2025 Child Care Provider Grant

Traducción al español disponible en: https://bit.ly/3P3ciGQ The Will County Board has allocated $257,470 to fund the 2025 Elevate Will County - Child Care Provider Grant from the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, available for DCFS licensed daycare providers in Will County. Applicants must be a DCFS Licensed Child Care Provider serving children ages 0-5 located in and providing service in Will County. Providers located within the Will County Restore, Reinvest, and Renew (R3) Areas will receive priority. To determine R3 Areas visit: https://r3.illinois.gov/eligibility/.

This is the second year of the Elevate Will County - Child Care Provider Grant, initially funded in FY24. Continuation and future funding of this program is contingent on County Board approval. Total amount of funding expected to be awarded through this NOFO is $250,000; Awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Anticipated start date for awards is April 17, 2025. The period of performance will be 12 months from awarded date. Pursuant to Section 6z-112 of the State Finance Act (30 ILCS 105/6z-112) governs the distributions of the Cannabis Regulation Fund, established for all moneys collected under the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705) consisting of taxes, license fees, other fees, and any other statutory transfers. Funds necessary for the implementation, administrative and enforcement of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705) remain in the Cannabis Regulation Fund. After the afore mentioned allocations, the determined transfers are made into the Cannabis Expungement Fund. The State Comptroller and the State Treasurer shall transfer 8% of remaining funds to the Local Government Distributive Fund pursuant to Section 2 of the State Revenue Sharing Act (30 ILCS 115/2) to fund crime prevention programs, training, and interdiction efforts, including detection, enforcement, and prevention efforts, relating to the illegal cannabis market and driving under the influence of cannabis. Will County has allocated $257,470 in FY2025 from the Local Governmental Distributive Fund received through the Cannabis Regulation Fund to award Direct Assistance Grants to eligible Will County Childcare Providers through the Will County Child Care Provider Grant and associated administrative costs. This opportunity is a reimbursement grant. Applicants will expend funds for grant approved budget lines and then submit a Payment Request for reimbursement from the County. Requests for advanced payment will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with consideration of risk with both project and entity.

All applicants must be a DCFS Licensed Childcare Provider located in Will County. Applicants are encouraged to complete registration in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal, https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/, prior to the time of grant application. The County will request verification of the following required criteria if applicant is not registered in the GATA portal: -Child Care Provider has valid FEIN number -Child Care Provider is not on the Federal Excluded Parties List -Child Care Provider is in Good Standing with the Illinois Secretary of State -Child Care Provider is not on the Illinois Stop Payment list -Child Care Provider is not on the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Provider Sanctions list Entities on the Illinois Stop Payment List and/or the Federal Excluded Parties List at time of application submission will not be considered for an award. Pursuant to the policy of the Illinois Office of the Comptroller, to receive grant funds from the State of Illinois, a grantee must be considered a regarded entity by the IRS for federal income tax purposes. Disregarded entities will not be eligible to receive grant funds. While not required for application, applicants are encouraged to maintain: -Current SAM.gov registration (https://sam.gov), SAM.gov registrations must be marked as “public” to allow the GATA Grantee Portal to expedite the review of the federal information; -Valid UEI number (https://sam.gov) -Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal registration **Applicants awarded funds through the Will County Child Care Provider Grant without a valid SAM.gov registration and UEI will be required to complete during the period of performance. Assistance from Will County will be provided to navigate administrative condition of award. The County is under no obligation to review applications that do not comply with the above requirements. Failure to meet the application deadline may result in the County returning applications without review or may preclude the County from making the award.

Eligible projects include, but not limited to, improvements in the following categories: EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS: Books, paper, crayons, art supplies, fine motor toys, STEAM/STEM resources, etc. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Safety and sanitation (e.g. kitchenware, baby gates, outlet covers, door locks, safe cleaning supplies, gloves, changing tables, cubbies, etc.); Furniture, rugs, inviting child friendly environment; Paint, air filtration, water filtration; Signage; Gross motor materials/safe playground/fencing TECHNOLOGY: Security system(s)-Inside/Out & installation; Computer software to enhance services/tracking, enrollment, meals, waitlists, parent communication, screenings for children, etc.; Hardware for faculty (smartboard, tablets, laptops, projector/screen); Upgrading parent communication systems; Webpage software/updates DEVELOPMENTAL SUPPORTS: Developmental Screening Tools; Hiring consultant(s)/trainer(s) to meet the needs of workforce, families, children; Social emotional program enhancement; Sensory related program enhancements (e.g. soundproofing, weighted blankets, etc.); Health screenings (mobile dental/health van, hearing and vision, medical checkup, remote services); Hiring remote services that target children’s needs (gross motor, language, fine motor, dramatic play, etc.); Healthy meal programming/food purchases Ineligible activities/costs include, but not limited to: -Administrative expenses -Staff Recruitment (hiring & retention bonuses) -Indirect Costs

Recipients must submit periodic financial reports, periodic performance reports, final financial and performance reports, and, if applicable, an annual audit report in accordance with the 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D - Performance and Financial Monitoring and Report of the Federal Uniform Requirements (see link below for additional information). Future awards and fund drawdowns may be withheld if reports are delinquent. 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart D - Performance and Financial Monitoring and Reporting: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/subject-group-ECFR36520e4111dce32