County's second round childcare grant draws five applications but none meet scoring threshold; staff to reassess approach

Accomack County received five applications for a second-round childcare incentive grant but none met the county's pre-announced threshold of 70 points out of 100 and therefore were not eligible for award.

Background and evaluation

County Administrator Mike Mason told the board the county had appropriated $225,000 to fund a second round of childcare incentive grants intended to expand childcare availability in northern parts of the county near Route 175. The county used a publicly posted scoring rubric to evaluate applications. Two scoring criteria worth a combined 50 points ' location of the proposed facility relative to the county's priority area and demonstrated experience/licensure of the applicant to operate childcare ' were the primary reasons applications fell short of the 70-point minimum.

Why it matters: The county identified a geographic priority (northern Accomack, proximate to Route 175) and expected applicants to demonstrate readiness to license and operate a childcare facility. Many submissions were from start-up organizations without operational licensing or sufficient evidence of experience, limiting their competitiveness under the posted scoring metrics.

Next steps

- Staff recommended reassessing program design and engaging a local collective-impact organization (referred to in the meeting as Minus 95) and other partners to strengthen future solicitations and applicant capacity. The board accepted the staff recommendation to continue discussions and potentially reopen the grant program at a later date.

- The county plans to leverage relationships with community partners and previous round grantees to identify more viable applicants and consider modifications to the scoring framework (for instance, clearer emphasis on licensed operators and priority locations).

Provenance and context

- The program originally launched Aug. 1 with a Sept. 15 deadline; five applications were received and reviewed. (Provenance: staff presentation s=3155.4849's=3275.655.)

Ending: Counties looking to expand childcare supply often find the challenge is not only funding but applicant capacity and site readiness; Accomack staff will work with partners and consider reopening the grant program when a stronger slate of proposals can be expected.