Funding Opportunities

Child Care Business Incentive Grant

• Child Care Business Incentive Grant is targeted at helping employers offer or expand child care options as a benefit to their employees. Projects could include the creation and development of an on-site child care center or a partnership with an existing child care center to create new child care slots paid for by a local employer. Applications dues October 17, 2022. Webinar Q&A with details on how to apply.

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• Funding Opportunities main webpage.

Employer Innovation Grant

• The Future Ready Iowa Employer Innovation fund is a grant opportunity for our partners to carry out creative solutions that address local workforce issues. It encourages employers, community leaders, and others to lead efforts for developing regional workforce talent pools. Employers can promote credit and non-credit education and training opportunities in high-demand jobs. The fund can be used in innovative ways to help Iowans achieve their training and education goals. 

Iowa Family Support Network

• The Children at Home Program has funds that can help with additional adaptive child care expenses. Funds can be used to pay for additional costs of caregivers, caretaker education/training or equipment. Funds available through June 30, 2023.
• Application Link
• Program Flyer

Recruitment and Retention Bonus Program

• As part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, states were allocated federal funding for Child Care Stabilization Grants. These grants are intended to support qualified child care providers with operational costs, such as personnel, rent/mortgage, and equipment. Learn more on the HHS website here. If you have technical difficulties with the application you can send an email to IARetention@tetratech.com or call the helpline at 1-833-671-1377. The funding that was identified for this project has been exhausted and will end on September 30, 2023.
• Application Link
• Program Flyer
• Recruitment and Retention Bonus Frequently Asked Questions

Rural Child Care Market Study Grant Program

• Provides up to $100,000 to support the use of data and analysis by rural communities to determine the specific needs and solutions for their area. In partnership with First Children’s Finance, funding from the program will empower communities to assess their current child care market environment and develop strategies. Funding period of January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023. Learn more here.

Shared Services

• Early Childhood Iowa, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is beginning the initial work for a Shared Services project. This model allows child care providers access to a statewide, web-based partnership platform for support on various business operations. Learn more here. News release 12/16/21.

Stabilization Grants

• Iowa was allocated $200 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to provide stabilization subgrants to current licensed and registered child care providers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has contracted with a partner agency to help support a provider-friendly and efficient application process. This web-based application will be available in the upcoming weeks, and HHS will notify eligible parties when the application is available.
• Round 3 open June 1, 2022 - Licensed and registered programs eligible. Round 3 is for those not previously eligible in round 1 & 2, no need to show a loss and not required to take 25% CCA.
• Child Care Stabilization Grant Application
• Stabilization Grant Frequently Asked Questions
• Stabilization Grant Informational Webinar - January 5, 2022

WAGE$^® Iowa

• WAGE$^® Iowa offers salary supplements (also called stipends) to the early care and education workforce, based on the individual's level of formal education and commitment to their program. Thanks to funds from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Child Care WAGE$® IOWA will be available in all 99 Iowa counties effective July 1, 2021 and not guaranteed beyond June 30, 2024.

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