Missouri Governor Touts Grant Availability For Child Care Enhancement Projects

Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced that new grant funding is available through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Childhood for eligible child care providers and businesses and/or community partners who want to work together to expand child care in their local community. The Innovation Start-up Grant application is now open on the Child Care Relief Funds website and must be submitted by May 31st of this year.

The amount of funding available is dependent upon the facility capacity, the hours of operation, and a commitment in matching funds or in-kind contributions from businesses and/or community partners supporting the new child care program. If awarded, the provider must become a licensed child care program with children enrolled and attending by March 31st of 2024.

The grant funding could be used as an expansion grant for current programs working with a business or community partner to support increased access to child care in their community or a workforce grant for current programs working with a business or community partner to help restore full capacity by providing funding for teachers in child care programs.

These grants were part of the state’s budget for federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Discretionary funds.