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Child Care Stabilization

man showing a toy airplane to a little boy

As a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA), and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the Department of Economic Security (DES) received an increase in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) award of approximately $1.3 billion, with funding available from March 2020 through September 2024.

The Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Plan (8/2023) details how DES focused its funding to support families and child care providers across the state. Arizona’s Child Care stabilization programs support growth and sustainability of Arizona’s quality child care system, ensuring widespread access to quality child care across the state, providing support to low-income working families.

Previous Grant and Scholarship Programs

The following scholarships and resources were in effect:

  • Arizona Child Care Assistance Provider Grant (October 2023 - June 2024): One-time payment supporting DES contracted child care programs and DES certified family child care providers who serve children eligible for DES Child Care Assistance.
  • Arizona Education Workforce Scholarship (April 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024): Provided child care assistance to eligible employees in the child care workforce, and employees in PreK-public schools and publicly funded charter schools.
  • Child Care Stabilization Grant (July 19, 2021 - June 30, 2023)
  • Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Grant through September 30, 2023: Beginning December 2022, DES funding will be available through LISC Phoenix to support grantmaking and technical assistance activities to address the urgent need across Arizona for families and communities to access child care. Project funding may be used for eligible expenses made between September 30, 2022 and September 20, 2023.
  • Child Care Workforce Retention and Recruitment Grant (CCWRR), June 2021: assistance for child care providers with salaries and benefits for employees, and bonus incentives for hiring and retention.
  • Essential Workers Child Care Relief Scholarship Program (EWCCR), December 2020-September 2021: A scholarship program available to Arizona’s critical health care workers, first responders, essential government operations, grocery store and food bank workers, and licensed/certified child care workers.
  • COVID-19 Grant, September-November 2020: used to help child care providers cover a variety of expenses during the COVID-19 crisis including salaries and benefits for employees, DHS licensing fees, liability insurance, tuition and registration relief for families, lease and mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning supplies, classroom materials and supplies, and additional supplies required by CDC and DHS guidelines.
  • Arizona Enrichment Center Program, April-August 2020: Support to child care providers serving first responders, critical health care workers, and essential public sector employees during the COVID-19 emergency.
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