February 12th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
Gov. Larry Hogan on Friday announced that licensed child care centers and registered family child care providers will be able to apply for relief fund grants to defray increased operations costs during the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the most recent federal aid package, the Maryland State Department of Education is establishing a $60 million grant program to help providers pay operating costs and recoup lost revenue.
“Maryland’s child care providers have made it possible for front line workers to continue their critical work throughout this public health emergency,” Hogan said in a statement. “As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are grateful to child care providers who have reopened and provided continued support to our children and families."
The grants follow other efforts to support providers, including grants to support reopening efforts, sanitization and personal protective equipment.
"In the face of the pandemic, Maryland's family and center-based child care providers have remained vital partners in our early education efforts and have been essential to the State's overall recovery efforts," said state schools Superintendent Karen B. Salmon. "These additional grant funds will help support child care providers manage increased costs, so they can continue to deliver safe, reliable and effective care to our children."
Grant applications open Feb. 16. Child care programs must complete an online application by March 3. More information about the grants is available online.
