In response to the evolving health landscape, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides updated guidance, information, and resources for the operation of child care centers and daycares.
Key Goals:
- Support Child Care Providers
- Connect Families to Child Care
- Ensure Health & Safety of Employees & Children
- Provide Resources for Families
Nevada COVID-19 Response for Child Care and Development Fund
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was passed by Congress in March, allocating over $1.9 trillion in relief to individuals, businesses, states, tribes, territories, and local governments. The state of Nevada and local governments will receive about $4.5 billion in total, including approximately $365 million for child care. There are three funding streams for child care in the ARPA:
- CCDF Supplemental Discretionary Funds (ARPA Sect. 2201)
- Child Care Stabilization Grants (ARPA Sect. 2202)
- CCDF Annual Appropriation Increase (ARPA Sect. 9801)
Just over $200 million of the ARPA Child Care funds are being distributed to eligible child care providers in the form of operational stipends to support and stabilize the sector. The remaining one-time funds will be used to expand capacity and increase equitable access to quality child care that meets the needs of children and families in Nevada. The graphic to the left illustrates how resources are being utilized as part of a systems-level plan to respond, recover, and reimagine the child care system in Nevada.
In August 2021, the Nevada Interim Finance Committee (IFC) approved the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services, Child Care Development Program’s (DWSS-CCDP) spending plan for utilizing the ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grant funding, totaling just over $222 million. Access the ARPA Child Care Spending Plan here. This plan also includes ARPA projects funded through the Nevada Department of Education Office of Early Learning and Development.
Support Child Care Providers
The state continues to support child care providers through various initiatives aimed at stabilizing and enhancing the child care sector:
- Operational Support: Eligible child care providers can receive operational stipends from the ARPA Child Care funds to help stabilize their operations.
- Subsidy and Program Flexibility: The Child Care Development Program (CCDP) prioritizes processing subsidy eligibility for parents affected by health crises and offers program flexibility to support providers serving fewer children.
- Health and Safety Guidelines: Providers are encouraged to follow updated health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of children and staff.
For more information and resources:
Connect Families to Child Care
Families can find child care services through various resources:
Health & Safety Resources
To protect the health and safety of employees, parents, and children, the following resources are available: