Press Releases
Early Care and Education Initiative’s Child Care Recovery Grant Program Awards $10 Million to 467 Child Care Providers
For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 20, 2020
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich announced that 467 child care centers and family child care homes received a total of $10 million in awards through the County’s Child Care Recovery Program, which was approved by the County Council on June 16, 2020. The grants are critical to the County’s recovery so that families can to go back to work and ensure that their children are in safe and caring environments. The funds support the reopening expenses and compensates providers for financial losses caused by COVID-19.
“Providing safe child care, which is essential for so many of our residents - especially during this pandemic, is challenging and costly,” said County Executive Elrich. “I am pleased we are able to provide some relief for this vital requirement during these difficult times.”
In March 2019, the County Executive and County Council unveiled the Early Care and Education Initiative (ECEI), a four-year action plan to expand child care options for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers; provide greater access to more families; and support schools and community providers. The effort is led by the County Executive, County Council, the County’s Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Schools, and Montgomery College. The ECEI Steering Committee serves as the lead in COVID-19 recovery issues for early care and education, including oversight of the Child Care Recovery Program.
"Child care providers are an essential part of Montgomery County's economic engine and recovery efforts," said Council President Sidney Katz. "We thank them for their ongoing commitment to our children and their parents during this challenging time. The fact is that our community members cannot return to their jobs, if they are unable to find safe and affordable child care options, and both of these things have been jeopardized by COVID-19. While we continue to advocate for additional state and federal funding, this $10 million investment has been of great assistance to some of the child care providers in our community."
“Providing quality child care is always financially difficult and especially during this challenging public health crisis,” said Councilmember Andrew Friedson. “I’m proud to work with my Council colleagues and the County Executive to invest in our future at this critical time.”
"Early care and education is key to keeping our local economy healthy and competitive," said Councilmember Nancy Navarro. "I am proud to have worked with Councilmembers Friedson and Riemer to spearhead the important appropriation that led to this good news. Before the pandemic hit, Montgomery County was working on implementing the Early Care and Education Initiative, which I authored. It is my hope that these grants can help child care providers continue this good work as we begin to reopen our local economy and continue to strengthen our Early Care and Education efforts.”
"Child care is a public-private partnership model, meaning that we often rely on private providers to provide an essential public service,” said Councilmember Hans Riemer. “There is no question that schools will be there when it is safe for students to return, but we cannot say the same about child care providers. That is why this grant fund for providers is so important. We are in the midst of a crisis, and we need bold solutions."
There are more than 1,300 licensed child care programs, including centers and home-based programs, in Montgomery County. Approximately 660 child care providers applied for these funds. A full list of those receiving grants can be found on the COVID-19 website.
For COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website. Follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.
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Media Contact: Public Information Office 240-777-6507