July 31, 2001 - Grants to child care centers for quality improvement made available

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services is now accepting applications for quality enhancement grants from child care centers. These grants are used to achieve or retain accreditation standards, as well as state or local licensing regulations.

SRS will make $500,000 available for the grants statewide. Child care centers may receive awards up to a maximum of $25,000.

Grant funds may be requested by a child care center for improvements pertaining to recognized quality indicators, which are specified in regulatory and accreditation standards. Examples of items used to meet standards could include supplies for child activities, playground equipment, center renovation, or fire alarms.

Quality enhancement grants are designed to enhance the quality of existing child care services in centers that provide care for children up to age 12, and are licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

A simplified grant application is available on the internet at www.srskansas.org under "Publications." Applicants will be able to use fill-in-the-blank forms downloaded from the website. Completed applications are due by October 27.

Grant funding comes from the federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF). A Request for Proposal for other CCDF grants for professional development, special projects, employer-sponsored, local advisory groups and start up/expansion will be published in September.

For further information concerning the quality enhancement grant application, check the website or contact Kent Munzer at 785-368-8127 or kjm@srskansas.org