Child Care Closure Grants

Providers must be eligible to receive CCDF and be a licensed center, family child care home, unlicensed registered ministry or legally licensed-exempt provider. Schools (public or private) and Head Start/Early Head Start grantees in the state of Indiana are not eligible.

Apply at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-for-oecosl-stakeholders/.

If the program closure is due to a staff member testing positive, provide documentation of the confirmed positive test with the staff member’s name, date, and results on the form. All staff must have approved consent forms/background checks to work on file with OECOSL. If the program closure is due to a child testing positive, submit the name of the child, along with attendance sheets showing the child’s last date of attendance.

The sum of total grants awarded across all programs per closure period is capped at $40,000

Grant award windows run through the end of 2021 or until funds are no longer needed. View the grant application windows at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-for-oecosl-stakeholders/

If you’ve missed the grant application window, contact Rene Withers at rene.withers@fssa.in.gov to request a review for an exception to apply

Grant funds are designed to help continue paying child care staff and maintaining operations for the time period of the required COVID-19 closure. The grant should cover the cost of lost revenue during closure from children who are funded through private pay/cash pay.

Grant award decisions are typically made and communicated within one week of the application window closing. View dates at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance-for-oecosl-stakeholders/

Grant awards take place on the bi-weekly CCDF happens one week after the application window closes. View dates at https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/provider-reimbursements/.

Yes, programs may apply for one grant for each closure. If applying for subsequent grants, a program that has not previously received funding may be given priority.

No, programs are not required to report their use of grant funds, however, you should keep documentation about your program’s use of the funds to provide in the event of an audit.