Childcare Workforce Investment Grants

The Childcare Workforce Investment Grants initiative is a local funding opportunity designed to bolster the early childhood education workforce within Chaffee County, Colorado. This grant program is part of a broader mission to increase the availability and quality of licensed childcare services by investing directly in the professional development and retention of early childcare staff. The program is structured to provide financial support to licensed childcare centers that serve Chaffee County residents, offering grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 per center within each rolling calendar year. The core objective of this initiative is to create sustainable pathways for staff to attain the credentials, training, and support needed to expand the number of licensed childcare spots in the county. By enhancing the qualifications and job satisfaction of childcare staff, the program seeks to stabilize and grow the sector’s capacity to meet local demand. Grants may be used for various eligible costs, including but not limited to staff stipends for training, salaries for time spent in professional development, costs associated with substitutes, and performance-based incentives or bonuses for completing training programs. Eligibility is clearly defined, limiting applicants to licensed early childcare centers that serve residents of Chaffee County. Individual educators are not eligible to apply. The application must include a budget and narrative describing how the proposed use of funds will improve staff development and retention, with an emphasis on how this contributes to increasing or sustaining licensed childcare capacity. Centers may tailor their proposals to meet the specific developmental needs of multiple staff members, and multi-year professional development projects are also allowed. However, applicants cannot reapply until the previously funded project is complete. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, offering flexibility for applicants. Once submitted, applications are reviewed by staff from the Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) and Chaffee County Early Childhood Council (CCECC) to determine basic eligibility. Successful applicants are notified of funding decisions within six weeks and, upon completion of a restricted grant agreement and required documentation, receive funds within two weeks. Recipients are required to submit a final report twelve months after the award is disbursed, ensuring accountability and evaluation of program impact. Although no match funding is required, preference is given to projects that explicitly demonstrate a direct connection between professional development and the expansion of licensed childcare slots. The total pool of funding for this initiative is up to $75,000, available over the performance period from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. While the grant operates on a rolling basis and is not technically recurring, additional funding is contingent on fund availability and successful completion of the previously funded project. No specific contacts or application portal URLs were provided in the source material, and there were no attached documents such as a downloadable RFP or application form. Centers interested in applying should work closely with CCCF or CCECC to begin the process and ensure compliance with all program expectations and reporting requirements.

Projects that can show a direct connection between staff development and expansion of childcare slots are prioritized.