In an effort to bolster the #health-and #safety standards within child care facilities across Georgia, the state's Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) has launched the Georgia Child Care Services (CCS) Health and Safety Grants initiative. These grants aim to provide financial support to Child Care Learning Centers (CCLCs) and Family Child Care Learning Homes (FCCLHs) in order to facilitate the acquisition of essential equipment and materials necessary for compliance with #health-and-safety regulations.
Grant Awards
Grant awards under this program are determined on a sliding scale, taking into account the licensed capacity of each facility. Ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, these funds offer a flexible resource for eligible child care providers to invest in measures that ensure the well-being of the children under their care. For precise award amounts tailored to individual programs, interested parties are encouraged to reach out to DECAL at CCSHealthSafetyGrants@decal.ga.gov.
Allowable Purchases
The utilization of these grants is strictly earmarked for the procurement of equipment and materials that directly contribute to meeting health and safety standards mandated by regulatory bodies. This includes but is not limited to, items such as safety gates, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and sanitation supplies. By enabling child care facilities to access these resources, the grant program endeavors to create environments that prioritize the health and security of young children.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for grant funds extends to all open, operating, and licensed CCLCs and FCCLHs that are currently providing services to children. This inclusivity underscores the commitment to fostering a comprehensive approach to child care safety throughout the state. Recognizing the diverse needs and circumstances of different facilities, the grant program aims to be accessible to a wide array of child care providers.
Approved Vendors
To streamline the process of accessing and utilizing the Health and Safety Grants, DECAL has designated ClassWallet as the vendor through which funds are managed. This platform serves as a centralized hub for managing financial transactions related to the grant program, ensuring transparency and efficiency in fund disbursement. Moreover, all purchases made using grant funds must be conducted through DECAL-approved vendors within the ClassWallet platform, thereby maintaining accountability and adherence to program guidelines.
Health and Safety Training
In addition to acquiring physical resources, grant recipients are encouraged to invest in health and safety trainings for #staff members. These trainings play a pivotal role in equipping child care professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to create and maintain #safe-environments for children. ChildCareEd, an approved vendor within the ClassWallet platform, offers a range of health and safety trainings tailored to the specific needs of child care providers. By leveraging grant funding to cover the costs of these trainings, facilities can further enhance their capacity to uphold rigorous health and safety standards.