​​​​​​​​​​The Child Care Stabilization Grant, Nebraska Business & Child Care Partnership Grants, and the Child Care ​Workforce Stipend & Loan Repayment Grants​

It's easy to apply!

Our goal is to increase access to quality child care through the State of Nebraska. Child care is a vital sector and the grants are here to help alleviate financial challenges for the workforce, and supply further opportunity for those owning and operating child care businesses.

​

Child Care Stabilization Grant

​Applications for the Child Care Stabilization Grant are now closed. Applicants will receive award determination information by June 30, 2023.

For assistance please refer to the following:​

• Frequently Asked Questions / Preguntas frecuentes
  
• Application User Guide / Guía del usuario de la aplicación​
• Proof of training in Prepare to Care / Prueba de capacitación en Prepare to Care
• Proof of certification in pediatric first aid and CPR / Prueba de certificación en primeros auxilios pediátricos y RCP​

For Additional Assistance

For assistance with issues not covered in the FAQs or Application User Guide, please email us at dhhs.childcaregrants@nebraska.gov​ and include your name, phone number, license number, and question.

​​Business & Child Care Partnership Grants​​​

Who can apply?

• Current Nebraska-licensed child care program owners looking to expand their license capacity
• Individuals, businesses, or community organizations starting a child care program

How to apply / Cómo Aplicar

To learn more about the Business and Child Care Partnership Grants, please review the following:

• Frequently Asked Questions / Las preguntas frecuentas​
  
• How to Apply / El documento sobre cómo aplicar​
  
• Startup App Info (For individuals, businesses, or community organizations starting a child care program) / Guía para la Solicitud de Nuevas Empresas
  
• Expansion App Info (For current Nebraska-licensed child care program owners looking to expand their license capacity) / Guía para la Solicitud de Ampliación
• Informational Session Recording in English / Informational Session Recording in Spanish / NE DHHS Programa para empresas y proveedores de cuidado infantil Sesion​
  

Nebraska Child Care Workforce Stipend & Loan Repayment Grants

​Applications for the Workforce Stipend & Loan Repayment Grants are now closed. 

Workforce Recognition Stipends

Award Matrix

All approved applicants received a base award of $2500 and were eligible for additional funds based on the following factors:

The Workforce Recognition Stipend awards are calculated using the following variables:

• Longevity in the child care field, with a bonus going to applicants who reported longer tenure in child care. If an applicant reported more years of experience than their current child care center, the previous child care center field was used to validate service prior to the current role.
• Employment status, with a bonus going to applicants who work full time (at least 30 hours per week) versus part-time (at least 15 hours per week). Status was determined based on the information provided in the application.
• Applicant's role in child care, with a bonus going to teachers and assistant teachers. Roles were determined based on the information provided in the application.
• Shift, with a bonus going to applicants who work nights (after 9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.) and weekends (after 9:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 a.m. Monday) versus daytime shifts (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday).
• Child Care program type, with a bonus going to staff of Family Child Care Home Is and IIs. The increased award for Family Home I and IIs acknowledges the roles they play as owner/operators, directors, cooks, drivers, and janitors.
  

We value the contributions each and every one of you make to Nebraska's children. The decisions above reward both newer child care staff and those who have contributed many years in the field.

Student Loan Repayment

Student loan repayment awards are up to $20,000 for all eligible awardees, depending on the loan documentation provided about the eligible debt.

Additional $5,000 bonuses were made available for teachers and applicants with master's degrees, resulting in awards up to $30,000 for teachers with master's degrees.

For many applicants, the award may relieve a significant portion of student loan debt and for others, outstanding loan balances will be paid in full. No one will receive a reward greater than what they owe. Payments will be made directly to loan servicers, not individuals.

Awards were determined based on the documentation provided and are not subject to further review.​

​For Assistance