OCFS Now Accepting Applications for Child Care Stabilization Grant

On July 30, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York State will administer nearly $1.1 billion in stabilization grants to support child care providers and enable New York’s families to return to work. This funding will provide direct support to help early childhood programs recover from the devastating impact COVID-19 and stabilize New York’s child care industry.

This historic investment is being funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. It represents the largest single investment in child care in New York State’s history. The grant funding will be managed by New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

More Information from Governor Cuomo’s Announcement

The Governor’s announcement included the following information regarding providers who are eligible to receive the grant:

“Eligible providers include OCFS-licensed or registered programs, permitted New York City day care centers and legally exempt group programs that are enrolled with an enrollment agency. To be eligible, the programs must have been open and serving children in person as of March 11, 2021 and open and available to provide in-person services on the date they apply for the grant. This includes child care providers that are open and staffed to provide in-person care even if there are no children currently enrolled. Programs that are not providing services on the date of application may also be eligible for this grant if the program closed temporarily due to public health, financial hardship, or other reasons relating to the COVID-19, and attest that they will begin serving children within a specified timeframe.”

OCFS will also provide $10 million to 35 child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs) and other key stakeholders to provide technical assistance to help child care providers access and implement the stabilization grants.