THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law in March 2021, providing Oklahoma with additional funds designed to help stabilize the childcare industry as the state continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. These federal funds have specific rules and requirements that must be followed.

 

Childcare program types eligible for funds include:

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• Licensed family childcare homes

• Licensed childcare centers

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In addition, the above eligible programs must be licensed and in good standing throughout the grant period with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

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This means the program must not have been:

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• The subject of a current or past finding of fraud

• Prohibited from receiving public funds under Oklahoma Statutes

• Under revocation or under temporary immediate suspension

 

To receive these funds, an eligible program, as described above, must have been licensed by March 11, 2021, and must currently be operating and serving children at the time of grant application submission.

 

Eligible providers who were operating and serving children at the time of grant application submission will remain open and operating during the grant periods, and remain in good standing with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will be eligible to apply.

 

The website for the application is http://okdhs.org/childcaregrants.

 

A listserv with application information and a link to the application website was sent to all providers on July 9, 2021. The application period for the first round of grants will remain open until July 30, 2021.

 

Please contact Rainbow Fleet Child Care Resource and Referral for any questions or help you might need. We would be happy to help! (405) 525-3111.