Check here for information on current grant opportunities available for
Kansas child care providers!

We’re here to help!

We understand the challenges of navigating multiple grant opportunities. Grant navigators are available to assist child care providers with grant applications and other resources. You may request assistance from a member of our grants team by filling out the inquiry form below:  

To contact a member of our grants team, please email grants@ks.childcareaware.org.

Child Care Workforce Appreciation Bonus – Closed
DCF Logo
Child Care Aware of Kansas Logo

This grant application period is now closed.

Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with the Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), would like to take this opportunity to recognize you and celebrate your commitment as a professional in the field of early childhood care and education! Thank you for everything you do each day for Kansas children and families! The contributions you make are highly valued, and the impact you have on your community and the state’s economy is immeasurable.

The Child Care Workforce Appreciation Bonus Program is made possible with funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021. This law provides supplemental funds to help State, Territory, and Tribal Lead Agencies address the impacts of COVID-19. The funds were awarded to (DCF) and funds will be administered by KDHE.

Application Period Schedule

Eligible individuals must apply for the payment and verify information as part of the process. Due to the very high volume of applications anticipated, applications will be requested in phases by licensed program type. Refer to the schedule below to determine when you should apply. Individuals working in Child Care Centers and Head Start programs can submit applications beginning July 18, followed by individuals working in Preschools on August 15, School Age and Drop-In Programs on September 11, Licensed and Group Day Care Homes on October 9, and DCF Relative Providers on November 5.


Stop Sign Graphic

This grant application period is now closed.

Este período de solicitud de subvención ya está cerrado.

The W-9 requires a handwritten signature, digital signatures will not be accepted.

Who is Eligible

How to Apply

How to Submit an Online Application for the Child Care Workforce Appreciation Bonus.
Cómo solicitar el Bono de Apreciación de la Fuerza Laboral de Cuidado Infantil

Attention!  This grant application period is now closed.

As of 8/1/22, direct deposit is no longer an option as a method of payment. All payments will be issued as a paper check sent by mail.

The IRS Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (Form W-9) must be completed by the individual applying to receive the Child Care Workforce Appreciation Bonus, NOT the child care facility. 

The information provided on the forms is the applicant’s information and NOT the child care facility information.

The payment is taxable income so please make sure the information entered on the W-9 matches the 2021 Federal Tax Return of the applicant, NOT the child care facility.

The payment will go directly to the applicant so please make sure the payment information is for the applicant, NOT the child care facility.

Note:  All documents must be submitted together and in a single format, either ALL online or ALL other method (fax or mail).

Documents

Application Submission This grant application period is now closed.

Applications and required attachments/documents should be submitted online for expedited processing.

Este período de solicitud de subvención ya está cerrado.

Bono de agradecimiento a la fuerza laboral de cuidado infantil de Kansas – Empleado de la instalación

Failure to complete any part of the application or provide required attachments (e.g., W-9, proof of employment/pay stub, will result in delays with processing the application and issuing payment.

NOTE: You will not be able to save the online application and return to it. Please complete and submit all required information and documentation in one sitting. Prepare the W-9, pay stub, prior to starting the online application.  Do not submit your application by email since it contains confidential information. Note:  All documents must be submitted together and in a single format, either ALL online or ALL other method (fax or mail).



DCF Relative Care Providers

This grant application period is now closed.

The applications below (blue buttons) are for DCF Relative Care Providers only. If you are an owner/operator of a licensed facility, employee of a licensed facility, or a licensed exempt Headstart, please apply above (orange buttons).


Please mail or fax completed application and all supporting documents to:

Attn: CCL Bonus

KDHE Bureau of Family Health

1000 SW Jackson Street, Ste. 200

Topeka, KS 66612

Fax to: 785-559-4244

This grant application period is now closed.

For questions or assistance with this process, please contact Child Care Aware of Kansas by:

Child Care Sustainability Grants Round 3 – Closed

This grant application period is now closed.

Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with Kansas Department for Children and Families, is awarding Sustainability Grants – Round 3! These grants aid in continuing operations of child care programs through the COVID-19 pandemic. All Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) licensed child care facilities that demonstrate substantial compliance with KDHE child care licensing are eligible to apply. 

To be considered “eligible”, child care facilities must maintain an active permanent KDHE license, whether remaining open or temporarily closed.

  • Drop-in Care programs are eligible if they were licensed in Kansas on or before March 11, 2021 and continue to be licensed. Drop-in Care programs that received a license after March 11, 2021 are not eligible.
  • Programs with a temporary license are eligible if they were issued a temporary license in Kansas on or before March 11, 2021 and continue to maintain a temporary or permanent license. Programs with a temporary license that received the temporary license after March 11, 2021 are not eligible until they have received a permanent license.
  • Programs must be in compliance with previous grants offered by Child Care Aware of Kansas to be eligible.
  • If programs are ineligible the first time they apply, they may reapply once they reach compliance.

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis from March 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022.

How to Receive Payments for January – May 2023

Please review the instructions listed below and visit our website for updated information.

You must elect to receive payments for the months of January-May 2023 by December 31st, 2022 in your WLS profile.

  • If you believe that you would like to receive any funding during the months of January through May 2023 you will need to mark “yes” and agree to the Grant requirements by the listed deadline. Once you have marked no, you will no longer be receiving funds.
  • You will still have the option to opt out of one or more payments if you do not wish to receive them after marking “yes”.

All requirements for the Grant remain the same and are listed in your original application.

Grant Amounts

Child care programs that meet the eligibility requirements may apply for funding in the following amounts/categories:

  • Family/Group child care homes: $1,800 per month (up to 9 months) $750 per month (January-May 2023)
  • Other child care programs (centers, preschools, head start, school age programs, and drop-in care):
  • Licensed capacity 24 or less children: $3,600 per month (up to 9 months) $1,475 per month (January-May 2023)
  • Licensed capacity between 25-99 children: $9,000 per month (up to 9 months) $3,800 per month (January-May 2023)
  • Licensed capacity 100+ children: $18,000 per month (up to 9 months) $7,400 per month (January-May 2023)

Remaining funds have been evaluated by DCF and CCAKS, and there will be 5 additional payments from January-May 2022 for applicants who apply by November 30, 2022. Amounts are listed above in red.

Timeline
  • March 1, 2022: Grant application launches.
  • November 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm CST: Grant application deadline. Grant applications must be received in our office.
  • June 30, 2023: Deadline to spend grant funds.
  • Monthly tracking forms and “OPT-IN” are due monthly *by the 5th of the month* in order to receive payment for that month. Payments are made monthly, on the last business day of the month, starting April 29, 2022.

Informational Webinar Recordings

English Webinar

Webinar en Español

Sustainability Grant Round 3 Opt-In Webinar

*To request a paper application in English or Spanish, please call (785) 823-3343 or email grants@ks.childcareaware.org.

Fax Number: 785-823-3385

The federal government passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March 2021. This law provides supplemental funds to help State, Territory, and Tribal Lead Agencies address the impacts of COVID-19. The funds are awarded to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and grants will be administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas.

Child Care Sustainability Grants Round 2 – closed

This grant application period is now closed.

Child Care Aware of Kansas, in partnership with Kansas Department for Children and Families, is awarding Sustainability Grants – Round 2! These grants aid in continuing operations of child care programs through the COVID-19 pandemic. All Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) licensed child care facilities that demonstrate substantial compliance with KDHE child care licensing are eligible to apply. 

Application Timeline
  • October 1, 2021: Grant application launches.
  • November 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST: Grant application deadline. Grant applications must be received in our office.
  • November 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST: Grant application deadline. Grant applications must be received in our office.
  • November 30, 2021: Awards will be distributed.
  • February 28, 2022: Deadline to spend grant funds.
  • Monthly tracking forms are due monthly if funds are spent in that time period.
Child Care Sustainability Grant Informational Webinar
Grant Documents

The federal government passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act in December and the American Rescue Plan Act in March. These laws provide supplemental funds to help State, Territory, and Tribal Lead Agencies address the impacts of COVID-19. The funds are awarded to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and grants will be administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas.

Child Care Sustainability Grants Round 1 – closed

This grant application period is now closed.

The Child Care Sustainability Grants, administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas in partnership with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF), provide support to cover provider costs of operations and potential revenue losses. All Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) licensed child care facilities that demonstrate substantial compliance with KDHE child care licensing are eligible to apply. View Governor Kelly’s announcement here.

Application Timeline
  • July 1, 2021: Grant application launches.
  • July 31, 2021 at 5:00 pm CST: Grant application deadline. Grant applications must be received in our office.
  • August, September, and October 2021: Awards will be distributed.
  • January 31, 2022: Deadline to spend grant funds.
Child Care Sustainability Grant Informational Webinar
Grant Documents

The federal government passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act in December and the American Rescue Plan Act in March. These laws provide supplemental funds to help State, Territory, and Tribal Lead Agencies address the impacts of COVID-19. The funds are awarded to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and grants will be administered by Child Care Aware of Kansas.