Focus On Child Care Grant

Building Resilience Post-Pandemic

Grant Application Period: January 18th, 2024 – February 19th, 2024

thread is excited to partner with the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office for the Focus on Child Care Grant: Building Resilience Post-PandemicThe funding for this grant is possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Supplemental Fund, with the State of Alaska’s Child Care Program Office as the lead agency and thread as the intermediary for grant distribution. Additional funding is available to eligible programs located in the Municipality of Anchorage with a grant from the Municipality of Anchorage’s Assembly and Mayor’s Office. Applications open on January 18th, 2024, and close February 19th, 2024. You can apply here.

The Focus on Child Care Grant: Building Resilience Post-Pandemic will be the final non-competitive grant available through COVID-19 relief funds. Grant amounts will be based on licensed capacity. Once the application period ends, the formula will be finalized, and this information will be available on the thread website.

The State of Alaska has provided over $50 million dollars of child care stabilization grants through federal COVID-19 relief. The State of Alaska, Child Care Program Office has chosen to allocate remaining COVID-19 relief resources on this Focus on Child Care grant opportunity to assist with building resilience post-pandemic. These funds are the last remaining federal COVID-19 resources that will be allocated to broad based child care program grants.

Additional funding is available to eligible programs located in the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) by way of the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) Child Care Stabilization Grant. The funding for this grant is possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund via a grant from the Municipality of Anchorage’s Assembly and Mayor’s Office. thread is the intermediary for grant distribution. This is a second round of funding from thread provided from the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA).  Even if your program received funding from this MOA location-based grant previously, you are eligible for this second round of funding.

The application is now open and eligible programs are encouraged to apply. Don’t delay and apply now!

Eligibility

This is not a competitive grant process. All eligible child care programs statewide will receive the Focus on Child Care Grant: Building Resilience Post-Pandemic by successfully completing the application process within the application time period of January 18th, 2024 – February 19th, 2024.

The following program types statewide are eligible to apply:

  • Licensed Child Care Center
  • Licensed Group Home
  • Licensed Family Child Care
  • Licensed Afterschool/School-age Program
  • Approved Relative or In-Home Care 
  • Programs must be open on the date of application and certify they will remain open for three months following receipt of funds.

Not eligible:

  • Programs not licensed through the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office or Municipality of Anchorage.
  • Programs not opened as of February 19th, 2024.
Funding Areas

The grant can be used for one or more of the following purposes:

  • Rent or mortgage, utilities, facility maintenance and improvements
  • Personnel costs, benefits, premium pay, recruitment, retention
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), cleaning and sanitation supplies and or updates to equipment and supplies to respond to COVID-19
  • Goods and services necessary to maintain or resume child care services
  • Mental health supports for children and employees
  • Investment in technology
Get Ready to Apply

Preparation makes the application process fast and easy!

  1. Download the Google Chrome Web Browser
    While the application process can be completed using a tablet or smart phone, it will work best using the Google Chrome web browser on a laptop or desktop computer. Download the (free) Google Chrome web browser to begin.
  2. Have Your Child Care Program License Nearby
    You will need to enter the program facility type from your child care license. Also be prepared to answer questions about your current enrollment and desired capacity.
  3. Know Your Program ICCIS Number
    You will need to enter the program’s ICCIS number (the Integrated Child Care Information System number) as listed on a formal correspondence from the State of Alaska Child Care Program Office.
  4. Have Your State of Alaska Business License Available
    You will need to enter the program’s legal business name as listed on your State of Alaska business license.
  5. Calculate Your Total Monthly Program Expenses
    This is the monthly sum of all program expenses such as mortgage/rent, utilities, personnel, insurance, family support, supplies, food, materials.
  6. Download IRS Form W9
    You will need to upload a current, completed, signed IRS Form W9 to the application. Download IRS Form W9.
  7. Have a Recent Income Tax Return Available to Complete IRS Form W9
    Enter your name on the IRS Form W9 as it is listed on a recent income tax return.
  8. Complete, Sign & Save IRS Form W9
    After you download the form, complete and sign the form. Save the completed form to your laptop or desktop. It is ready to upload to the application.

Watch “Completing the W9” Video

FAQs

Have questions about the details of the Focus on Child Care Grant: Building Resilience Post-Pandemic? Check out the FAQ page for the latest information available.

Questions & Application Help

If requested thread will answer questions and provide technical assistance to all programs making a grant application.

Email covidrelief@threadalaska.org