The City of Decatur’s FY24 Childcare Grant aims to support licensed or license-exempt daycare centers and home daycare programs within city limits. A total of three grants, each worth $20,000, are available for projects addressing financial assistance for families, workforce retention, facility improvements, and outdoor playground spaces for infants and toddlers. The program prioritizes facilities caring for a significant proportion of children whose care is subsidized by the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), those serving infants and toddlers, and programs offering full-day, year-round services.

Applications must be submitted to the Neighborhood Revitalization Division no later than 3:00 p.m. on December 12, 2024. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation, including a project narrative, an expense report, a description of accounting practices, and evidence of their program’s current licensure status. Scoring criteria evaluate factors such as program capacity, financial accountability, project readiness, site condition, and alignment with city goals, with a maximum possible score of 100 points. Projects scoring below 25 points in initial criteria are deemed ineligible.

The grant supports a variety of eligible expenses, such as building and infrastructure improvements, playground equipment, and efforts to retain childcare staff. Recipients are required to utilize the funds within four months of award and submit completion documentation no later than April 30, 2025. Applicants must describe their project scope, location, and anticipated community impact in the application, which also requires a location map and budget summary detailing requested and other funding sources.

Selection involves a multi-step scoring process. Initial eligibility is determined by compliance with CCAP assistance thresholds and other program-specific requirements. Additional site evaluations consider factors such as cleanliness, compliance with city codes, and readiness for the proposed project. Applicants must demonstrate administrative and financial capacity, including submission of independent audits or tax returns. Projects are further assessed for their contributions to city goals, such as enhancing facilities, adding childcare slots, or creating jobs.

Notifications of funding recommendations will be made by December 17, 2024. For assistance, applicants can contact the Neighborhood Revitalization Division during regular office hours. Subrecipient agreements, outlining scope, funding, and compliance requirements, must be executed before funds are disbursed. Amendments to agreements may be considered if changes to scope, funding, or timelines are necessary.