Skagit County American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
The Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC) is seeking child care business start-up and expansion projects.
The lack of a robust child care industry within a community impacts families and employers in a variety of ways such as missed work, lost wages and in some cases employees exiting the workforce altogether.
Quality child care is closely connected with skills children build, socially, emotionally, and cognitively.
Increasing the availability of high-quality child care cultivates economic opportunities for families and businesses today into the future.
The Center for Retention and Expansion of Child Care (C-RECC) a division of the Early Learning and Family Services (ELAFS) Department at the Opportunity Council has received funding to benefit future entrepreneurs in the child care industry.
For more information about Skagit County and the source of this funding please click here.
Skagit County Child Care Focus
- Grow overall child care capacity in Skagit County
- Increase high-quality child care accessibility to low-income, underserved/rural communities and Black Indigenous People Of Color (BIPOC) families
- Create entrepreneurship opportunities for women with an emphasis of BIPOC
- This is a competitive application process. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding assistance
Other Important Info/Criteria
- Child care business is home based (FCC), Center, or Outdoor Nature Based Child Care.
- Located in Skagit County
- Priority will be given to:
- Child care businesses in rural areas where community members travel far distances to find care for their children, and face distinctive barriers
- Facilities that offer non-traditional hours and/or overnight care
- Facilities that offer infant care
- Award amounts –
o Family Child Care start up or capacity expansion projects – up to $10,000
o Child Care / Preschool Center start up or capacity expansion projects – up to $75,000
o Outdoor Nature Based – up to $25,000
If you have any questions about the Skagit County ARPA funding please email childcarebiz@oppco.org
If you do not meet the criteria for this funding but are interested in entrepreneurship in the child care industry please reach out to us at childcarebiz@oppco.org and we will be happy to assist you.
If you are interested in a new start up child care business and meet the criteria listed above please click on the blue box below and complete the application.
FAQ
When does the application close?
The Skagit ARPA grant cycle runs through November 30, 2024 or when funding runs out.