Child Care Stabilization Grants

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You are on this page: Child Care Stabilization Grants

Applications for the Child Care Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports grant are no longer being accepted. The application period ended December 14, 2022. View a submitted Stabilization 1.0 or 2.0 grant application by clicking the button below:

View my Application

Stabilization Help Line: 844-863-9319

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Overview

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has awarded $900 million to 15,000 eligible child care providers through the Child Care Stabilization Grant. The first Child Care Stabilization grant (also known as Stabilization 1.0) was released on August 3, 2021 and $1.074 billion was made available to eligible child care providers. Applications were closed for the Child Care Stabilization 1.0 on November 30, 2021.

Based on the success of the Child Care Stabilization 1.0 grants, OCFS distributed another round of funds with the Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports grant to child care providers to strengthen their infrastructure and support their workforce. OCFS has awarded $208 million to 12,578 child care providers through the Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports grant. The second child care stabilization grant was released on July 5, 2022. Applications were closed for the Child Care Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports on December 14, 2022.

Statement of Grant Opportunities

Stabilization 1.0

Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports

Stabilization 1.0 Historical References

Review Existing Application

New applications for the Child Care Stabilization Grant are no longer being accepted. The application period ended November 30, 2021. If you previously applied, you can view your existing application here:

View my Application

Eligibility

Providers who applied for the Stabilization Grant must have met eligibility requirements, been in good standing and be a licensed/registered, permitted NYC day care center (Article 47 only), or enrolled as a legally-exempt group program in NYS (enrolled with an enrollment agency) as of March 11, 2021.

Who was Eligible for Stabilization Funds?

Eligible programs included:

  • OCFS licensed programs
    • Day Care Centers (DCC)
    • Group Family Day Care (GFDC)
  • OCFS registered programs
    • School Age Child Care (SACC)
    • Family Day Care (FDC)
    • Small Day Care Centers (SDCC)
  • NYCDOHMH permitted programs
    • Article 47 programs only
  • Enrolled Legally Exempt Group Programs
    • Must be enrolled with an enrollment agency

Frequently Asked Questions

What can funds be used for?

Funds can be used for purposes allowed under the Federal ARP ACT Child Care Stabilization Fund guidelines, including:

  • Personnel costs, including payroll, salaries, similar employee compensation, employee benefits, retirement costs, educational costs, child care costs; and supporting staff expenses in accessing COVID-19 vaccines;
  • Rent (including under a lease agreement) or payment on any mortgage obligation, utilities, or insurance; also, may include late fees or charges related to late payments;
  • Facility maintenance or improvements, defined as minor renovations, including outdoor learning spaces/playgrounds, and minor improvements to address COVID-19 concerns;
  • Personal protective equipment, cleaning and sanitization supplies and services, or training and professional development related to health and safety practices;
  • Purchases of or updates to equipment and supplies to respond to COVID–19;
  • Goods and services necessary to maintain or resume child care services;
  • Mental health supports for children and employees;
  • Health and safety trainings for staff, including but not limited to CPR, First Aid, and medication administration.
How will funds be received?

Funds will be sent as six-monthly payments, either by direct deposit or by check. Your first payment will be sent within 30 days of the approval of the grant application. If you have an SFS Vendor ID, you will get your funds by direct deposit. If you do not have an SFS vendor ID, you can choose to get your funds by direct deposit or you can have a paper check mailed to the address selected on the grant application. Payments may be interrupted or cancelled if the status of the program changes.

What should I do if information on my application (e.g., name, email, phone number) is incorrect?

You should reach out to your regulator who will have the information corrected. You will not be able to proceed with the Stabilization application process until this information is corrected.

Have more questions? Download the Complete FAQ or see the Help Center below.

The complete FAQ is also available in other languages.
• عربى • বাংলা • 中文 • Français • Kreyòl Ayisyen • Italiano • 한국어 • Polskie • Pусский • Español • יידיש •

Application Walkthrough

Getting Started

  1. Create a My NY.gov ID
  2. Grant Application Access and Login
  3. Provider Verification and Eligibility Status
  4. Application Landing Page: Instructions and Tips

Completing the Application

  1. Application Step One: General Application Information
  2. Application Step Two: Operational Status
  3. Application Step Three: Child Count Information
  4. Application Step Four: Options for Use of Funds
  5. Application Step Five: Estimated Grant Award Amount
  6. Application Step Six: Payment Information
    Application Step Six: Payment Information for SFS Vendors
  7. Application Step Seven: Review Your Application
  8. Application Step Eight: Provider Attestations and Application Submission

Video Walkthrough

Getting Started

  1. How to create a My Ny.gov ID
  2. How to login into the grant application and access the system
  3. Application Instructions and Tips

Completing the Application

  1. How to Complete Step One of the Application
  2. How to Complete Step Two of the Application
  3. How to Complete Step Three of the Application
  4. How to Complete Step Four of the Application
  5. How to Complete Step Five of the Application
  6. How to Complete Step Six of the Application
  7. How to Complete Step Seven of the Application
  8. How to Complete Step Eight of the Application

Directions and Video Walkthroughs in Other Languages

Direcciones en Español
Other languages
• عربى • বাংলা • 中文 • Français • Kreyòl Ayisyen • Italiano • 한국어 • Polskie • Pусский • יידיש •

Options for Use of Funds

You have multiple options for spending your grant money. Use it to make a variety of physical and program updates or improvements, like: maintenance or minor changes to your physical space, buying cleaning supplies or personal protective equipment, paying late fees on business-related bills, getting more play equipment, providing staff training, and finding resources to support staff and children’s mental health.

Helpful Resources for How to Use Funds

Funding Options in Other Languages

Spanish / Español
Arabic / عربى
Bengali / বাংলা
Chinese, traditional / 中文
French / Français
Haitian Creole / Kreyòl Ayisyen
Italian / Italiano
Korean / 한국어
Polish / Polskie
Russian / Pусский
Yiddish / יידיש

Stabilization 2.0 for Workforce Supports Historical References

Eligibility

Eligible program types include OCFS licensed or registered programs, enrolled legally-exempt group child care programs and NYC permitted group child care (as defined in Article 47 of the New York City Health Code) programs that were licensed/registered/permitted/enrolled on or before January 1, 2022. No provider will be able to apply for Stabilization 1.0 grant as that application period has closed. Providers who were licensed/registered/permitted/enrolled on or before January 1, 2022 are eligible to apply.

As of July 5, DCC, GFDC, FDC, SDCC and NYC GDC that received Stabilization 1.0 can apply.

As of August 30, SACC providers who received Stabilization 1.0 grants, as well as new providers can apply.

Eligible programs included:

  • OCFS licensed programs
    • Day Care Centers (DCC)
    • Group Family Day Care (GFDC)
  • OCFS registered programs
    • School Age Child Care (SACC)
    • Family Day Care (FDC)
    • Small Day Care Centers (SDCC)
  • NYCDOHMH permitted programs
    • Article 47 programs only
  • Enrolled Legally Exempt Group Programs
    • Must be enrolled with an enrollment agency

To be eligible, all providers must be “In good standing.” For full eligibility requirements review the Statement of Grant Opportunity.

Webinar Presentations & Recordings

Frequently Asked Questions

What can funds be used for?

To support the child care workforce and to assist with recruitment and retention efforts, at least 75% workforce initiatives funding can be used for the below expenses:

  • Bonuses or increases in wages
  • Contributions towards health insurance costs that reduce such costs for staff
  • Contributions to staff retirement plans that supplement any employer contribution
  • Supplemental educational advancement or tuition reimbursement
  • Mental health supports and services for staff

The remaining Child Care Stabilization Grant 2.0 for Workforce Supports funding (a maximum 25%) can be used for other eligible expenses, for purposes allowed under the Federal guidelines. For a full list of allowable expenses review the Statement of Grant Opportunity.

What is the application process like?

The Child Care Stabilization Grant 2.0 for Workforce Supports application period is 07/05/22-11/30/22. Applications will be continuously accepted, until 11:59 pm on 11/30/2022. Providers can receive only one stabilization grant for workforce supports per licensed/registered/permitted or enrolled legally-exempt group child care program. If a provider has multiple facility sites, one application will need to be submitted per site.

Once an application is approved, grant payments will be issued to providers for up to two payments, approximately sixty days apart. All payments to eligible and approved child care providers will be made before 7/30/2023.

To be eligible for the grant opportunity and to continue to receive grant payments, the provider must be in good standing, operating, and providing in-person care to at least one child who is enrolled and attending on a regular basis (defined as in-person attendance at least one day in a given month). Exceptions to attendance due to illness or other short-term issues will be considered for eligibility determination. Providers have until 9/30/2023 to make any payments for allowable stabilization grant uses incurred through 9/30/23 in accordance with the terms and conditions of this grant opportunity.

Where can I find the application portal?

The application portal can be found at childcare-grants.ocfs.ny.gov.

Apply Now!

You have until 11:59 pm on November 30, 2022 to complete your application.

Instructional User Guides

Help Center

Contact us by phone:
Stabilization Help Line: 844-863-9319

Contact by Webchat:
Chat online with a representative

Hours:
M-F: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Updates

Additional Resources

Federal Guidance

Federal Webinars on Child Care Stabilization Grants

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