Dear NYS Principals and Administrators,
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has announced that the federal Child Care Stabilization Grant application period is now open. This funding allocates over one billion dollars to support the child care community. For more information regarding this grant, we urge you to go to the Child Care Stabilization Grant Webpage which provides valuable information including the option to chat online with a representative if you have any questions.
Please read the information below carefully.
Is my program eligible?
If you answer yes to all the questions below, your program is eligible to receive these funds:
- Is your child care program either
- licensed or registered with OCFS, or
- an Article 47 program, or
- an enrolled legally exempt group (enrolled with an enrollment agency such as Whedco)? Note: Article 43 programs are eligible only if they are enrolled through Whedco.
- Was your permit issued on or before March 11, 2021?
- Is your program currently open, or will your program be open by September 20, 2021?
- If your program is currently closed due to COVID-19, will your program reopen within 30 days of your Stabilization grant application submission?
- Is your program in good standing with the NYC Health Department (see the Statement of Grant Opportunity for the definition of good standing)?
How to check for eligibility
To check if your program is licensed/registered, an Article 47 program, or an enrolled legally exempt group, you can search HERE.
- To search if your program is licensed or registered, in the program type, enter your school name in the name box and click “Find Day Care”.
- To search if your program is an enrolled legally exempt site, click on the check box that says “Search Only for Enrolled Legally-Exempt Group Child Care Programs”, enter your school name in the name box and click “Find Day Care”.
- Search tip: If you put in a % before the name you are searching for, it will come up with matches even if its not the exact name of the school. For example, if your school name is Darchei Chesed, searching %chesed should come up with a result.
How does the Stabilization grant work?
The Stabilization grant is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible New York State child care programs. Once approved, six monthly payments will be disbursed directly to the child care program. Payment begins within 30 days of approval. The Stabilization grant application is available from August 3, 2021, through 11:59 p.m. November 30, 2021. While funds have been allocated for all eligible programs, OCFS strongly encourages providers to apply as soon as possible. Any application received after the deadline will not be accepted.
I think my program is eligible. What do I do next?
- go to https://ocfs.ny.gov/childcare-stabilization and follow the steps to create an “ny.gov” account.
- Once you have an “ny.gov” account, you will have access to the Stabilization grant application.
- Before you begin your application, please gather the following required information:
-
- your program’s permit ID number,
- tax ID number (if applicable),
- your program’s estimated monthly expenses.
You must submit a separate application for EACH facility ID/permit/enrollment number.
If I am approved, what can I use the money for?
Federal guidelines allow Stabilization funds to be used for eight purposes. The list of allowable purposes can be found in the Statement of Grant Opportunity.
Please note that awarded funds may be used to pay expenses/debt incurred after January 31, 2020, if those expenses/purchases were made in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. While the program does not need to submit receipts or documentation to OCFS, the child care program MUST keep all documentation regarding the use of these funds for a period of five (5) years.
What do I do if I have questions?
If you need assistance with completing your application, please contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency (CCR&R). In addition to providing technical assistance, they have brief training videos and training materials available to help complete the process. A list of CCR&Rs can be found at https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/referral-agencies.php.
The OCFS Human Services Call Center is also available to answer questions at 844-863-9319.
If you have a general question, you may also email [email protected].
As always, feel free to reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
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Rabbi Yehoshua Pinkus
Director of Yeshiva Services
Ami Bazov, Esq.
Coordinator of Education Affairs
Yeshiva Services champions and guides yeshivos and day schools, advocates for resources at all levels of government, educates and guides yeshiva leadership, and defends yeshivos and their unique character under the guidance of Gedolei Yisroel, ensuring the continued growth of Klal Yisroel.