Wyoming DFS Child Care Stabilization Grant
The WY Child Care Stabilization Grant is a grant opportunity intended to steady Wyoming’s child care network. The grant gives financial support to eligible child care providers that have experienced increased costs, disruptions, and challenges since March 2020. Funds are made available to Wyoming through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) relief funding appropriated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), 2021.
There were two “waves” to the WY Child Care Stabilization Grant. The first wave was a formula grant based on set criteria, including but not limited to facility type, staffing needs and available services (e.g., infant care or care for children with special needs). The second wave (Wave 2) was specifically focused on service sustainability, access, and expansion within specific communities and statewide. Providers were required to establish the need for the funding and be thoughtful on how this funding will assist them in achieving long-term sustainability, innovative ideas, or increased access and expansion of care for their community beyond the length of these one-time funds. There were four priority areas under Wave 2 Access and Expansion Grants.
Wave 2 Access and Expansion Grant was focused on four priority areas:
1. Building and supporting depleted staffing levels through staff expansion and retention efforts, including hiring incentives, bonuses, training and professional development, or benefits packages to maximize the capacity of care in current facilities.
2. Supporting physical space expansion (not major renovations, appropriate to ARPA Stabilization funding requirements).
3. Expansion of care for children experiencing the most challenges in access to care (high needs, infants, etc.).
4. Exploring or establishing transportation options for providers or families of children in care.
The general application period is now closed.
Providers who received Wave 2 grant funds were required to participate in a 3-part business acumen training series provided by the Wyoming Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with WY DFS. Grant funding awards will be held, and not be released, until the training is completed.
Subgrantee Reporting
Wave 1 and Wave 2 subgrantees are required to submit information regarding their use of grant funds.
Wave 1 subgrantees
“Wave 1” subgrantees refers to any Wyoming child care provider who received WY Child Care Stabilization Grant funds January 2022 through May 2022 and had remaining funds as of July 31, 2022.
Wave 1 Subgrantee Quarterly Reporting Form
Complete and submit your report by December 23, 2022. This will give us time to review and verify information before submitting the state’s report to the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child Care (OCC).
Be sure to read each section of the form carefully. The report takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Wave 2 subgrantees
“Wave 2” subgrantees refers to any Wyoming child care provider who received WY Child Care Stabilization Grant funds September 2022 through December 2022.
Wave 2 Subgrantee Quarterly Reporting Form
Complete and submit your report by December 23, 2022. This will give us time to review and verify information before submitting the state’s report to the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child Care (OCC).
Be sure to read each section of the form carefully. The report takes about 10 minutes to complete
Subgrantee Reporting “How-to” Webinar
The November 30, 2022 Subgrantee Orientation will be posted here within the next few business days. The orientation provides information about grant award disbursement of funds, use of grant funds and reporting requirements.
Stay tuned for a Subgrantee Orientation Questions Answered document to be posted here later this month (December 2022).
For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, click here.
For assistance, providers can email dfsccta@wyo.gov or WY_ARPA_Grant@pubknow.com or call
307-314-3769. The phone line hours of operation are 8 am MST to 4 pm MST. If you call before or after hours, please be sure to leave your name, contact information and a brief message. Calls will be returned within one business day.
