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Funding Opportunities Available to Child Care Workers and Programs

The following funding opportunities are being made available to child care workers and programs affected by the COVID-19 crisis. To learn more about each option, scroll down and find the corresponding heading for a more detailed description.

  • Recruitment and Retention Bonuses - for individual child care workers
  • Stabilization Grants - for child care programs
  • CCA Absent Day Billing
  • Investing in Iowa’s Child Care (IICC) Funding Program
  • Statewide WAGE$ Contract
     

    Recruitment and Retention Bonuses

    Funds go to child care workers. Each individual worker should apply.  

    Based on recommendations within the Governor’s Child Care Task Force Report, DHS will start providing Recruitment and Retention Bonuses to support the child care system and its employees. These bonuses are part of the Iowa Worker Premium Pay Program. Each individual child care employee will need to submit their own application. The application link as well as more information are provided below. If there are additional questions about this program you may email IARetention@tetratech.com or call 1-833-671-1377.

     

    Stabilization Grants

    The Stabilization Grant Application Period is closed. Programs awarded Stabilization Grants can continue to access information about their award at the links below.

     

    CCA Absent Day Billing

    Beginning November 1, 2021, DHS will be using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to increase the number of monthly absent days for the Child Care Assistance (CCA) program from 4 to 6. This change will be effective through September 30, 2023.
     

    Investing in Iowa’s Child Care (IICC) Funding Program

    Please note: This program is no longer accepting new applications.
     
    The IICC was a funding program intended to increase availability of child care throughout the State.  The program is administered by Child Care Resource and Referral with funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021. Funding is available for programs that are licensed or registered by DHS or are seeking to be licensed or registered by DHS. There were three types of funding available:
     
    • Start-up funding: funding for applicants that are in the process of becoming licensed or registered by DHS
    • Expansion funding: funding for child care facilities that are already licensed or registered but want to expand the number of children they are able to care for.
    • Urgent Regulatory funding: funding for child care facilities that are already licensed or registered and have an urgent need related to regulations.
       
    • IICC Flyer
    • Awards Summary
    • 2021 Map
    • IICC Round 2
    • IICC Round 2 Award Summary
       

    Statewide WAGE$ Contract

    Starting July 1, 2021, DHS is using funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to contract with Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children (IA AEYC) to provide WAGE$ stipends statewide. Previously the program was only available in a limited number of Iowa counties. WAGE$ stipends provide education-based salary supplements to the child care workforce to help combat low wages and supports retention of the child care workforce. For more information about eligibility and to apply to participate in the WAGE$ program please visit the IA AEYC website at http://www.iowaaeyc.org/wage.cfm.