Matzie: Area child care providers receiving nearly $2.9 million to stabilize operations
Rep. Robert Matzie April 7, 2022 | 2:51 PM
AMBRIDGE, April 7 – Nearly $2.9 million in federal funding will help 33 child care providers in the 16th Legislative District rebuild from the damaging effects of the pandemic, state Rep. Rob Matzie announced today.
Matzie said the American Rescue Plan Act funding includes grants ranging from approximately $10,000 to $287,000 to help businesses with key expenses.
“Extended closures, dwindling enrollment and other pandemic-related problems hit child care providers hard, and many are still struggling to come back,” Matzie said. “This funding, which can be used for operations and personnel costs, supplies and equipment, and a range of other expenses, is going to help them rebound. More centers reopening their doors means more working parents returning to the workplace.”
According to the state Department of Human Services, which administers the funding, providers will receive the funding in six monthly installments and must use it within nine months after their applications were approved. Centers also must report to DHS on how the funding is spent.
A list of providers receiving the funding is available here: https://www.pahouse.com/files/Documents/2022-04-07_010731__BEAVERCC.pdf.
The American Rescue Plan Act provided $24 billion to states nationwide to stabilize the child care sector. The grants to centers in the 16th Legislative District are part of a package of $628.5 million in approved ARPA funding to child care providers statewide.
In the fall, DHS announced its plan to distribute the ARPA funding to help stabilize the child care industry.