Austin Offers Grants To Childcare Providers Amid Coronavirus

AUSTIN, TX — The city has extended a grant program to help childcare providers who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Wednesday.

The City of Austin Economic Development Department initiative dubbed the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant is a $5 million fund that will provide grants up to $60,000 per site to cover eligible operating expenses for providers offering full-day childcare to ages five and under, officials explained in an advisory.

Eligible childcare providers must be able to demonstrate an economic loss associated with COVID-19, and must be located in a City of Austin council district, officials added.

En español: Austin Ofrece Asistencia Financiera A Centros De Cuidado Infantil

Both home-based and center-based childcare centers are invited to apply for grants, officials said. Providers that are Texas Rising Star certified or demonstrate appointments scheduled to complete the Texas Rising Star accreditation assessment or have National Accreditation are eligible to apply, according to the guidelines. Moreover, providers that serve families receiving a Childcare Subsidy (CCS) and providers located in historically underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply, officials said.

Those interested in applying are directed to visit www.ATXrecovers.com for additional eligibility requirements and required documentation.

“Ensuring childcare providers have the resources to remain open and serve local families is a critical part of our city’s ability to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Chief Economic Recovery Officer Veronica Briseño said in a prepared statement. “Eligible childcare providers, whether operating a center-based or home-based program, can request up to $60,000 per site to cover immediate needs. These grant dollars can be applied to payroll, rent relief, operational costs, and other eligible COVID-19 related expenses.”

Applications will be accepted from Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. to Jan. 15, 2021, at 5 p.m. at www.ATXrecovers.com.

The Austin City Council established the Save Austin’s Vital Economic Sectors (SAVES) Fund through an ordinance to support local businesses. Through the SAVES Fund, Austin City Council approved Resolution No. 20201015-73 to designate $5 million for the Austin Childcare Provider Relief Grant to help support local childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The grant is designed to give immediate and equitably-focused one-time financial assistance to eligible licensed childcare centers or home providers (licensed or registered). The community benefits achieved through this grant include job retention and maintaining high-quality, affordable, and accessible childcare for Austin's workforce, officials explained.

All applications received by the Jan. 15 deadline will be reviewed using a published grant estimator that includes criteria for need and equity. This grant is not determined on a first-come, first-serve basis. Austin childcare providers that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to prepare their answers and documentation in advance by reviewing the application, eligibility criteria, and required documentation at ATXrecovers.com prior to the application date. As part of a partnership with the City of Austin, United Way for Greater Austin will accept and review all submitted applications.

Additionally, consultation services and application assistance will be available to grant applicants. Informational Webinar on Tuesday (Dec. 15) from 11:00 a.m. to noon. To register for the webinar, click here.

For eligibility questions and application assistance, contact United Way for Greater Austin by email ChildcareReliefGrant@uwatx.org or by phone (512) 225-0390.