(Jackson, Miss.) – More than 1,100 Mississippi childcare centers have been awarded over $354 million following the first round of Child Care Strong Stabilization grants from the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS).
MDHS awarded grants to 1,114 childcare providers who applied in December 2021 and January 2022. Child Care Strong grants are designed to reimburse costs incurred by Child Care providers from January 31, 2020, through September 30, 2022. Funds are distributed to providers over six payments. Through April 2022, over $158 million has been distributed to childcare providers.
"I received my award letter today, and I am thrilled. Thank you all for this great opportunity to stabilize and address quality in my childcare program! I appreciate the focus you all are giving to our industry," stated Debbie Ellis of Greenwood.
These dollars will go directly to childcare providers to provide relief to help defray the continued business costs associated with the pandemic and to help stabilize their operations so that they may continue to provide care.
Stabilization Grants may be used to cover a range of expenses such as personnel costs, rent or mortgage payments, insurance, facility maintenance, and improvements, personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-related supplies, training, and professional development related to the health and safety practices, goods and services needed to resume providing care, mental health supports for children and early educators, and reimbursement of costs associated with the current public health emergency.
Over the first five months of 2022, MDHS has received positive feedback regarding the long-term benefits of the Child Care Strong Grants to stabilize and strengthen the childcare industry as the state emerges from the pandemic.
"Our sincere thank you for awarding funds from the Child Care Strong Grants. These funds are providing numerous working parents the assistance to receive free quality childcare in a safe and nurturing environment fostering developmental, academic, social/emotional skills and mental and physical health with qualified and adequate staffing with the proper PPE, support, classroom materials, and environment improvements," stated Charlene of the McLaurin Family Learning Center in Hattiesburg.
"The pandemic has tested the resilience of Mississippi's child care providers," said Robert G. (Bob) Anderson, Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. "As centers continue to provide services critical to the growth of our workforce and preparation of children for k-12 success, MDHS will work with providers to sustain the industry beyond the current round of Child Care Strong. We are presently exploring possible child care expansion ideas as the next step beyond these Child Care Strong grants."
"Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging and has even appeared grim at times, but together we are stronger, and through the burnouts and limitations in funds and needed tools and materials, we have managed to continue to fight to help our underserved community thrive. The Child Care Strong Grant will change the trajectory of not only the education and nurture received at the McLaurin Family Learning Academy but also the quality of life for staff, parents, homes, and the community. Thank you for standing and fighting for us and to help make a difference in the lives of the families we provide childcare services," Charlene added.
This is the second grant opportunity MDHS offered childcare providers during the pandemic. In addition, MDHS continues to support providers during the public health emergency by covering copayments and paying a 25% enhanced rate to child care providers.
Applications, grant schedules, and additional eligibility requirements are available at Child Care Strong - Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov)
