Child Care Grants

 
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Children
Children and Family Services
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What would you like to do?

What you need to know

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Temporary Grants & One-time Payment Programs

Child Care Stabilization Grant Payment

Quality Supports for Child Care Subsidy License Exempt Providers - Frequently Aske​d Questions​

Targeted Workforce Support - Frequently Asked ​Questions​

Step Up to Quality Bonus Payment - Frequently Asked Question

Step Up to Quality Matrix

Step Rating Family Child Care Home IFamily Child Care Home IIChild Care Center
1$ - $ - $ - 
2$2,000 $3,000 $5,000
3$3,000 $4,000 $8,000
4$4,000 $5,000 $11,000
5$5,000 $6,000 $14,000



​​​​​​​​Ongoing Child Care Gra​nts

How do I apply for a Child Care Grant?

Child care programs may apply for only one of three grant opportunities. If a program is awarded funding, they are not eligible to apply for another grant for a period of three years.​

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Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grant​​Awards a maximum of $5,000 for Child Care Homes, and a maximum of $10,000 for Child Care Centers. Applicants must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for funding:

  • A new (not yet licensed) Child Care Home or Child Care Center making minor building modifications or purchasing equipment necessary to meet licensing requirements.
  • An existing licensed Child Care Home or Child Care Center making minor building modifications or purchasing equipment to increase the license capacity in order to serve additional infants, school-age children, and/or children with special needs.​
  • An existing licensed program making modifications or purchasing equipment in order to expand from a Family Child Care Home I to a Family Child Care Home II, or a Family Child Care Home II to a Child Care Center.

Once funded, providers must remain in business and maintain a Child Care Subsidy Enrollment for three consecutive years.

Child Care Gran​t Application

Guide Questions - Things to Consider 

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Emergency Mini GrantAwards a maximum of $1,000 for Provisional year licenses, and a maximum of $2,000 for Operating (non-expiring) licenses. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for funding:

  • A currently licensed Child Care Home or Child Care Center, or those who are in the licensing process and have had initial inspections conducted.
  • Be in good standing and have a current Child Care Subsidy enrollment.
  • Requested items must be currently required from inspection(s) made by Child Care Licensing, Fire Marshal and/or Health Inspector.

Once funded, providers must remain in business and maintain a Child Care Subsidy enrollment for three consecutive years.​

Emergency Mini Grant Application

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Quality Improvement Grant​​Awards a maximum of $500 for Family Child Care Homes or Child Care Centers. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • A currently licensed Child Care Home or Child Care Center with a Provisional or Operating license.
  • Be in good standing, and have a current Child Care Subsidy enrollment.
  • Requested items must be related to improving the quality of the program/curriculum of the childcare.

Once funded, providers must remain in business and maintain a Child Care Subsidy enrollment for three consecutive years.

​Quality Improvement Grant Application​

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​What are the allowable uses of the grant funds?

Allowable Expenditures

Non-Allowable Expenditures 

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What is the grant application cycle?

Child Care Grant applications are accepted each month and must be postmarked by the first of the month to be included in that month's review cycle.​​

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How will I be notified about the outcome of my grant application?

A committee of agency staff carefully reviews each application to recommend whether or not it should be app​​roved or denied. The applicant will be notified about the results of the application via mail or email.  ​

Quick Tip

The application must contain all of the required information, including supporting documentation, as well as completion of each section of the grant application in order to be considered. All sections of the application must arrive together via US Mail.  ​

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What is the timeline of the grant review process?

The grant review process may take up to 8-12 weeks. Applicants not selected for funding may reapply during a later review cycle.​​​

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​​If a grant is approved, what is required on the part of the child care provider?

The award of grant funds involves a signed agreement between the child care provider and the Department of Health and Human Services to: ​

  • Provide licensed child care for a minimum of three consecutive years,
  • Use the grant money for its approved purpose on eligible expenses,
  • Provide care to children whose care is subsidized by the Department of Health and Human Services and,
  • Continue to maintain compliance with licensing regulations.  
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​What is the funding source and goal of the Child Care Grants program?

Child Care Grants are funded from the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). These funds are specifically designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for subsidy-eligible children and to increase the availability of early childhood development programs, as well as before- and after-school programs. ​

Applicants are not entitled to Child Care Grant funds.​

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Child Care Grants Contact Information
Child Care Development Fund, Division of Children & Family Services
Phone Number
(531) 810-1792
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-5026
​​​Physical Address
301 Centennial Mall S​, Lincoln, NE 68508

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ​Closed on federal holidays

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