NJEDA Hosting Child Care Facilities Improvement Program Info Sessions

Attendees will learn how their licensed child care centers can apply for grants of up to $200,000 to make facility upgrades

On Sep 13, 2022

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) will host virtual information sessions on Sept. 15 and Sept. 19 for applicants interested in applying to NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program. Funded at $54.5 million, this program builds upon Gov. Phil Murphy’s comprehensive strategy to support New Jersey’s child care sector, which plays a vital role in our state’s long-term economic recovery.

Through Phase 1 of the Child Care Facilities Improvement Program, the NJEDA will provide nearly $15 million in grants between $50,000 – $200,000 to licensed child care centers in New Jersey to cover the costs of facility improvements that will contribute to high-quality early childhood learning environments. These interior and exterior improvements could include, but are not limited to, installing energy efficient windows, creating additional classroom space, purchasing new playground equipment, replacing flooring, remediating environmental hazards such as lead or mold, or putting in child-height sinks or toilets. A complete list of eligible uses can be found here.

During the sessions, attendees will receive a program overview, a walk-through of the application, and information on how to best prepare to apply.

The information sessions will take place at the following times:

• Sept. 15 – 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Registration link: http://tinyurl.com/njeda-childcarecenterimprove
• Sept. 19 – 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Registration link: http://tinyurl.com/NJEDA-ChildCareCenterInfo

Eligible applicants are child care center providers licensed by the Department of Children & Families as of June 4, 2021 that have enrolled in the last 12 months prior to the date of application at least one child receiving assistance through NJ Department of Human Services’ (NJDHS’s) Child Care Assistance Program. A complete list of eligibility requirements can be found at https://www.njeda.com/child-care-improvement-program/.

To help ensure that child care providers serving low-income children through the NJDHS’s Child Care Assistance Program receive the funding they need to survive and thrive, 40 percent of the Phase 1 funding will be set aside for child care providers in Opportunity Zone-eligible census tracts.

The application for the Child Care Facilities Improvement Program is expected to launch in October.

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