Early Childhood Program Grants

Early Childhood Program Grants is sponsored by North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. Offers grants to eligible childcare programs affected by fire, flood, severe weather damage, or structural failure after July 1, 2025.

Early Childhood Program Grants | Health and Human Services North Dakota Early Childhood Program Grants Grants will be offered to eligible childcare programs while funding is available. Facility Improvement Grant: 2025-2027 Facility Improvement Grants are for HHS licensed facilities that have been affected by a fire, flood or severe weather damage or structural failure, that must have occurred after July 1, 2025.

Complete the Facility Improvement Grant pre-application . Complete the required application documents.

SFN 1954 Facility Improvement Grant Worksheet SFN 1953 Grant Acknowledgement Form Complete Facility Improvement Grant Worksheet Complete Grant Acknowledgement Form Submit before pictures of damage View Facility Improvement PowerPoint 2025-2027 Grow Child Care Grant: 2025-2027 The Grow Child Care Grant supports newly licensed or expanding child care programs in North Dakota’s desert and high-needs counties.

Apply within 60 days of licensing or expansion Have a viable business plan Grow Child Care Grant Definitions New license: Creating new slots in a licensed child care space that has not been previously licensed. High needs/Desert County Expansion: Expanding the number of slots in a currently licensed space or expanding the number of slots in a currently licensed space by moving to a new location (which results in a new license).

License must reflect an increase in capacity from prior license. Infant/Toddler Expansion: Classrooms that are designed to serve children ages 0-35 months. An applicant can demonstrate this by describing plans for both physical space and staffing, as per licensing requirements.

License must reflect an increase in capacity from prior license. Eligible Applicant: Owner of a childcare program (as defined in NDCC 50-11. 1(2)(16).

Center:$2500 per slot - up to $100,000 Family/Group/Group Facility: $2500 per slot - up to $75,000 $750 per new slot: Max award $45,000 Center:$1500 per slot - up to $100,000 Family/Group/Group Facility: $1500 per slot - up to $45,000 $500 per new slot: Max award $30,000 HHS also supports programs anywhere in the state adding at least 4 infant-slots or 5-toddler-slots in a dedicated space for that age group (effective July, 1 2026).

+4 infants or +5 toddlers:$5000 +8 infants or +10 toddlers: $10,000 Complete the Grow Child Care pre-application . If you receive notice that your pre-application has moved to the next step Review the Scoring Rubric to assist with completing the Business Plan and Business plan questions- you must score at least 80 points. If awarded a grant the Awardee (program owner) will be required to sign and return a grant agreement.

Health and Human Services contracts with Child Care Aware® of North Dakota to provide support when you are starting or expanding a childcare program. Learn more on the Child Care Aware® of ND website or call 1-800-997-8515. SFN 1946 Grow Child Care Business Plan SFN 1950 Grow Child Care Budget Page and Narrative Preservation of child care is not included as an eligible activity.

Preservation is defined as preventing the loss of existing childcare capacity. Examples: moving children from one location to another or transferring ownership or taking over responsibility for an existing child care business. Inclusive Care Support Grant: 2025-2027 Be a licensed or self-declared child care provider.

Care for a child with a current IEP or IFSP, documenting child's developmental delay or disability. Submit all required documentation with the application or upon request. Complete the SFN 1930 Inclusive Care Support Grant .

Applications with all required documents will be reviewed for possible funding. Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. What Can Grant Funds Be Used For?

Grant funds may be used to support one or more inclusive care needs, such as: Activities that help meet the specific needs of a child with a disability or developmental delay. Specialized equipment is equipment or tools that help support the care, safety, learning, or participation of a child with a disability or developmental delay. The equipment should help meet the individual needs identified for the child.

Note: Prior to requesting adaptive equipment, check with the below resource as an option: Adaptive Equipment Services | Health and Human Services North Dakota Environmental Modifications Approved building or space changes must help your program safely and effectively provide inclusive care for a specific child currently enrolled in your program who has a disability or developmental delay.

If awarded funding for Environmental Modifications, you will be required to submit receipts within 90 days of grant approval. Additional documentation may be required for all requests. How Much Funding Is Available?

These are single, one-time awards available during the grant period. Supported Child Benefit: $2000 per qualified child Specialized Equipment: maximum amount of $1500. Environmental Modifications: maximum amount of $10,000.

Funding is limited and may not be available for all applicants. When Is the Grant Available? June 1, 2026 through May 28, 2027.

The application period may close early if all funding has been awarded. IEP (Individualized Education Program) supports children receiving special education services. IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) supports infants and toddlers receiving early intervention services.

Did you know that inclusion support is available for your early childhood program? Health and Human Services contracts with USpireND to provide support for early childhood programs who are caring for children with unique needs. Learn more on the USpireND website or call 701-997-1950.

QRIS - Quality Improvement Grant 2025-2027 QRIS - Quality Improvement grants are available to licensed childcare programs to support investments in quality. This grant is available on an annual basis and measured by the program’s ability to attain and/or maintain a step 2, step 3, or step 4 quality rating. Non-Traditional Hour Care Grant: 2025-2027 What is the Non-Traditional Hour Child Care Grant?

This grant helps childcare programs offer care during hours outside the typical workday to supports families who work evenings, nights, weekends, or have changing schedules. Health and Human Services (HHS) is looking to fund one or two childcare care programs to expand care for families with non-traditional work schedules. Funding is limited and competitive.

Communities that have already received this grant are not eligible to apply at this time. This helps expand services to new areas of the state. Previously funded communities include the Fargo area and Oakes.

Learn more about eligibility, funding, and how to apply below. What Are Non-Traditional Hours? Non-traditional hours include care offered outside typical daytime hours (7:00 a.

m. to 6:00 p. m.)

, such as: Second shift (typically 3 p. m. -11p.

m. or 4p. m.

- Midnight) At least four hours beyond typical hours of care, five days a week. These schedules are common in industries like health care, manufacturing, energy, and hospitality. How much Funding is Available?

Applicants may request up to $500,000. What can the grant money be used for? Building or space improvements Expand non-traditional hour care in a HHS-licensed childcare program Show interest from working parents Partner with employers or community groups and provide letters of support Be ready to start care within three months Have a plan to stay open after grant funds end What are the expectations of programs that receive funding?

Make available non-traditional hour care for a minimum of one year upon award of the funds Communicate regularly with HHS Participate in data collection Report challenges and successes Frequently Asked Questions How do I apply for grants in the ND Early Childhood Hub?

Follow the steps below to apply for the following program grants, QRIS - Quality Improvement Grants, Grow Child Care Grants, Inclusive Support Care Grants, and Facility Improvement Grants: Enter your email address and password. In the top right corner, click the blue box, then select your organization. From the left-hand menu, click Quality Dashboard.

On the right side, click the Apply for Cases button. Scroll down to the grant you want to apply for, then click Apply. Review each section of the application.

You can track your progress using the icons (confirmed, review, and incomplete). After reviewing all sections, click Submit Application. Read and agree to the Attestation Agreement, then click Continue.

Click Yes to confirm and submit your application. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation email with next steps. How to apply for the Non-Traditional Hour Care Grant?

June 1, 2026 through May 28, 2027. The application period may close early if all funding has been awarded. Complete the SFN 1920 Non-traditional Hour Child Care Grant Application .

Email the completed SFN 1920 and 3 letters of support to ecsupportfunds@nd. gov Applications with all required documents will be reviewed for possible funding. Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

How will I receive the grant funds? Funds will be sent by direct deposit or check within 30 days of your grant application approval. Grant payments are considered income by the IRS and you will receive a 1099-G from the State of North Dakota.

Please consult your accountant or tax professional to understand more about your tax situation. Who can apply for program grants? The owner of the childcare program is the eligible applicant (as defined in NDCC 50-11.

1(2)(16) for the Facility Improvement Grant. Stay up to date with the latest information and resources by subscribing to the Child Care Connections newsletter, delivered quarterly by Health and Human Services. 600 E.

Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 325 Toll-Free: (800) 997-8516 Email: ecsupportfunds@nd. gov