Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering another round of Work Force Support Grants to Department of Human Services’ (DHS) certified child care providers through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC). This opportunity will utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) funds to support the work force of DHS certified child care providers.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering Work Force Support Grants to Department of Human Services’ (DHS) certified child care providers through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC). This opportunity will utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) funds to support the work force of DHS certified child care providers.
OCDEL continues to recognize the work force crisis faced by many DHS certified child care providers throughout the commonwealth. As the need for child care remains high, providers simply do not have the necessary staff to meet the demand. Many providers operate at reduced operational capacity as more staff leave the industry for higher paying jobs and better benefits. The result of these staff shortages is a disruption to the availability of child care for families.
DHS certified child care providers who are identified as ARPA eligible will be funded through $27.9 million of uncommitted ARPA Stabilization Grant funds and $70 million of ARPA Stabilization administrative set-aside funds. DHS certified care providers who are identified as not ARPA eligible will be funded through CRRSA funds.
To assist DHS certified child care providers in addressing this ongoing work force crisis, the Work Force Support Grants focuses on supporting child care staff that have continued to provide services to children throughout the pandemic but also supports providers with expenses related to staff recruitment and retention costs.
All criteria outlined below must be met at the time the application is submitted for a DHS certified child care provider to be eligible:
Additional eligibility criteria for staff are included in the Instructions document below. These should be reviewed before an application is submitted to ensure all requirements are met and any necessary documentation is included with the application.
If any of these criteria change after the application is submitted by the provider, the provider must reach out to discuss how unused funds will be returned to the ELRC.
May 16 – June 17, 2022:
Work Force Support Grant application submission period. It is preferred that applications are submitted by email, when possible.
June 17, 2022:
The last day to submit completed applications for consideration is Jun. 17, 2022 by 11:59 PM. If mailing in application, any application postmarked after this date will not be eligible for grant funds. Access directions on how to submit your application.
July 1 – September 16, 2022:
ELRC will release payments to eligible providers.
July 1, 2022 – January 31, 2023:
Timeframe for providers to use grant funds. (NOTE: For Staff Retention grant funds, providers must pay staff within 30 calendar days of receiving grant funds from the ELRC.)
July 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023:
Timeframe for providers to submit the Work Force Support Grant Reporting Form to the ELRC.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering Work Force Support Grants to Department of Human Services’ (DHS) certified child care providers through the Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC). This opportunity will utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) funds to support the work force of DHS certified child care providers.
OCDEL continues to recognize the work force crisis faced by many DHS certified child care providers throughout the commonwealth. As the need for child care remains high, providers simply do not have the necessary staff to meet the demand. Many providers operate at reduced operational capacity as more staff leave the industry for higher paying jobs and better benefits. The result of these staff shortages is a disruption to the availability of child care for families.
DHS certified child care providers who are identified as ARPA eligible will be funded through $27.9 million of uncommitted ARPA Stabilization Grant funds and $70 million of ARPA Stabilization administrative set-aside funds. DHS certified care providers who are identified as not ARPA eligible will be funded through CRRSA funds.
To assist DHS certified child care providers in addressing this ongoing work force crisis, the Work Force Support Grants focuses on supporting child care staff that have continued to provide services to children throughout the pandemic but also supports providers with expenses related to staff recruitment and retention costs.
All criteria outlined below must be met at the time the application is submitted for a DHS certified child care provider to be eligible:
Additional eligibility criteria for staff are included in the Instructions document below. These should be reviewed before an application is submitted to ensure all requirements are met and any necessary documentation is included with the application.
If any of these criteria change after the application is submitted by the provider, the provider must reach out to discuss how unused funds will be returned to the ELRC.