North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today that eligible licensed child care providers may receive grant funds for facility improvements, minor renovations, related equipment and services, and costs related to meeting health, safety and licensing needs through the new Facility Improvement Grant.
As a component of the ND Child Care Initiative, the grant is designed to support the state’s ongoing effort to stabilize the child care sector, ensuring all families have access to high-quality, affordable and available child care.
“We are pleased to be accepting applications for this new grant that will help enhance early childhood environments for providers and the children in their care,” HHS Early Childhood Section Director Kay Larson said. “Funds for this type of support are in high need, and we expect to see an influx of applications from providers who have been waiting for this opportunity.”
HHS also offers several other grant opportunities to support new and existing child care programs in a variety of care and learning settings. These grants align with HHS’ strategic priority of supporting the advancement of strong, stable, healthy families and communities.
In addition to the grants, providers can access the Shared Services Alliance managed by Child Care Aware® of North Dakota to receive free business training and coaching through the Women's Business Center, plus access to child care management software and an online digital curriculum.
Grow Child Care Grant aims to increase licensed child care availability in North Dakota by providing funds for a newly licensed program or an existing program that is expanding in a high-needs county or a program in any county that is increasing its infant and toddler capacity. High-needs counties include Benson, Dunn, Kidder, McKenzie, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Renville, Rolette, Sioux, Stark, Towner, Williams and Walsh counties.
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) Quality Improvement Grant is available annually to early childhood programs licensed by HHS that attain and maintain a Bright and Early ND Step 2, Step 3 or Step 4 Quality Rating. Grant funds may be used to purchase materials and supplies, support professional development opportunities or offset the costs of operating a quality program.
Inclusive Care Support Grant is designed to help licensed or self-declared programs create and maintain an inclusive environment that supports children with disabilities or developmental delays to learn, grow, play and develop alongside their peers in an inclusive setting.
Additional information, including where to apply for child care grants can be found at hhs.nd.gov/child-care-grants.
In 2023, Gov. Doug Burgum signed House Bill 1540, which allocated nearly $66 million of state funds to work alongside federal funds for the ND Child Care Initiative. The objective of the initiative is to alleviate one of the state’s major barriers to workforce participation, child care. To address the state’s workforce needs, the initiative focuses on three key elements of the child care workforce barrier: availability, affordability and quality. Addressing these elements will make it easier for parents and guardians to work, provide for their families and strengthen local businesses and their communities. Learn more about the initiative at hhs.nd.gov/nd-child-care-initiative.