Child Care Grants
Child Care Grant Fund
The Child Care Grant Fund has $200,000 to award yearly to Nebraska child care providers. Providers must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Making minor building modifications absolutely necessary to meet licensing requirements for new (not yet licensed) programs.
- Making minor building modifications or purchasing equipment to increase the number of infants, children with disabilities, children who may be ill, and/or school-age children served.
- Making minor building modifications for licensed providers changing from a Family Child Care Home I to a Family Child Care Home II or a Family Child Care Home II to a Center.
Applications are available on a monthly basis. Home-based facilities can apply for up to $5,000 and centers can apply for up to $10,000. Once an award is received, applicants may not apply again for three years.
Emergency Mini-Grants
Emergency Mini-Grants award a total of $50,000 throughout the year. Providers must be licensed and requesting items that are required to meet licensing standards with appropriate documentation. The maximum amount of the Emergency Mini-Grant is $2,000 for providers with an operating license. Providers with a provisional license can apply for up to $1,000. A facility can receive an Emergency Mini-Grant once every three years. Applicants not funded may reapply.
Legally Exempt Grant
Providers who provide care for families who receive child care subsidy and are not required to be licensed because they care for fewer than four children, may apply for the Legally Exempt Grant. The maximum amount of this grant is $100. These grants can be used for mats, first aid kits, electrical outlet covers, cribs, bumper pads, telephones and deposits, cots, smoke alarms, lock boxes, playpens and toys. once funded, providers may reapply for this grant after three years.
Quality Improvement Grant
The Quality Improvement Grant awards a maximum of $500 to child care homes or child care centers for items that will improve the quality of the services offered to children. Applications are accepted monthly, and eligible applicants must be licensed, and must currently be serving low-income children. Once a grant has been awarded, applicants may not reapply for funding until three years have passed.
For more information, contact:
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Grants Manager, Child Care Program
P.O. Box 95026
Lincoln, NE 68509-5044
Phone: (402) 471-9152
E-mail: Diane Lewis
