Arizona's Child Care Stabilization Grants

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) child care stabilization grant (CCSG) program is designed to sustain Arizona’s child care network by supporting providers with a consistent, reliable funding source to cover increased cost and challenges due to COVID-19. After September 30, 2022, no additional CCSG awards will be made. All CCSG providers approved for the award between July 2021 and September 30, 2022 will be paid monthly through June 2023.

Who is eligible? Providers do not need to be contracted with DES to receive grant funds. ALL DHS licensed centers, tribal and military child care providers, DHS certified group homes, DES non-certified relative providers, and DES family child care providers are eligible. Providers must:

  • Be open and currently serving children at time of application
  • Remain in good standing with their regulatory authority
  • Submit required monthly and quarterly reports
Grants are non-competitive. All eligible providers that apply will be awarded. 
 
How much is the grant award? Once approved, grant awards will be issued monthly in flat payments based on provider type/capacity, through June 2023.
  • DHS Licensed (100+ capacity) = $14,600/month
  • DHS Licensed (60-100 capacity) = $10,900/month
  • DHS Licensed (11-59 capacity) = $7,000/month
  • DHS Certified Group Home (5-10 children) = $2,600/month
  • DES Certified Family Child Care (1-4 children) = $1,800/month
  • DES Non-Certified Relative = $900/month
What can the grant be used for? Providers can use grant funds for a variety of expenses including salaries and benefits for employees, bonus incentives for hiring and retention, licensing fees, liability insurance, lease/mortgage payments, utilities, mental health support, classroom materials, and supplies.
New Workforce Amount Grant

Child care providers receiving the CCSG can also apply for the new Workforce Amount intended for planned spending related to recruitment and retention, hiring, and employing all child care staff. Allowable costs include increases to:

  • salary and wages
  • health insurance benefits
  • life insurance benefits
  • flexible benefits such as dental or vision
  • vacation/holiday pay
  • overtime wages
  • overtime bonuses
  • retention bonuses
  • referral bonuses
  • sign-on bonuses
  • other costs associated with hiring and employing staff

Effective July 2022, child care providers receiving the CCSG who certify that they will use the Workforce Amount funds to directly support the child care workforce will receive a new total monthly CCSG award in the following amounts:

  • DHS Licensed (100+ capacity) = $30,100/month
  • DHS Licensed (60-100 capacity) = $22,400/month
  • DHS Licensed (11-59 capacity) = $13,500/month
  • DHS Certified Group Home (5-10 children) = $3,600/month
  • DES Certified Family Child Care (1-4 children) = $1,800/month
  • DES Non-Certified Relative = $900/month

The monthly CCSG award for providers who choose not submit an application for the Workforce Amount will remain the same. 

These funds are made available to Arizona through the Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF) relief funding appropriated through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Need support? Have questions about CCSG?

AzAEYC provides individualized technical assistance and support to Arizona child care providers to apply for the state’s child care stabilization grants. Technical assistance is made possible thanks to funding from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We are pleased to collaborate with Southern Arizona Association for the Education of Young Children (SAZAEYC) and other community partners to increase equitable access to these important emergency relief funds.