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Alabama’s Department of Human Resources announced bonus payments for childcare workers Monday that could amount to up to $1500 quarterly for full-time employees.
The pandemic has upended the already struggling child care industry, resulting in mass closures of daycare centers and raising the cost of care, making it unaffordable for many families. Many parents have had to leave their jobs to care for their children, according to multiple studies and surveys.
Read more: The pandemic highlighted gaps in childcare. This Alabama advocate has solutions.
In Alabama, 136 programs closed between March 2020 to March 2021, according to data obtained by Reckon. Currently, 90% of licensed childcare providers in the state are open, up from only 12% when the pandemic first hit. This is the third grant opportunity DHR has offered to childcare providers during the pandemic. Two previous grant programs for Alabama childcare providers awarded a combined 2,427 grants totaling $56.8 million.
Nationwide, Child Care Aware, an organization that helps families access childcare, reported over 16,000 child care centers have closed since December 2019.
“The pandemic has underscored the importance of accessible childcare and the crucial role our providers serve for Alabama’s families, workforce and economy,” said Alabama DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner in a news release. “This immediate investment in childcare providers and their dedicated workers will generate long-term benefits for our entire state.”
The Child Care Workforce Stabilization grants aim to “recruit and retain qualified employees as the industry recovers from the pandemic,” according to DHR.
Childcare providers who have been licensed since March 11, 2021 can apply beginning Nov. 29 for the grant, which is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Additional eligibility criteria, along with applications, grant schedules and other important information, are available at dhr.alabama.gov/child-care/.
DHR is administering the grants through the Alabama Partnership for Children and the Talladega Clay Randolph Child Care Corporation.
The ARP funding runs through September 2023, meaning recipients can receive up to eight payments, totaling $12,000 for full-time employees and $6,000 for part-time staff.
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November 22, 2021 at 11:47PM
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$12,000 in bonuses possible for Alabama child care workers - al.com
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