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Childcare infrastructure fund: $10M awarded; >700 applications illustrate statewide demand
Summary
DELC reported that round‑one childcare infrastructure grants distributed $10 million to providers after more than 700 applications sought roughly $300 million; technical assistance logged more than 2,000 requests and a high share of awards went to culturally specific providers and programs offering extended care.
DELC reported on the first round of the statewide Childcare Infrastructure Fund at the Dec. 11 council meeting: Business Oregon and DELC received over 700 applications requesting an estimated $300 million while the initial round awarded $10 million in grants.
Whitney O'Connell, DELC's early learning business support coordinator, said the program ran an open application from Aug. 15–Sept. 30 and that awardees have 10 days to confirm acceptance. Technical assistance partners handled more than 2,000 TA requests and each provider TA organization reported serving roughly 500 unique childcare business owners; about 20 percent of TA contacts were in Spanish.
O'Connell said 14 percent of awardees were Spanish‑speaking and 53 percent identified as culturally specific providers; 34 of 64 awardees reported offering extended care hours. "There were over 700 applications from 34 out of the 36 counties...and over $300,000,000 requested in the first round for funding," she said. DELC and Business Oregon are planning round‑two application improvements and continued free technical assistance to help providers complete reporting and implement awards. Council members requested more breakdowns by infant/toddler vs. preschool slots and enrollment impact reporting.
