Pappas Works for Child Care Restoration Grant Funding, Promotes Application Opportunities

ITASCA, Ill. – State Rep. Diane Pappas, D-Itasca, is promoting new grant opportunities from the Illinois Department of Human Services to assist child care providers as they provide valuable service during a challenging time.

“Child care providers fill a vital role in our society, and while the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic are with us, they deserve sufficient financial support to remain open,” Pappas said. “Reliable child care is something many families cannot function without. We cannot continue working to safely reopen Illinois without first ensuring that all kids will have the care they need, and that cannot happen without well-funded child care services.”

Pappas worked with fellow legislators and the governor’s office to secure $270 million in funding for Child Care Restoration Grants to relieve the financial burden on child care providers during the COVID-19 health crisis. Applications for this grant began Monday, July 20 and will end Aug. 7. Child care providers looking for grant money can apply at https://www.ilgateways.com/financial-opportunities/restoration-grants.

“Maintaining the financial strength of child care services is essential, not just for the help they provide families, but for the role they play in our economy,” Pappas said. “Many of these services are locally-owned and responsible for keeping vital dollars flowing through Illinois’ economy. These grants will ease the difficult burden placed on many parents right now while preserving and even creating new jobs.”