🔒WBDC has awarded $8.4M over 5 years to child care businesses statewide

Since it launched in 2020, a program administered by the Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has awarded $8.4 million to nearly 500 child-care businesses across the state, the organization said this week. On Monday, the WBDC released a five-year impact report highlighting the accomplishments of the Child Care Business Support Program, which launched in 2020 in partnership with the state Office of Early Childhood. The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, which was created for the program, has awarded 787 grants totaling $8.4 million to 498 child-care businesses statewide, the report states. The program provides funding opportunities for Connecticut-based early childhood businesses at various stages, from start-ups to those ready to expand, the WBDC said. Key highlights of the report include:

• 2,071 clients served across 142 Connecticut municipalities;
• 140 new child-care businesses started, and hundreds more expanded;
• 39,470 child-care slots created or retained;
• 10,686 jobs created or retained;
• $60.1 million in total capital leveraged by program participants; and
• 13,568 hours of education and advising provided.

“Access to reliable child care is fundamental to a thriving economy and advancing workplace equity in Connecticut,” said WBDC CEO Fran Pastore. “Before the pandemic, our state already faced a shortage of 50,000 child care slots — a number projected to worsen significantly during the pandemic.” Thanks in part to the program, however, “Connecticut limited child care losses to just 1% during the pandemic, well below the national average of 10%,” Pastore said. Last year, the WBDC and the state Office of Early Childhood (OEC) announced an agreement to renew the program and Opportunity Fund for another three years. The OEC said the program had been extended through June 2027 with $6 million from the WBDC after its successful response to the agency’s request for proposals. The WBDC added that it will reopen applications for the program’s Start-Up and Expansion Grants on Aug. 1. The deadline to apply is Aug. 31. Emergency Facility Grant applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis, it said. The Start-Up Grant offers up to $5,000 for family homes, $10,000 for group homes, and $25,000 for centers (for providers in business less than one year). The Expansion Grant offers up to $25,000 for licensed providers operating full-time with enrolled children for two-plus years, looking to create three or more full-time slots. The Emergency Facilities Grant provides up to $15,000 for urgent facility repairs that affect operations or the health and safety of children or staff. Those interested in applying for a Start-Up or Expansion grant may register for one of WBDC’s information sessions, which are offered in English and Spanish. Details are available on the organization’s website.