HOUSTON – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is urging child care providers across the county to take advantage of millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds before time runs out.
According to Hidalgo, of the $1 billion sent to the 13-county Gulf Coast region, there is still $300 million of Child Care Relief Fund money from the American Rescue Plan unclaimed. The funds are distributed by the Texas Workforce Commission.
“That’s a billion dollars that child care providers and home care centers can apply for to cover payroll, to cover the mortgage, supplies, and a whole gamut of needs they might have to make sure they continue operating and they continue providing these vital services,” Hidalgo said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon at Community Preschool in Westchase.
To be eligible to apply for the CCRF, child care centers must meet the following criteria.
- Open to provide child care services at the time of application or be temporarily closed due to public health, financial hardship, or other COVID-19–related reasons at the time of application (with plans to reopen within 30 days)
- Actively licensed or registered in the State of Texas with Child Care Regulation by February 28, 2022
- In good standing with Child Care Regulation
- Committed to remaining open through at least May 2023.
The deadline is May 31, 2022.
“We have less than a month for childcare centers and at-home child care providers to claim these funds and make sure that we don’t end up having to send this money back to the state and back to the federal government,” Hidalgo said.
To learn more or apply, click here.