Emergency Relief Programs For Child Care Sector

The bill creates 2 emergency relief grant programs to allow the state to allocate and quickly distribute money to existing licensed and start-up child care providers (providers) in Colorado. The child care sustainability grant program (sustainability program) is created in the department of human services (department). The purpose of the sustainability program is to provide financial support to licensed providers in Colorado, including those that are in danger of closing as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The department shall develop a formula, criteria, and timeline to allocate grants to eligible providers. A grant award from the sustainability program must range from at least $500 to no more than $35,000. A licensed provider's child care capacity is a key criteria in determining the amount of the grant award. The department shall determine grant award amounts for eligible providers as soon as possible, but no later than January 31, 2021, and distribute the money for grant awards no later than February 28, 2021. The emerging and expanding child care grant program (expansion program) is created in the department. The purpose of the expansion program is to expand access and availability of licensed providers throughout Colorado. The intent of the expansion program is to provide financial assistance to new or existing providers. A grant award from the expansion program must range from at least $3,000 to no more than $50,000. A grant award from the expansion program may be used for costs associated with expansion of an existing provider or to assist with the creation of a new child care program. Costs may include staff training, background check fees, cleaning supplies, educational supplies, and capital or facility improvement costs. The department shall begin the grant award process on or before January 31, 2021. The bill makes an appropriation. (Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.) (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)