NEW Employer Workforce (NEW) Care Partnership Grants is sponsored by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Child Care Services Unit. Supports non‑profit or for‑profit licensed child care providers in partnership with employers to expand child care access and capacity, especially in underserved areas.

NEW Care Partnership Grants Go to Tennessee Department of Human Services Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Fatherhood Initiative Partners Community Services Block Grant Social Services Block Grant Disaster Related Emergency Assistance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Vocational Rehabilitation Blind & Visually Impaired Services Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Services Tennessee Rehabilitation Center - Smyrna Community Tennessee Rehabilitation Centers Disability Determination Services Tennessee Technology Access Program Tennessee Business Enterprises Rehabilitation Services Focus Groups Adult Protective Services Community Services Block Grant Disability Determination Services (DDS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Vocational Rehabilitation Social Services Block Grant Family Assistance Online Application Family Assistance Case Connect Family Assistance File Upload Family Assistance Live Chat, Direct Email Child Care Payment Assistance Online Application Child Support Online Application Track Child Support Payments Frequently Asked Questions Family Assistance Questions TN Out of State Inquiry Form Information and Resources Frequently Asked Questions Consumer Education Statement Child Care Rules and Regulations Child Care Resources for Parents Child Care Resources for Providers Child Care Licensing Rules Guidance TNPAL, Training and Professional Development Resources Provider Monitoring and Inspections Commonly Requested Child Care Licensing Forms Recruiting for Child Care Certificate Program Child Care News and Announcements Modernization Project Resources COVID-19 Updates for Child Care Providers Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) Child Care Resource & Referral Centers Background Checks for Child Care Employees Child Care Out of State Registry Check Law, Policy and Excludable Charges National Fingerprint File (NFF) Map Compact States and Territories Map Fingerprint and Background Check Process Overview Child Care Payment Assistance Child Care Certificate Program Child Care Assistance Office Locator How to Become a Licensed Child Care Provider Procedures for Becoming a Licensed Child Care Agency Procedures for Requesting an Exemption from Licensure Resources for Prospective Providers Types of Regulated Child Care Report Licensing Violations or Complaints Grant Opportunity: New Employer Workforce Care Partnerships Update on Child Care Funding - Frequently Asked Questions Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS (MCCYN-Plus) Grant Opportunity: New Employer Workforce (NEW) Care Partnership Grants The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Child Care Services Unit seeks to pilot partnerships between non-profit or for-profit child care organizations, and private employers to design and implement strategies that expand child care access and capacity to serve the employer’s workforce.

The goal is to add slots or spaces of licensed child care capacity through expansion of existing child care agencies or creation of new child care agencies. By engaging Tennessee employers to invest in their workforce through innovative child care strategies, we aim to increase the availability of affordable child care that is safe, healthy, and developmentally rich.

Previously available to non-profit agencies only, all types of licensed child care providers are eligible to submit a proposal to expand licensed capacity through partnership with an employer beginning July 1, 2025.

The primary Outcomes to be achieved are: Access : Increase licensed capacity particularly in child care deserts and for historically underserved populations Increase the overall number of licensed slots of child care availability Develop child care resources that are responsive to the needs of the employer’s workforce, such as child care hours of availability that align with shift schedules Include listed strategies for serving historically underserved populations such as infants and toddlers, children in rural areas or low-income neighborhoods, dual language learners, children with disabilities, and children who need care during non-traditional hours Create a sustainable and formalized support network by engaging partners such as local governments, parents, philanthropic foundations, and businesses Affordability : Improve financial sustainability of child care providers by leveraging private partnerships Contract to participate in the Child Care Payment Assistance/Certificate Program , a state program that provides financial assistance to parents and caregivers in covering child care costs Have a detailed and formal engagement with a private employer that identifies resources the employer will provide in order to grow child care access for their workforce Identify how ongoing support from the private employer will strengthen the financial stability of the child care provider Quality: Promote care that is safe, healthy, and developmentally rich Achieve Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) scores of 80 or above Demonstrate care that is inclusive and appropriate to children with special needs and of diverse circumstances of race and economic status Demonstrate engagement of the employer’s workforce to encourage program design that meets family needs and preferences To learn more about this grant opportunity, application guidelines and instructions, please review the application guide provided below.

Grant applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis beginning February 1, 2024. Questions about the application process may be emailed to GrowingChildCare. DHS@tn.

gov . Application Guide - Growing Child Care Capacity in Tennessee – New Employer Workforce Care Partnership Grants NEW Care Partnerships FAQ AVA is a generative AI powered virtual assistant. Information provided in the responses can be verified at tn.

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