Council Approves $10M In Funding For Child Care Centers

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County is throwing a financial lifeline to one of the hardest-hit sectors by the pandemic: child care.

On Tuesday, the county council approved $10 million in funding for facilities to offset reopening costs and revenue losses related to the public health crisis.

"The council knows that childcare is an essential service to support families as they return to work and is critical to the county's economic recovery," lawmakers said in a statement. "Without public investment and support, licensed, quality childcare in Montgomery County is not sustainable under the current recovery requirements."

Of the $10 million, $6.5 million will go to licensed child care centers and letter of compliance programs. The remaining $3.5 million will support registered family child care homes.

The maximum grant amounts are $75,000 for a single child care site, $150,000 for two sites, $200,000 for three sites, and $250,000 for four or more sites.

Priority will be given to programs serving families with low-incomes and children with special needs. Sites in targeted zip codes — including 20877, 20886, 20902, 20866, and 20906 — and programs that participate in Maryland EXCELS will also be prioritized.

To be eligible for funding, applicants must:

• Provide child care to kids from ages 0-5
• Be in good standing with the state of Maryland
• Must be able to reopen by Aug. 31

Click here to learn more about the $10 million fund.

For more information, contact earlychildhoodservices@montgomerycountymd.gov.