Alabama’s stretched-to-the-limit childcare workforce will soon be eligible for a little cash relief.
The Alabama Department of Human Resources announced Monday a new grant program that will pay childcare workers at licensed daycares up to $1,500 per quarter for the next two years. The Child Care Workforce Stabilization program is funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year.
“The pandemic has underscored the importance of accessible child care and the crucial role our providers serve for Alabama’s families, workforce and economy,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner. “This immediate investment in child care providers and their dedicated workers will generate long-term benefits for our entire state.”
Eligible childcare providers can begin qualifying for the payments — $1,500 for full-time employees and $750 for part-time — on Nov. 29. To qualify, the providers must have been licensed to operate on March 11, when the Rescue Plan Act was passed, and must continue operating for one year after receiving the grant.
Additional eligibility criteria, along with applications, grant schedules and other important information, are available at dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/.
