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OCDEL is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds available to eligible child care providers through stabilization grants issued through the Professional Development (PD) Registry.

Grant Funding for Child Care Providers

Stabilization grant funding can be used for a wide range of COVID-19 related expenses incurred in the past, present, or future. This includes expenses incurred on or after January 31, 2020, which have not been paid for with other grant funds. Funds can also be used towards expenses you anticipate as a result of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.

Apply

The ARPA Stabilization Grant application is now available to eligible child care providers in the Professional Development (PD) Registry.

Eligibility Guidelines

To qualify for funding, certified child care providers must:

• • have a regular or provisional Certificate of Compliance on or before March 11, 2021;
  • at the time of application, be either open and available to provide child care or be in a temporarily closed status due to a reason related to the COVID-19 pandemic; providers in a temporarily closed status must plan to reopen by September 30, 2021; and
  • at the time of application, have a Certificate of Compliance that is not in the Revocation or Refuse to Renew status with the OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services.

Are relative providers eligible?

Some relative Child Care Works (CCW) providers may also be eligible. Information on relative provider eligibility and the application process will be shared directly with those providers.

How much funding will be distributed to providers?

Read this document to learn how stabilization grants will be calculated for eligible providers. Providers can also use the ARPA Stabilization Grant – Certified Provider Estimator to receive an estimate of how much they could receive.

What can these funds be used for?

Allowable expense categories include:

• • personnel costs,
  • rent/mortgage and utilities,
  • facilities maintenance and insurance (excluding major renovations),
  • personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, and other health/safety practices,
  • equipment and supplies,
  • goods and services, and
  • mental health supports for employees and children.

Watch the Recorded Webinar

A recording on the live September 8 webinar on ARPA Stabilization Grants is now available. It provides information on preparing for the application, eligibility, the application process, required attestation, expenses, payments, record keeping, reporting, and monitoring. Here are other resources:

• • ARPA Stabilization Grants Webinar Slide Deck
  • List of Application Questions for Eligible Providers
  • Copy of the Attestation Eligible Certified Providers Must Submit

Request Support

To request support in thinking through how to best use these funds for your program, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC).

How to Prepare

To prepare for the application process, complete the following steps:

1. Create or Review Your PD Registry Profile

Child care directors, owners, administrators, or fiscal staff should create or review their accounts in the PD Registry. The person completing the application for your facility must have an account to apply. Learn how to create an account.

2. Claim Your Organization in the PD Registry

Make sure you have claimed your organization in the PD Registry. The person who plans to complete the application must claim your organization as an administrator within the facility. Each facility can have multiple administrators, but only one person may apply for grant funding.

Receive Grant Updates

To receive updates on the ARPA Stabilization Grants, subscribe to the PA Early Education News & Special Announcements newsletter from the Pennsylvania Key. Continue to check your email or view announcements on the Pennsylvania Key website.

Ask A Question

For questions about creating an account and claiming your organization, email registry@pakeys.org. To read more news, visit Trying Together’s News page or subscribe to our newsletters.