• The Indiana CARES About Child Care Fund is now closed. Providers needing assistance may qualify for supports through Build, Learn, Grow.

  Child Care Expense Reimbursement Fund

  Indiana CARES About Child Care Fund grants support early care and school-age providers that meet the eligibility criteria.

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• Max Request: $3,000

  

• Max Request: $7,500

  

• Max Request: $12,500

  

General

• What is the Indiana CARES About Child Care fund?

  The Indiana CARES About Child Care fund provides critical relief funds to programs affected by the pandemic. The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has provided CARES Act funds to local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies to distribute to eligible providers in their areas. Providers may use these funds to reimburse themselves for equipment and supplies, staffing and professional services needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also emergency dollars available to providers who had had to temporarily close so that they can reopen.

• ¿Puedo recibir ayuda en español?

  Para recibir ayuda en español, envíenos un correo electrónico a cares@brighterfuturesindiana.org y escriba “Ayuda en español” en el tema del correo.

• Who should I contact if I have questions about the Indiana Cares About Child Care fund?

  Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency. To locate your agency and its contact information, click here.

• How much money am I eligible to receive?

  If you have temporarily closed due to a positive COVID-19 case, you are eligible to receive funding for the amount needed to safely reopen your program. If you remain open and serving children, your funding is based on your program’s capacity.

  Program Capacity

  • Less than 20: $3,000
  • 20-50: $7,500
  • More than 50: $12,500
• What type of professional cleaning service is recommended?

  Child care programs require special consideration. Cots, tabletops and toys are often subject to hands touching that go directly to the mouth. Because of this, these items must be sanitized with a chemical product that is safe for food contact surfaces. General disinfectants are not to be used on these surfaces as they require a potable rinse. For a list of products that the EPA has found to be effective against COVID-19 please visit this link. You can share OECOSL’s guidancelisted here under “Maintain Healthy Operations” with your cleaning service.

• How can I select a mental health provider, if I would like funding for that service?

  You should select a mental health professional that is licensed to practice in the state of Indiana. For a comprehensive list of mental health professionals and their certifications, click here.

• How often can I apply for this grant?

  Once you have been awarded, you may not apply for additional funding until you have been reimbursed. If you have a temporary closure due to COVID-19, you may however apply for additional emergency funding.

• Can I use this funding to open an additional location?

  No, you may not use this funding to open new locations.

• Can I use this funding to fund capital improvement (e.g. new flooring, permanent playground equipment)?

  No, this fund does not support capital expenses. This includes, but is not limited to, washing machines/dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, permanent structures, fences, additional walls/rooms, doors and sinks/faucets.

• Can I use this funding to pay for current staff?

  This funding can pay for wages for current staff as long as the wages are for ADDITIONAL work related to COVID-19. This funding is not meant for expenses related to new hire requirements, bonuses, staff raises or hazard pay.Funding is not meant for holiday, paid time off (PTO) or sick pay.

• How can I use this funding to provide social/emotional learning materials?

  Examples of these types of materials might be books, puppets, materials to create calming spaces and sensory materials.

• Can I receive funding to cover lost revenue due to a temporary closure related to COVID-19?

  You should apply for the OECOSL Child Care Closure Assistance Grant at this link.

• Can I use funding for cleaning services?

  Additional cleaning services and materials related to COVID safety measures may be funded by this grant.

• How will I reimbursement for an emergency application?

  If your program or classrooms have been temporarily closed due to a positive COVID case you need to apply for an emergency closure grant. Receipts dated on or after your grant application date will be considered for reimbursement. Some programs requesting emergency funding may be contacted directly by the local CCR&R in reference to the requirements and documentation for their requests.

• How many weeks of staffing can I apply for?

  You may apply for up to four weeks of staffing.

Application

• How can I apply?

  The Indiana CARES About Child Care Fund is now closed. Providers needing assistance may qualify for supports through Build, Learn, Grow.

• What is the deadline for applications?

  The Indiana CARES About Child Care Fund is now closed. Providers needing assistance may qualify for supports through Build, Learn, Grow.

• How do I calculate capacity for my application?

  If you are a licensed program, you should report your licensed capacity. If you are exempt from licensing, please report your capacity based on other factors, such as your local fire marshal’s recommendation based on your building size. You may include children of all ages, including school age, as part of your total capacity.

• How do I create a PDF, JPEG or PNG to upload required documents?

  To save a Microsoft Office document (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) as a PDF, click Save As. Under File Format, select PDF. To save a page from a web browser as a PDF, select File, then Print and then Save as PDF. Some web browsers provide an “Export as PDF” option under File. If using a photo on your phone, it should already be a JPEG or PNG format. If the photo is not uploading, make sure to turn off your “live photo” setting, retake the photo and try to submit it again.

• Is there technical assistance available to help me complete this application?

  Yes, your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency can answer your questions and help you complete the application. Clickhere to find your CCR&R’s contact information. Providers can also call (765) 942-1271 for questions about this grant or email cares@brighterfuturesindiana.org

• I operate a multi-site program. Should I submit one application per site, or one for the entire network?

  Please submit one application per site.

• I have questions about how receiving this grant may affect my taxes.

  To determine the tax implications of receiving this funding, we recommend you consult with a tax professional, who can better advise you on your situation.

• To determine my program's capacity, do I include seats funded by Early Head Start child care partnerships?

  No, please subtract those seats from your capacity for this grant.

Eligibility

• Who is eligible to apply?

  Eligible nonprofit and for-profit organizations must be:

  • Open and actively serving children ages 0-12. If temporarily closed due to a COVID-19 case, the program must have served children at some point during the previous 30 days
  • An approved CCDF provider
  • A licensed center, family child care home, unlicensed registered ministry or legally licensed-exempt providers (LLEP) that are not schools or Head Start/Early Head Start grantees in the state of Indiana, and are in good standing with licensing
• If I am an approved CCDF provider but we don't currently have any children who use CCDF vouchers, am I eligible for this grant?

  Yes, a program needs to be an approved CCDF provider but does not need to be actively serving children who use CCDF vouchers.

• If we have recently received other funding, such as a Paycheck Protection Program loan or a Temporary Relief Grant from the state, are we eligible to apply?

  Yes. Programs that have received state grants or other emergency public funding during the COVID-19 pandemic are still eligible to apply. Funding priority may be given to programs that have not accessed other available grant funds.

• I didn't receive a confirmation email. How do I know if I successfully submitted my application?

  If you did not receive a confirmation email within an hour of submitting your application, please check all junk and spam folders. If you do not have an email, please call (765) 942-1271.

• My program is currently closed. Am I eligible to apply?

  If your program is temporarily closed and has served children at some point within the past 30 days, you may still apply. The application will ask you to note your planned reopening date.

• Am I eligible for funding if my program has a provisional license?

  Yes, you are eligible if your program has a provisional license.

Timing

• When will I be notified of award results?

  Awards will be announced on a rolling basis. If you applied for funds needed to reopen your program after a temporary closure due to a COVID-19 positive case, your application may be reviewed more quickly.

• If awarded, how long will it take to receive funding?

  To receive your funding, you must submit documentation of your expenses to your local child care resource and referral agency. You will be provided with reporting templates to use for this, and your funding will be processed and distributed to you within 60 days of the reimbursement documentation being signed, unless otherwise specified.

• Can we apply for expenses we've already incurred?

  No, we can only reimburse expenses incurred after approval of your application.