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Wood County Board of Supervisors Approves ARPA Funds to Support Child Care

Monday, February 17th, 2025 -- 12:00 PM

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In a unanimous vote of the Wood County Board of Supervisors, $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds were approved to support child care.

The Wood County Child Care Task Force has been working on this initiative for the past two years thanks to a Dream Up strategic planning grant received by Wood County Health Department.

Task Force members have been meeting regularly, gathering input from child care providers and families, requesting funding to support a variety of strategies and keeping county board members and others informed of the child care crisis.

"This funding is a game-changer for child care in Wood County”, said Sue Smith, Wood County Health Officer. “By working with Childcaring and investing in child care capacity, we’re not only supporting providers, we’re strengthening families, businesses, and our entire community."

"Access to quality child care is essential for a thriving workforce and a strong local economy." In an effort to build back capacity and increase regulated child care, Childcaring, Inc. is offering one-time Child Care Capacity Building Grants to individuals interested in expanding or starting a regulated child care program:

Family Child Care (typically in the providers home):

  • $5,000 - $10,000 grants available

 Family Child Care applications are accepted (while funding is available), until October 31, 2025.

Group Child Care Center:

  • Up to $100,000 grant for a newly regulated or expansion of an existing Group Child Care

Group Child Care applications are competitive and due by March 28, 2025. "We are thrilled to offer these grants to help expand and establish regulated child care programs."

"This investment will provide much-needed support to providers and families, ensuring more children have access to safe, high-quality early education opportunities," said Kelly Borchardt, Childcaring Executive Director.

Please share this opportunity widely and encourage people to reach out to Childcaring with any questions. More information can be found on the Childcaring website: www.childcaring.org; or click here.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.