If the recent pandemic has highlighted anything (actually many anything’s) one issue would be the need for more child care providers who are paid a livable wage throughout the state. Here in Keene a new program was recently begun by the Monadnock Economic Development Corporation with those in rural areas in mind. The idea is to bring child care services into private homes with the aid of tax credits and grants. The goal is to make available financial assistance for health and safety improvements to private homes while they receive child care and business training.
Any money appropriated from selling tax credits goes for renovations that are a requirement for health and safety codes. For those who need assistance in navigating the process of child care licensing, a grant through the NH Charitable Foundation pays for a consultant. Additionally, Keene State College and Monadnock United Way both acquired funding to increase their training in early childhood education.
This past June, the state budget included $60.5 million to help increase the number of providers, their expenses and financial assistance to families looking for child care. In Sept., the Executive Council approved a project proposed by the NH Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS). According to Karen Hebert, director of the DHHS Division of Economic Stability, Granite United Way in Manchester was awarded $1.5 million. This money will be used to involve employers in expansion efforts of child care services.
On Wednesday, the Executive Council approved a request from the NHDHHS offer of a one-time financial assistance to those who have child care services in their homes and to child care facilities. This is $3.6 million in federal money which is in addition to the more than $100 million NH had previously funded for the expansion of child care services since the pandemic. Providers will have to apply for it and the money can be used to get back some operating expenses sustained between Mar. 3, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2023.
Allowable expenses, (according to the department’s request), include building or expansion of outdoor space; repairs, renovations or maintenance; lease or long-term mortgage payments; and training or software for the business. The goal is for this assistance to allow child care providers to hire and retain more employees. In the past, requests were made to lawmakers by these providers for extra financial assistance.
The lack of child care providers came to the attention of the Legislature and resulted in House Speaker Sherman Packard to form a special legislative committee. The committee was formed this past Jan. with the goal of finding ways how to address this ongoing crisis. Legislation is expected to be brought in January, 2024 concerning child care scholarship program for families; staff to child ratios; and increasing child care providers.
The DHHS will post the application on nh-connections.org, which is a resource website for providers and families in need of child care. These new awards will be based in part on the amount of children providers serve. The deadline to apply will be Dec. 1 at 4:30 p.m.