Gov. Doug Ducey announced $98 million in aid for essential workers and businesses on Aug. 13.

Of that total, child care programs in the state will share in $88 million, after the pandemic has made it difficult or impossible for more than half of the state’s licensed and certified child care providers to operate throughout the pandemic.  With these funds, child care centers will be able to reopen in order to help essential workers by caring for their children through Arizona Enrichment Centers, according to a press release from the governor's office. 

The state’s Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund contributed $10 million that small businesses can access to pay rent and mortgage bills if they were forced to pause operations due to the pandemic. The Arizona Small Business Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant program, in partnership with the Local First Arizona Foundation will help those struggling businesses. The focus will be on businesses that do not have access to other resources.

“This pandemic has forced Arizonans to make many sacrifices over recent months. These dollars are going where they can have an immediate impact — to help our families and businesses in need of support,” Ducey said in the press release. “Helping parents access safe, reliable child care is one of the most important things we can do to support our economy. Likewise, we want to continue to be there for all the small businesses that have given so much to our communities. I’m grateful to Local First Arizona and the many organizations working to support Arizona families and small businesses through this crisis."

The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) will allocate these totals as part of a spending plan:

Child Care COVID-19 Grant Program: CCDF will allocate $47 Million. This program supports reopening childcare providers across the state. Funds may cover salaries and benefits for employees, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) licensing fees, tuition and registration relief for families and other expenses.  

Arizona Enrichment Centers Program: CCDF will allocate $24 Million. This program provides priority childcare cervices and scholarships for first responders, healthcare workers and other essential personnel.

Increase Paid Absences: CCDF will allocate $7 Million. This program will increase the number of days parents can keep a student out of childcare by three days, up to five absences per month, per child.

Child Care Reserve: CCDF will allocate $10 Million. This plan helps to address a subsidy waiting list that could develop in the fall due to the current economic climate, as well as unforeseen child care providers’ needs.