Funding Opportunities from DHS - March to June

March to June 2021 Funding Opportunities

February 1, 2021

Hello Child Care Providers and Happy New Year!

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a roller coaster of a ride and we have been grateful for those of you who have continued to serve your communities. As you are aware, we have been able to provide a number of funding opportunities to provide support to you, during this time.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is excited to report that we will be continuing to provide the following supports from March 2021 - June 2021. This information will also be updated on the Funding Opportunities page on our website.

• Unlimited Absence Day Billing for Child Care Assistance (CCA) Families
• Co-Pay Reimbursements: Please do not collect co-pays from your CCA families from February 8, 2021 - June 27, 2021. DHS will reimburse you directly.
• Monthly Stipends: DHS will continue to provide stipends, however, we are making this much easier for you!

Monthly Stipends

You must be actively serving children to be eligible for this stipend. If you are an active Child Development Home or Licensed Child Care Center, you will no longer be required to fill out a survey for a stipend. DHS will automatically provide financial support, directly to you, as indicated below:

• Licensed Child Care Centers
  • Total Capacity 0-100 Children = $3000
  • Total Capacity 101-200 Children = $5000
  • Total Capacity 201-300 Children = $7000
• Child Development Homes = $1500

Important items to note:

• If you are an active child care provider on the last day of the month, you will be automatically eligible for funding.
• Funding should be received no later than the last business day of the following month (ex. If you are an active child care provider on 3/31/2021, you should receive funding by 4/30/2021).
• If you do not receive funding by the assumed timeline, contact your local CCR&R consultant.
• If you have not been receiving funding, you likely need to complete a W-9 Form and submit it to wagestax9@dhs.state.ia.us or we will not be able to send payment. DHS will work to make contact with individuals we do not have records for.
• If you have already been receiving funding, we do NOT need a new W-9.

You must be actively serving children to receive funding. If you are not serving children, you must inform the Department or any funding received by the Department will need to be returned or subject to recoupment. This funding is to provide immediate support to your child care program. Examples of approved spending may include supporting staff wages, replenishing toys or products, paying rent or utilities or something similar.

Please be aware that by accepting stipend funding, you may be responsible for applicable taxes. If you do not wish to receive funding or have concerns accepting funding, please contact us at canwehelp@dhs.state.ia.us.

DHS, through the help of federal stimulus funding, has been able to provide financial support to programs and families since April 2020. Please be aware that this funding is short-term and will not be available on-going as Iowa and the nation get closer to a more stabilized environment. Please consider your own long-term sustainability planning and budgeting.

As always, we thank you for your dedication to the children and families of Iowa.

Julie Allison
Child Care Bureau Chief
Iowa Department of Human Services

Tags: dhs , funding opportunities , stipend

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