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To assist DHS-certified child care providers in addressing the ongoing workforce crisis, Work Force Support Grants are now available.

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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering Work Force Support Grants to Department of Human Services’ (DHS) certified child care providers using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) funds. The funds in these grants are being made available to assist providers with current staffing shortages.

ARPA eligible providers will be funded through $27.9 million of uncommitted ARPA Stabilization Grant funds and $70 million of ARPA Stabilization administrative set-aside funds. DHS-certified care providers who are identified as not ARPA eligible will be funded through CRRSA funds. These funds will be distributed through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC).

Eligibility

Funds through the Work Force Support Grants are being provided to support the work of ongoing staff in centers, as well as assisting providers with staff recruitment.

All criteria outlined below must be met at the time the application is submitted for a DHS-certified child care provider to be eligible:

• Held a regular or provisional Certificate of Compliance on or before May 16, 2022;

• Be open and actively providing child care to one or more child(ren) in attendance at the provider location;

• Hold a Certificate of Compliance that is not in a Revocation or Refuse to Renew status with OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services;

• Not be under investigation by the Office of State Inspector General for, or previously convicted of fraud; and

• Not had their Child Care Works (CCW) provider agreement revoked due to fraud.

Applications for the Work Force Support Grants are now open and will be accepted through June 17, 2022. 

Attached are both the Application in English (PDF) and the Application in Spanish (PDF). Please email your completed application to grants.elrc5@alleghenycounty.us; drop it off or mail it to 304 Wood Street Commons, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222; or fax it to 412.350.3575.