Providers need to get their Early Childhood Affordability Grant Program applications in by Friday

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Childcare providers have until Friday, July 26, to submit applications for Early Childhood Affordability Grant Program grants, according to an announcement by the city on Monday, July 22. The application period opened July 12, the release said.

In the second year of the program, the grants support funding help for low income families and “capacity expanding programs,” such as support to fund additional educators or small infrastructure investments. The grant program is open to all licensed or certified preschools or daycare providers in Ashland, including both nonprofit and for-profit, according to the release. 

Ashland City Council first adopted the grant program in August 2023 with childcare providers receiving funding in September 2023. The pilot program enabled childcare and early learning providers to offer affordable scholarships and sliding scale rates to qualifying households, according to the release. 

“This program reinforces the City’s commitment to community affordability by facilitating greater access to childcare, enabling our working families to more easily pursue their professional endeavors and, by extension, supporting our local economy and workforce,” Paula Hyatt, Ashland City Councilor and member of the Early Childhood Affordability Ad hoc Committee, said in the release. 

Grant recipients will be expected to file quarterly reports to assist in evaluating the still young program, according to the release. 

For more information or to apply, visit ashlandoregon.gov/EconomicDevelopmentGrants  and click on the “Affordable Childcare Grant” tab on the city website.

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.