Oklahoma Daycare and Child Care Grants
Thousands of Americans have set up their own day care or child care centers out of sheer love for children. There are just nurturing individuals who thrive in this kind of environment. Unfortunately, it is not all the time that businesses like these earn well. Oftentimes, the proprietor finds his or herself lacking funds to keep the day care center running. The costs of rent or utilities or food and other supplies just seem to high, and more often than not, the parents of these kids themselves don’t know where to get the money to pay for day care center fees or child care providers.
What they did not know is that there is funding available for day care and child care needs. For years now, the government has set aside a portion of its budget to help the expansion or improvement of both existing day care centers and newly set up ones. There are day care grants available for parents too, especially those who want to go back to school and finish their degrees. All you really have to do is ask your local representatives about the kinds of grants that are available in your community.
Grants are a much better alternative than bank loans simply because you don’t have to worry about paying the money back. There is absolutely no interest too. So consider it as one of the perks you get for being a loyal taxpayer to uncle Sam.
Of course, a single grant will not be enough to sustain the business operation of your child care center but it is possible to get more than one grant to cover all the expenses. The best place to look for grants would be the local Child and Family Service Office in your area. They help child care centers gain access to a lot of grant programs to help them. Child care operators such as yourself can also tap into local businesses to get funds to establish and maintain their child care center.
Looking and applying for a grant may be daunting but is really not as difficult as it may seem. Most of these organizations that give away grants provide ready-made application forms that are more than self-explanatory to use. Some of the grants provided are for child care centers that deal with specific groups of children but are generally not a requirement in getting grants. The basic prerequisites for getting a grant are business licenses to operate and federal tax identification numbers.
Typically, grant applications need a grant proposal which is a request for a grants that also outlines the reasons why your child care center should be given one. This proposal aims to “sell” your business to the board that approves the grant and you can do this by simply enumerating the purpose of your child care center and the target population that it will cater to. Your proposal must clearly explain how your child care center can become a positive aspect in the community that it plans to serve. The proposal must also explain how the grant money will be used in detail.
Different Sources of Grants
-
Federal
Federal grants are funded by the different agencies of the federal government. Typically, grants from a federal agency are funneled down to the communities through state agencies.
U.S. Department of Agriculture – It has two agencies with start-up/expansion funding programs:
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) has facility funding available for non-profits or local governments that support child care facilities. (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/index.html)
The Rural Business Cooperative Service has guaranteed loan programs for small business development available for profit child care programs. For eligibility or to apply for any of their programs, contact the state or local Rural Development Office, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd.map.html
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) – The agency has funding programs that support child care services. The Child Care Bureau has several funding programs for child care facilities. http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – It supports child care facilities near or within public housing, EZ/EC’s, or low-income areas through facility construction using block grants, programs, and networks. To determine eligibility or to apply for any of their programs, contact the state HUD office at http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/states
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – It provides small businesses financing options, technical assistance, and child care resource information. Check with your local SBA offices at http://www.sba.gov/localresources/index.html
U.S. General Services Administration – It has programs that allow the donation of surplus federal personal property to state and local public agencies and qualifying nonprofits, which include child care centers. Please contact http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?contentType=GSA_OVERVIEW&contentId=10092&noc=T
There are other federal programs that support child care such as:
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) provides child care vouchers to subsidize the cost of care for low-income families as well as funds for state child care quality improvement initiatives. Nearly half of all children receiving CCDF subsidies are between the ages of five and 12. States are required to utilize at least 4 percent of their CCDF funds on quality activities and may also use discretionary funds earmarked by Congress for school-age care quality improvements and/or resource and referral activities. States may choose to use these funds to support initiatives to improve the quality and availability of school-age care, such as training programs or capacity-building grants for afterschool providers.
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) funds, which provide financial support for low-income families, may also be used to support afterschool programs in ways consistent with one or more of the four purposes of the TANF program. States may either directly spend TANF funds on afterschool programs and initiatives, or states can transfer up to 30 percent of their federal TANF allocation to the CCDF. TANF funds transferred to CCDF are subject to all of the CCDF rules and requirements, and can be used to expand out-of-school time capacity-building and quality-enhancement efforts. Direct TANF spending can provide states with additional flexibility when it comes to afterschool care. For example, funds can support services for older youth and can support programs as well as individual subsidies for children.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21CCLC) is the only federal funding source that exclusively supports afterschool programs. The purpose of 21CCLC is to support community learning centers that provide students with a broad array of academic enrichment services, including tutoring, homework help, and community service, as well as music, arts, sports, and cultural activities. When the program first began in 1998, the U.S. Department of Education made competitive awards directly to school districts. However, following the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, 21CCLC was converted into a state formula grant program. As a result, the Department of Education awards grants to State Education Agencies (SEAs), which then manage statewide competitions to grant funds to eligible organizations.
Federal Food and Nutrition Programs may support snacks or meals for afterschool program participants. After school programs may be able to receive reimbursements from one of four different food and nutrition programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: the National School Lunch Program: Afternoon Snacks, the Child and Adults Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program and the School Breakfast Program. Reimbursement from these programs can be used to free up funds already spent on meals and snacks to support other program components.
-
State
There are several state agencies in Oklahoma that fund child care assistance programs. Many grants can be obtained through the Family Child Care and Development Grants. Applications can be made through http://www.governmentgrants.us.
In addition, funding sources can be accessed through the following programs of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services:
Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth
The mission of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth is to improve services to children by: facilitating joint planning and coordination among public and private agencies; independent monitoring of the children and youth service system for compliance with established responsibilities; and entering into agreements to test models and demonstration programs for effective services.Contact Information:
1111 N. Lee Ave, Suite. 500
Oklahoma City, OK 73103(405) 606-4900
Toll Free 1-866-335-9288
Fax (405) 524-0417
OCCY Accessibility and Compliance Representative is
Michael Walsh: E-mail: mwalsh@okkids.org
Phone: (405) 606-4900Child Care
The Child Care program helps ensure trained supervision, nutrition and education for children while their parents or caregivers are at work, in training or receiving an education. In addition, the Child Care program covers children who are in danger of being abused, neglected or exploited.
Child care licensing specialists provide on-site inspection, technical assistance and consultation to child care facilities, ensuring quality of care and the enforcement of minimum requirements.
Services to enhance quality of child care and assist parents are provided through partnerships with other organizations.
Contact Information:
daycare@okdhs.org
Phone: (405) 521-3931
1-866-411-1877Oklahoma Child Support Services
Services designed to help children get the support they need, including locating the non-custodial parents’ addresses and employers, establishing legal paternity, establishing child and medical support orders, enforcing support for married, separated or divorced parents and modifying support orders.Oklahoma Child Support Services (OCSS) acts as an economic advocate for the children of Oklahoma, ensuring that parents financially support their children. OCSS helps families become self-sufficient, and for those who are not receiving public assistance to remain self-sufficient.
Contact Information:
Phone:
OKC Area (405) 522-2273
Tulsa Area (918) 295-3500
1-800-522-2922
TTY 1-866-264-47672409 N. Kelley Ave.
Annex Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73111Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 53552
Oklahoma City, OK 73152OCSS.CustomerOutreach@OKDHS.org
Developmental Disabilities Services: SoonerStart
The mission of the SoonerStart Early Intervention Program is to use an inidividualized, comprehensive, coordinated system of services and supports to enhance the abilities of Oklahoma infants and toddlers with disabilities and developmental delays and strengthen the capacity of their families to support their development.The Oklahoma State Department of Education is the lead agency.
Phone: (405) 522-5167
Fax: (405) 522-3037
Terry.Johnsen@OKDHS.orgFood and Nutrition
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) serves as the first line of defense against hunger. It enables low-income families to buy nutritious food with Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards. SNAP recipients spend their benefits to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Nutrition Education (SNAP Ed) is a partnership between Oklahoma State University- Cooperative Extension Service, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, and the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. The SNAP Ed provides nutrition education to food stamp recipients and other eligible low-income individuals and families.
Phone: (405) 521-3444
1-866-411-1877
Fax: (405) 521-4158Mailing Address
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352
snap@okdhs.orgTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally-funded program for children deprived of support because of a parent’s death, incapacity, absence or unemployment. Cash assistance is available to the family on a time-limited basis through TANF. The purpose of this federal program is to provide temporary support in meeting basic needs, training leading to employment, employment services and childcare assistance for qualified families with children.
Phone: (405) 521-4391
1-866-411-1877
Fax: (405) 521-4158
tanf@okdhs.orgSequoyah Memorial Office Building
2400 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105Mailing Address
P.O. Box 25352
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0352 -
Private
Private foundations that are based or operating in the State of Oklahoma, as well as those operating nationwide, can also be tapped as source of funding for the establishment and operation of child care business, support for parents and families to avail of child care services, and the training of professionals in the field of child care. Some of these foundations are the following:
Bank of the West
The mission of the Bank’s Charitable Contributions Program is to help meet the needs of the communities we serve by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving quality of life, particularly for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. The Bank will consider requests for contributions from nonprofit organizations that qualify under the following charitable giving categories: Community and Economic Development, Education and Job Training, Health and Human Care, Civic and Cultural. The Bank actively grants charitable contributions in the communities we serve, which includes several counties in the following 19 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.Contact Information:
https://www.bankofthewest.com/about-us/community-support/charitable-investments.html
1-800-488-BANK (2265)Bartlesville Community Foundation
Bartlesville Community Foundation is a charitable organization helping individuals, families, businesses and other organizations make an enduring contributions to the betterment of the Bartlesville area.Contact Information:
http://www.bartlesvillefoundation.com/http://www.bartlesvillefoundation.com/contact2.php
Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
The Foundation is dedicated to helping the Jewish people flourish by supporting programs throughout the world that spread the joy of Jewish living, giving and learning. In our hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, we are proud to support a wide array of programs for a small but vibrant Jewish community that has long been recognized for the quality of its leadership and the generosity of its members.We are also pleased to be able to provide funding to many local, non-sectarian organizations focused on education and community services, especially those seeking to assist children, young adults and disadvantaged families.
Contact Information:
http://www.schusterman.org/web/guest/home
Tulsa, OK Headquarters
Two West Second Street
Tulsa, OK 74103
P: 918.591.1090
F: 918.591.1758Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF)
RBF is dedicated to promoting the well-being of all people in the transition to global interdependence. One of the goals of the fund’s Education Program is to promote universal, quality education and care for pre-K children by using a comprehensive approach to their development, including concerns for health, safety, and readiness to learn. Strategies include supporting development of public policies that promote universal access to early childhood programs, and advancing the professional development of early educators.Contact Information:
http://www.rbf.orgGeorge Kaiser Family Foundation
The George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) is a charitable organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services and civic enhancement. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, GKFF works primarily on initiatives developed in collaboration with Tulsa-based direct service organizations.Contact Information:
http://www.gkff.org/
7030 S. Yale, Suite 600
Tulsa, OK 74136
918-392-1612
inquiries@gkff.orgHille Family Charitable Foundation
The Hille Foundation is a private, family foundation, founded in 1997 by Jo Bob and Mary Ann Hille, operating for the purpose of supporting worthwhile non-profit organizations. We are based in Tulsa, Oklahoma and direct the majority of our funds to organizations and programs that operate in the Tulsa geographic area. Areas of funding interest include Arts, Children, Education, Environment, Medical Research/Services, Social Services.Contact Information:
http://www.hillefoundation.org/
Hille Foundation
624 S. Boston, Suite 710Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 592-0079
Fax: (918) 592-4185
Email: mahille@hillefoundation.org
Mary Ann Hille, PresidentThe Kerr Foundation supports 501(c)3 organizations, programs and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunity to those within the granting areas, particularly the young. We believe that this is best accomplished in the areas of education, health, cultural development and community service.
While preference is given to Oklahoma organizations and institutions, we recognize that such located outside the state and region can also have a beneficial impact on the economic, social and cultural growth and development of Oklahoma.
Therefore, the Kerr foundation only entertains grant requests ONLY from: Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas.
Contact Information:
http://www.thekerrfoundation.org/
Mrs. Robert S. Kerr, Jr., President and Chairman of the Board
The Kerr Foundation. Inc.12501 North May Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Tel (405) 749.7991
Fax (405) 749.2877Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation – Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Maxine and Jack Zarrow Family Foundation funding is limited primarily to Tulsa area charities. The Foundation funds children’s issues, the arts and culture, advocacy and support for the mentally ill, Jewish concerns, learning differences among children and adults and higher education.Contact Information:
401 S. Boston Ave., Suite 900
Tulsa, OK 74103-4012Contact: Nancy Langley
Phone: (918) 295-8008
Fax: (918) 295-8049Potts Family Foundation
In addition to support of nonprofit management and governance help, the foundation areas of funding interest are: Arts and public education, Early childhood care and development (0 – 3 years) and Collaboration with other funders. Geographical funding focus – Oklahoma.
Contact Information:
http://pottsfamilyfoundation.org/
3501 N.W. 63rd Street
Suite 610
Oklahoma City, OK 73116
Office Phone 405.286.6441
Fax 405.286.6447The Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation
The Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation was created in 1968 to provide grants in support of religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children.By policy, the Foundation limits its grants to non-profit organizations in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma, the home of Grace and Franklin Bernsen for more than six decades.
Contact Information:
The Grace and Franklin Bernsen Foundation
15 West 6th Street, Suite 1308
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-5407
(918)584-4711
(918)584-4713 Fax
info@bernsen.orgZarrow Families Foundation – Tulsa, Oklahoma
The Zarrow families are committed to providing support for the disadvantaged (including mentally ill and mentally and physically challenged children, youth and adults and the homeless). They do this through providing educational opportunities, social services, health and mental health programs, medical research and housing.
Their geographical preference is the Tulsa area, however, they give to Jewish causes all over the world.
Contact Information:
Nancy Langley
Zarrow Family Office,LLC401 S. Boston, Suite 900
Tulsa, OK 74103-4012
Phone: (918) 295-8008
Fax: (918) 295-8049
