Applications for grants to assist child care providers licensed and registered with the South Dakota Department of Social Services are being taken starting today (Dec. 14, 2021).
DSS Secretary Laurie Gill says the state received $100 million through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to help support child care providers and families impacted by COVID-19. She says DSS will use the funds to support new and existing child care providers through a variety of grants including stabilization funding, program enhancements and startup funding for new daycares.
The initial distribution of this funding includes $60 million in stabilization grants to existing child care providers. DSS is managing the application process with an anticipated awarding of grants in January 2022. Grant awards will be based on the provider’s average monthly expenditures. The funding is available to child care providers registered and licensed by the Department of Social Services at the time of their application.
DSS provides assistance to low-income families who need help with child care costs while parents work or attend school. Additional information– including an online application– is available at dss.sd.gov/childcare/ or by calling Child Care Services at 1-800-227-3020.
Information on state child care registration or licensing is available at dss.sd.gov/childcare/licensing or by calling a licensing representative from the Office of Licensing and Accreditation at 1-800-227-3020.
Additional information on the ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants is available at dss.sd.gov.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through February 25, 2022, but will be reviewed and approved in two application phases: after Jan. 14, 2022, and after Feb. 25, 2022.
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