionate to the requested funds.

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs include, but are not limited to:

Pre-development – costs associated with early planning, architectural/design services, and building permits
Construction projects including site construction costs to address health and safety concerns or modernization, play spaces that result in an increase in the licensed capacity/enrollment, and quality of care in childcare centers.
Improvements to correct and meet building code life and safety requirements.
Reasonable project management staffing costs associated with the approved project
Up to three (3) months rent or mortgage payments, inclusive of operational funding
Other costs of construction
- Staff retention wages
- Temporary relocation costs
- Utilities

Eligibility Criteria

Childcare providers must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Eligible applicants include private, nonprofit or educational organizations.
- Nonprofits must have a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt designation at the time of application submission.
Applicants must demonstrate you are in good standing with the CA Secretary of State.
Provide childcare services for infant and toddler care, children with special needs, and/ or childcare for other priority populations in the county.
Demonstrate intent and ability to open, reopen, or increase the number of childcare spaces, including filling vacancies, in communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic or with other challenges.
Maintain childcare capacity as outlined in CDSS childcare capacity regulations.
Have a registered Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Have a registered Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number through SAM.gov. If applicants do not have a UEI, they are encouraged to apply for it as soon as possible. If applied for and is pending, indicate the pending status on Submittable, and upload confirmation received from SAM.gov.
Applicants must be in compliance with 2 CFR 200.214 Suspension and Debarment of the Uniform Guidance. Applicant shall attest that the organization, nor its principals have not been debarred or suspended or otherwise excluded from participating in Federal assistance programs.
Childcare providers must demonstrate a negative public health impact or disproportionate impact because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disproportionate impact will be presumed for providers operating in QCTs.
Childcare providers must demonstrate their commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity, and inclusion within their business and educational programing.
Providers must offer services to all children of Santa Clara County, regardless of sex, race/ethnicity, color, national origin, or disability.
Providers must offer services to all families of Santa Clara County, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, political belief, organizational affiliation, or marital status.