Children & Families First, in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Education, is pleased to provide quality improvement grant resources and related technical assistance strategies through the Capacity Grant.  These grants are awarded to qualifying licensed child care programs in order to enhance the quality of child care and increase the supply of care in areas where it is limited.

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THE TARGETED FUNDING CATEGORIES

The Capacity Grant awards are intended to provide resources that will enhance the quality of care in programs, and build the supply of child care slots that are in limited supply in one or all of the following areas:  

•  Children who need care during non-traditional hours (defined as care needed a minimum of one hour prior to 7:00 a.m., until a minimum of one hour after 6:00 p.m., and/or care needed on weekends)

• Children who are English language learners;

• Children with special needs (defined as children with an IFSP, IEP, 504 and/or a behavioral or mental health plan as compiled by a specialist);

• Infants and toddlers (defined as birth up to 36 months).

 

EMPHASIS ON HIGH NEEDS AREAS AND POC ENROLLMENT:
The project will seek to expand or enhance care that is safe, healthy, and appropriate, with an emphasis on serving low-income children in high needs areas.  Please see our Capacity Grant Guidelines document for details about high needs areas and POC enrollment as a percentage of overall program enrollment totals.

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CAPACITY GRANT

Important Dates | Application Deadline:

• The Capacity Grant Application will be announced soon.  Keep checking this page for updates!
   

Eligibility Requirements | Who Can Apply?

• Qualifying licensed child care programs in all three counties in the state of Delaware.   

• The child care program must be actively participating in Delaware Stars or Bridge to Stars. 

• The child care program must meet additional specific eligibility requirements as outlined in our Capacity Grant Guidelines document.

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Required Documents | What To Submit?

• Applications must provide a detailed plan indicating the need for funding that includes specifics on how the funding will be used, and how the improvements or enhancements will create slots or enhance ability to provide care in the Targeted Funding Categories identified at the top of the page. 

• Applications ARE REQUIRED to include a Completed Grant Application AND Application Supplement.

• Applications are reviewed by the Capacity Grant Advisory Committee and are not guaranteed to be approved. ​​