A new grant program – Child Care Operations Grants – is now available for Utah child care providers whose operations have been affected by decreased enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Child care programs with (a) a license in good standing from Utah Child Care Licensing and (b) are open and (c) providing child care services may be eligible for a Child Care Operations Grant.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, 38% of Utah’s licensed child care centers and 18% of its licensed family child care programs have closed due to low enrollment. Families who continue to need child care now have limited options available through the existing system.
“Like many small businesses in Utah, child care providers are grappling with the impacts of COVID-19 on their business, employees and services,” said Tracy Gruber, Office of Child Care director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services and liaison to the Governor’s task force. “These grants will provide child care business owners with the means to remain open — despite low enrollment — and continue supporting Utah’s workforce who are in need of child care at this critical time.”
Child care business owners can go to jobs.utah.gov/covid19 for more information and to download the Child Care Operations Grant agreement form.