Child-care providers in Bay County are eligible for grants to increase capacity and improve quality

Child-care providers in Bay County are eligible for grants to increase capacity and improve quality.

The Bay Area Community Foundation partnered with Bay County to offer the financial support to Bay County child-care providers. 

Bay County is home to about 5,456 kids age 5 and under. Experts think families will need child-care for about 4,528 of those kids. But there are only 87 licensed providers with three star ratings or higher with room for 3,221 kids. That leaves a gap of 1,307 children without a high-quality, reliable child-care provider. Read more about the issue in this Jan. 12 Route Bay City article.

A total of $300,000 is available through the Bay County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Childcare Grant Program.

Both for-profit and nonprofit licensed childcare organizations are eligible to apply. Providers interested in applying are encouraged to attend a virtual information session that outlines program requirements and the application process. 

The virtual session is Tues., June 27 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. To register, visit www.bayfoundation.org/rsvp or reach out to the Bay Area Community Foundation at (989) 893-4438 or bacfnd@bayfoundation.org. 

Application and program guidelines can be found at www.bayfoundation.org. The application portal opens Tues., June 27 at 9 a.m. and closes Mon., July 31 at 5 p.m. 

For more information, contact the Bay Area Community Foundation at (989) 893-4438 or bacfnd@bayfoundation.org.