DHR opens second round of pandemic grants for childcare providers

Franklin County childcare providers are among those who could benefit from additional state aid prompted by the coronavirus.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources has begun accepting applications for a second round of grants supporting licensed childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Temporary Assistance for Stabilizing Child Care grant program provides financial relief to help stabilize the number of childcare providers that are open by offsetting some costs of operating during the pandemic.

DHR will accept applications for TASCC-2 grants April 7 through May 7. Grant amounts are based on each provider’s daytime licensed capacity, with a base rate of $500 per child.

To be eligible, licensed providers must be open as of April 7. They must also remain open for at least one year after receiving a grant.

A recent survey by DHR found that 88 percent of Alabama’s licensed childcare facilities were open for business at the end of January 2021.

The grants, according to the DHR, are designed to help providers cover operating costs, including paying employees, buying classroom materials and cleaning supplies and providing meals and tuition relief, as well as other facility expenses.

“Childcare providers deserve our gratitude and support for their invaluable service to families throughout this pandemic,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “Alabama’s continued return to normalcy would not be possible without these unsung heroes to care for our children.

“We are proud to once again offer them financial relief through these grants as they continue serving their important role to our state.”

The DHR recommends childcare providers review all instructions prior to submitting a TASCC-2 grant application. The application is available online at bit.ly/3wfdSuL. Providers must complete the application to determine the estimated grant amount.

Applications will be processed as they are received, and grants will be awarded once approved.

The application must include an Alabama STAARS vendor code to be processed.

Federal funding for the grants is provided by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

For questions about the application, email DHR at quality.enhancement@dhr.alabama.gov.