The New Orleans Early Childhood Education Facilities Fund Grant Program is currently accepting applications. This program is a collaborative effort between the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and Agenda for Children, established following the approval of a new property tax millage by New Orleans voters in 2022. The initiative aims to leverage state matching funds to enhance child and family support services, provide coaching and professional development for educators, and increase the availability of quality early learning center seats. The program specifically targets the expansion and repair of existing facilities and the development of new ones to accommodate children from low to moderate-income households.

The primary goals of the Early Childhood Education Facilities Fund Grant Program are threefold. First, it seeks to increase the overall capacity of early childhood education facilities and the availability of subsidized seats through the construction of new Type III Early Learning Centers in Orleans Parish. Second, it aims to expand or preserve the capacity of existing facilities by renovating current Type III Early Learning Centers. Lastly, the program focuses on enhancing the quality of early childhood education by establishing and improving Family Child Care provider sites within the parish.

Grants awarded through this program will range from $5,000 to $250,000, categorized into three tiers: Seed grants of up to $50,000, Support grants ranging from $50,001 to $100,000, and Grow grants from $100,001 to $250,000. Eligible activities for funding include design and architectural assistance, business development support, minor renovations, and major renovations or new construction.

Eligible applicants for this grant include current Type III Early Learning Centers licensed by the Louisiana Department of Education operating in Orleans Parish, as well as those intending to apply for such a license. Current Family Child Care providers with academic approval in Orleans Parish may also apply. Additionally, developers or property owners with existing or planned Type III Early Learning Centers can apply if they partner with an eligible co-applicant who is a current or new Type III Early Learning provider.

To qualify, applicants must serve children from six weeks to age three and apply for subsidized seats through Agenda for Children or other authorized agencies. They must be in good standing with the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans, free from any pending investigations or legal actions by the Louisiana Department of Education. Furthermore, if currently licensed, applicants must resolve any outstanding violations before the grant agreement is executed.

Project sites must be located within Orleans Parish and appropriately zoned for the type of center operated or proposed. If the site is leased, the lease must be recorded and have a term that matches or exceeds the grant monitoring period, which is a minimum of two years. Family Child Care providers must also own, occupy, and operate their sites.

The application deadline for this grant program is October 4, 2024. Interested parties can find more information and access the application process through the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority's website. For any inquiries, Whitney Williams can be contacted via email at whitney.williams@nola.gov.