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New Grants Available to Grow Child Care and Early Learning
Programs Expanding Access for Families
COLUMBUS, OHIO – Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente today announced a new $15 million Infant and Toddler Infrastructure Grant Program that will allow currently licensed centers to expand their programs, creating more access to early childhood education for families.
“Experts say that 80 percent of a child’s brain develops by the time they are three years, making early learning critically important,” said Director Wente. “By helping child care providers expand their capacity, we are also opening up more opportunities for our youngest learners in areas where there is a high need.”
Child care programs have struggled to maintain an adequate workforce and have closed classrooms. These grants are intended to offset the higher costs associated with lower staff-to-child ratios for infants and toddlers and the additional space, equipment and supplies needed to serve this age group.
These grants may be used to provide workforce supports, reopen an infant/toddler classroom, convert a closed classroom to an infant/toddler classroom or expand programs for infant/toddler space, open new programs, technical assistance, facilities improvement, and classroom supplies.
Licensed providers who meet the requirements listed below may qualify:
- Have an active provider agreement to offer or deliver publicly funded child care.
- Operate in an Ohio Equity Initiative community within Butler, Cuyahoga, Franklin, Hamilton, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Stark or Summit counties.
- Serve or intend to serve infants and toddlers during the life of the grant without displacing children from other age groups.
For more information about these opportunities, please visit the following links:
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The Ohio Department of Children and Youth's mission is to promote positive, lifelong outcomes for Ohio youth through early intervention, quality education, and family support programs.
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