The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Early Childhood Services, in partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), is requesting grant applications for the County’s 2027 EquiCare: Subsidy Seats Grant Program from licensed child care providers located in Montgomery County to cover the cost of full day high quality child care funding for infants and toddler (age 6 weeks through 3 years) seats aligned with current trends for child care seats.
Donor Name: Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services
State: Maryland
County: Montgomery County (MD)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/25/2026
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Funding Information
- Funds Available: $2,075,059.00
- Minimum Award Amount: $51,740.00
Project Period
July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
This grant program is anticipated to receive a large number of applications and total funding requests that will exceed the amount of resources available. Priority in awarding funding will be given to proposals from licensed child care programs located with a physical address in areas reflected in the county’s’ 25 Supply and Demand Study .
Proposal Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants may only submit one application per facility; and
- Child Care Centers and Letter of Compliance must apply to provide a minimum of 8 child care seats and Family Child Care programs must apply to provide a minimum of two (2) child care seats. The grant funds would cover the tuition expenses of the child care seat.
Organization Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- The organization must be licensed child care provider located in Montgomery County, as demonstrated through the following required documentation:
- A License/registration number provided by the Maryland State Department of Education for your child care program under COMAR: Family Child Care (13A.15), Large Family Child Care (13A.18), Center Child Care (13A.16), or Letter of Compliance (13A.17)
- The organization must meet specific program criteria, as demonstrated through the following required documentation:
- Accreditation by a recognized state or national entity (ex. Maryland State Department of Education, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association of Family Child Care)
- Published rating of level 3 or higher in Maryland EXCELS
- The organization’s staff must meet these minimum education requirements, which differ based on these two childcare provider types:
Child Care Center and Letter of Compliance: Teacher in EquiCare Grant classroom:- Associates Degree in Early Childhood; OR
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Infant/Toddler Credential with 2 years’ experience; OR
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Birth to Five Credential with 2 years’ experience.
- Family Child Care and Large Family Child Care: Approved Provider:
- Associates Degree in Early Childhood; OR Child Development Associate (CDA) Family Child Care Credential with 2 years’ experience; OR
- Child Development Associate (CDA) Birth to Five Credential with 2 years’ experience.
Montgomery County Eligibility Conditions
- The organization must be currently registered in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT); and
- The organization’s principal place of business must be located in Montgomery County; if it is a national or regional organization, it must have a location in Montgomery County through which it provides related services;
- All activities and expenditures under this Grant Program must be provided in Montgomery County, and be exclusively for Montgomery County residents;
- Current Montgomery County contract or grant award winners must be in performance compliance and current on all reporting obligations for other awards and those reports must reflect substantial progress toward the goals of their awards;
- Proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. County funding cannot be used to supplant other funding for already planned activities.
For more information, visit DHHS.
