CHILD CARE FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PHASE 2
The application for this program is expected to launch later this year. Please check back here for more details.
The NJ Child Care Facilities Improvement Program – Phase 2 is a pilot grant of $5 million to support New Jersey Registered Family Child Care homes (FCCs) with the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) that will contribute to Health, Safety and Accessibility and/or High Quality Learning Environments.
Family Child Care Homes (FCCs) are an essential component of the state’s child care mixed delivery system and help to meet the varied needs of New Jersey’s diverse population. FCCs are in the same neighborhoods where families live, provide culturally and linguistically appropriate care, flexible hours and often offer non-traditional hours. Investing in the quality of FCC facilities is essential to ensure that all families have access to these positive effects of quality child care. NJEDA aims to provide FCCs with support that promotes long-term stability and ensures that the child care environment that they provide is safe, healthy, accessible, and conducive to high-quality early learning.
An FCC will need to be a NJ registered business before a grant can be approved. More information about becoming a registered business is available here.
AMOUNT
Grants between $10,000 and $20,000
BENEFITS
Grants may be used to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment within the eligible categories of 1) Health, Safety and Accessibility and 2) High Quality Learning Environment
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be registered with the NJ Department of Children and Families through their local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency
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Prior to approval, applicants must be registered to do business in NJ and must provide a Tax Clearance Certificate
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At time of application, applicants must enroll or have enrolled in the 12 months prior to application, at least one child receiving support through the DHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Offer full time care (a minimum of 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, 10 months/year
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*See below for more details on Eligibility Requirements.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Phase 2 will provide grants between $10,000 – $20,000 for the purchase of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FFE) within the eligible categories of 1) Health, Safety and Accessibility and 2) High Quality Learning Environments. Applicants will be asked to provide a description of the requested items, why it is needed and how they will help improve these two categories.
Please note: This grant will not be funding any construction, repairs, renovation or installation that requires a construction contract; FFE not related to the care of children or uses not associated with health, safety, accessibility or quality of the learning environment.
ELIGIBILTY
- Registered with the NJ Department of Children and Families through their local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency
- Prior to approval be registered to do business in NJ and provide a Tax Clearance Certificate
- At time of application, applicants must enroll or have enrolled in the 12 months prior to application, at least one child receiving support through the DHS Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
- Offer full time care (a minimum of 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, 10 months/year
- Be in good standing with New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOL), and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the New Jersey Division of Taxation
- Limited to one (1) application per Registered FCC
- If not already enrolled in DHS’ Grow NJ Kids (GNJK) quality rating system must commit to enroll within one (1) year of executing a grant agreement with the EDA
- Commit to maintain registration with DCF to provide child care for two (2) years following execution of the grant agreement
AWARD SIZE
Grants between $10,000 and $20,000 to eligible registered FCCs to make improvements that will support the health, safety, accessibility, and quality of the spaces where children are cared for within the FCC.
Fifty percent (50%) of the approved grant amount will be disbursed to the FCC provider upon execution of the grant agreement. After purchasing items, the Grantee will submit proof of purchase equal to or higher than the first disbursement and will undergo EDA staff review and approval. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of funds will then be disbursed. The Grantee and will have three months to submit evidence of completed purchase and payment for eligible FFE purchased with the second disbursement.
FEES
No fees will be required for this program.