Additional Funding to Support Ohio Childcare Centers
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Applications are being accepted for the fourth round of Ohio childcare stabilization grants, and steps are being taken to increase the base rates for publicly funded childcare beginning Feb. 4.
“We have been focused on increasing the safe, stable, quality childcare programs to ensure Ohio’s youngest students have the best possible foundation for their future learning,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “We are now focusing on supporting early childhood professionals in order to increase the availability of childcare spaces for working parents and caregivers.”
Applications for childcare stabilization grants are available on the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association website. The $200 million childcare discretionary funding grants from the federal American Rescue Plan Act can be used for operating costs, workforce recruitment and retention, expanding access or mental health and well-being of students and employees.
“Childcare employers are balancing employee shortages and increasing costs,” said Kara Wente, Ohio Department of Children and Youth director. “Increasing the base rate reimbursement for publicly funded childcare will help more than 5,000 programs across the state. This sustained increase in reimbursements and another round of one-time grant money will help struggling providers support children and their families.”
The base reimbursement rate for publicly funded childcare will increase to the 35th percentile of the 2022 market rate survey as part of an effort for reimbursement rates to increase to the 50th percentile by Dec. 2024.
Pictured at top: Photo courtesy of pexels.com.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
