Business Grant Info

There has been a variety of financial supports available to providers since COVID-19 impacted our small businesses. Some of these have been loans and others grants. Use this page to see current and past program information.

For NEWLY LIcensed Family Child Care providers, OCFS is distributing a one-time, $2,000 stipend. These funds are available immediately and will be ongoing through 9/30/23 or as funds are available. Stipends will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.
Newly licensed FCC providers must meet the following criteria:
• Newly licensed FCC on or after July 1, 2021; and
• Have a valid Vendor Code with OCFS
For information on Vendor Codes contact Vickie Bussey at (207) 624-7909 or
Vickie.Bussey@maine.gov

Sept. 16, 2022: Maine’s Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement Program (me.gov page). Registration information is expected soon.

Sept. 15, 2022 From OCFS:

Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) (Public Law 117-2) which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This included $14.99 billion in supplemental Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Discretionary Funds. Maine received $45.7 million of these Federal funds.

We are pleased to announce that the Office of Child and Family Services will begin providing a Provider Transition Grant for licensed child care providers to help further stabilize and support child care providers in Maine using remaining ARPA funding.  

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) will begin distributing the grants in October of 2022 to licensed child care providers to help further stabilize and support child care services in Maine. The grants will be administered over a period of eight months.      

For the months of October 2022 through January 2023, programs will be eligible to receive $50 per slot based on licensed capacity.  From February 2023 through May 2023, programs will be eligible to receive $25 per slot based on licensed capacity.

Funds will be distributed at the same time as the monthly Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement Program with first installments issued in October. Note, this means beginning in October and ending after May of 2023, providers will receive one lump sum that includes both the salary supplements and the grants described in this memo. Additional information from OCFS will be forthcoming along with the registration for the Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement Program.

These funds are intended to be used in accordance with the guidelines set forth under the ARPA stabilization grant.  Please view those guidelines here:

https://video.maine.edu/media/ARPA%20Webinar%20Recording/1_2dax53ys

July 6, 2022 Growing Family Child Care Grants / The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) is administering the Child Care Infrastructure Grant Program through a partnership with CEI.

August 20, 2020 Small Business Grant Opportunity (PDF)

September 14, 2020 Coronavirus Relief Fund Reimbursement Application Webinar (PDF)

January 19, 2021 January 23 National Webinar – How Family Child Care Providers Can Take Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs (PDF)

January 29, 2021 Coronavirus-Related Funding Opportunities for Child Care Providers (PDF)

February 5, 2021 Payroll Protection Program Loans First and Second Draw Webinars (PDF)

February 26, 2021 CRRSA Funding Strategies (PDF)

March 1, 2021 CRRSA Grant Application Memo (PDF)

March 29, 2021 Coronavirus-Related Funding Update for Child Care Providers (PDF)

April 6, 2021 CRRSA Grant Application Memo-Second Round (PDF)

July 8, 2021 Child Care Provider Stabilization Grants

July 19, 2021 CRRSA Grant Application Memo – 3rd Round

August 3, 2021 ARPA Grant Memo

Translated Materials on Child Care Provider American Rescue Plan Act Stabilization Grants memo from the Maine Office of Child and Family Services:

August 4,2021 Stipend for Newly Licensed Family Child Care Providers

Copy of OCFS Letter mailed out to Providers week of August 5, 2021. This letter contains information needed for your application. If you did not receive yours contact your licensing specialist or the contact provided by clicking to the sample.

This LINK contains national resources to help child care providers understand how stabilization grants can help their business.

Following are resources specific for family child care providers/programs.

Help is on the Way! Supporting Family Child Care to Prepare for Child Care Stabilization Grants ~ This webinar for family child care providers was presented on June 26, 2021. The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance and its partner, Tom Copeland shared information about the stabilization grants coming to states, territories, and Tribes. The webinar highlighted tools to help apply for the stabilization grants, potential uses for the stabilization grant funds, and information about how to access the grant funds.

Family Child Care Budget Guide ~ The Family Child Care Budget Guide from First Children’s Finance is designed to help family child care providers apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grants. This guide has information on each category in the application with a definition of the category and how to show expenses.

Family Child Care Expense Tracking Tool ~ This tracking tool, by First Children’s Finance, is designed to be adapted by providers to meet their needs. It lists all possible categories of expenditures and provides a tool for tracking expenditures for a 12-month period. It is available as an Excel file and a PDF.