Home-based childcare providers in Orleans, Genesee eligible for $2,000 grants
ALBION – Home-based child care providers are eligible for $2,000 grants, made possible by the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
The grants include about 20 home-based childcare sites in Orleans and Genesee counties. Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is distributing the grants.
“It’s an absolutely wonderful opportunity for the home-based providers,” said Bonnie Malakie, director of children and youth services for Community Action.
Home-based childcare providers should receive an application for the funding from Community Action through the Child Care Resource & Referral program. Currently there are 20 certified group family daycares or home-based child care providers in the two counties, Malakie said.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation awarded the grant to Rochester Area Community Foundation to help about 200 small, home-based child care providers in Orleans, Genesee and Monroe counties.
“Child care is essential now more than ever,” said Amber Slichta, vice president of programs at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. “Small, home-based child care providers rarely qualify for support and, in turn, do not view themselves as small businesses. It’s important that we continue to fill these gaps and uplift these providers, as they are often the only option for working families in rural areas and urban neighborhoods.”
During the pandemic, these smaller child care sites are seeing more demand with families looking for smaller settings with fewer children and adults. The grants of up to $2,000 each will be given to providers to use how they see fit — to help them open or continue operations.
“In-home child care has always been in demand. But the pandemic has more families looking at home-based options as a way to minimize their children’s exposure to large numbers of other children and adults,” says Jennifer Leonard, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “This sudden need by families during an already difficult time has placed a great deal of strain on home care providers who want to help.”
