County Childcare Grant Program Received National Recognition

2024 National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Awards of Merit

Alhambra, August 5, 2024 – Last month, the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) was presented with an Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Each year, the awards honor original innovative and effective government programs that strengthen the community.

NAHRO recognized the County’s Childcare Providers Recovery (CPR) Grant Program under the Community Revitalization category. On November 15, 2022, the LACDA launched the CPR Grant Program to provide essential financial assistance to licensed childcare providers located in communities most severely affected by pandemic-related measures. With a $20 million allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the CPR Grant Program not only addressed providers’ immediate financial challenges, but also spearheaded an innovative approach to ensuring the sustained well-being of essential childcare services. Childcare providers receiving the grant were required to use the funds towards personnel costs, rent, utilities, facility improvements, personal protective equipment, training related to health and safety practices, and purchases of necessary updates to equipment and supplies to comply with COVID-19 public health emergency orders and/or mental health support for children and employees.

“We are proud to be recognized by NAHRO for our efforts to effectively address the emergent needs of both working parents and childcare providers across the County,” said Emilio Salas, LACDA Executive Director. “A reliable licensed childcare provider enables parents to work, secure in the knowledge that their children are receiving proper care in their absence. The economic sustainability of such crucial businesses is paramount for a thriving community.”

The application period for the CPR Grant closed on February 28, 2023. Of the 4,721 applications received, 3,325 were confirmed to be within the eligible jurisdiction, and 584 licensed childcare providers were successfully awarded grants. The grants ranged from $15,000 up to $80,000, enabling providers to retain 11,342 childcare spots.