I'm writing to find out if any other centers, located in other states, are having difficulty accessing the CARES ACT funds that were specifically set aside to support childcare programs.
In Texas, the Federal Funds from the CARES ACT were sent to our Texas Workforce Commission and then those funds were distributed to our Workforce Boards to use to beef up the Childcare Subsidy Program. However, childcare providers that do not participate in the Subsidy Program have not seen a dime of these funds. There is not system in place with Texas Workforce Commission to issue those funds to non-subsidized providers. Also if you were a subsidized provider, but you had low enrollments of subsidized students back in March, then you are seeing a much smaller portion of the enhancements put into the program by the Workforce Boards.
The Centers that do not participate in the subsidy program are having to close but because they cant the federal assistance they need other than the PPP loans which were a one time gig.
My concern is that if more money is allocated for ChildCare Support in the next funding Bill, the money will still not get to the centers that need it.
Is anyone else experiencing this in their State and if so, was there any resolution to helping the other providers.
My question to our NAEYC reps is, has anyone made the legislators aware that this is happening so they can also be working on a solution to this problem or is this an issue that is only present in Texas?
------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX
------------------------------