DHHS recently announced a new Nebraska Child Care Stabilization Program for licensed child care providers: https://coronavirus.nebraska.gov
CONTACT CENTER: +1 (833) 500-8810
- All eligible providers that were licensed before March 11, 2021, can apply.
- This application is only open until November 24, 2021!
- We recommend checking out this FAQ before starting the application. https://coronavirus.nebraska.gov/assets/ChildCareStabilizationFAQs.pdf
- There is no “hard copy” version – applications must come through the website.
- You may have received either a postcard or an email from DHHS notifying you of this funding. This is a NEW opportunity, even if you have previously applied for and received other stabilization funding (including the funding discussed below from summer 2021.
- There is an award estimator which will give providers an indication of what they will receive. https://coronavirus.nebraska.gov/childcare/calc
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>>>Have questions not answered on this page? Email CCRR@nebraskachildren.org or call 1-844-340-7002.
Description of Funds:
The funding you received via mail (dated July 28, 2021) is being provided to cover business expenses incurred between May 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021. You are required to submit back-up documentation for allowable expenditures incurred any time during this period that would account for the amount of the check enclosed. Further detail on documentation is provided below. You are receiving this enclosed payment because you applied and were approved to receive prior funding from the CARES Act to meet expenditures and fund items needed to continue serving children during the COVID-19 crisis.
This qualified you to receive additional funds based on amounts as approved by the Department of Health and Human Services for this additional round of payments.
- Family Child Care Home I’s/Family Child Care Home II’s will receive Stabilization Funds $3,500
- Child Care Centers will receive Stabilization Funds $5,550
- Licensed Private Pre-K will receive Stabilization $3,500
- School-Aged Only Child Care and School-Aligned Afterschool Programs will receive $5,550
Funding Source:
The US-DHHS Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law March 27, 2020, and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act passed December 27, 2020 has provided this funding to states in response to the strain experienced by child care providers as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding operates under the rules applied to CCDF funding.
CCDF federal funds are specifically designated to improve the quality of child care, provide quality programs for low-income children, and to increase the availability of early childhood development programs and before and after school programs. This source of funding requires strict adherence to reporting on how the funds were used; including documentation of the payments made to cover a business expense or when making a purchase.
You are required to submit back-up documentation for allowable expenditures incurred during the period May 1, 2021-October 31, 2021 that would account for the amount of the check enclosed. Please send this documentation to us clearly indicating your name and the name of your child care/program. Click here to download an Expense Report form.
Submit the documentation all together as one packet (not multiple emails) at your earliest convenience but no later than November 15, 2021.
You can send this by email attachment to: CCRR@nebraskachildren.org
or mail: Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, 215 Centennial Mall South, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation (NCFF) is administering this distribution at the request of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Documentation of your larger operational expenses simplifies this process.
Allowable Expenses and Required Documentation during the period of May 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021
| Allowable Expenses | Required Documentation | Required Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Utility payments (i.e., trash/recycling, water, electric garbage, natural gas, land line, internet) | Invoice or monthly statement | |
| Mortgage or rent payments for where the licensed child care is being provided (principal, interest, taxes, and insurance may be included) | Copy of payment slip/ e-payment receipt | Rental receipt or copy of rental agreement or mortgage statement |
| Paying staff salary, wages and/or benefits | Employee name, dates covered, amount paid, purpose (salary/wages, type of benefit to what company) | For wages and payroll taxes – submit time cards, time sheets, or payroll journals. For fringe benefits – submit copies of invoices. |
| NEW: Paying yourself as owner (this wasn’t allowed in the prior round) | Copy of deposit slip or bank statement. Proof of operation during the time period. | Deposit slip or copy of bank statement. Documentation of hours of operation, evidence of invoicing and payment received for children served. |
| Purchasing cleaning supplies and/or personal protective supplies brought on by COVID-19 (i.e., disinfectants, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves, facial masks, fever thermometers) Purchasing supplies for caring for children, (diapers, wipes, infant formula, paper towels, toilet paper) | Itemized invoice/receipt from vendor | Invoice/receipt must have items listed, not just the total. Expenses being claimed with CCDF funds must be highlighted and clearly labeled on receipts that contain multiple purchases covered by other sources. |
Nebraska Children and Families Foundation is using the W-9 you provided to us for the first round of payments. A 1099 will be provided for this enclosed payment for year-end 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where can I find the expense report form?
A. Click here to download the expense report form.
Q. Do we have to include the expense form?
A. No, as long as the total amount is $3,500 or $5,550 you do not need to recreate it. Please do not take the time to fill out an expense sheet for them.
Q: Our program has a new Director, can we receive a new check with the current director's name?
A. You need to call 1-844-340-7002 to request a new check. We ask the provider to send the check back along with support documentation.
Q: I plan to close in the next few months, can I still cash the check?
A: As noted in the letter the eligibility criteria from the first round of funding, applies to this round as well. More specifically, you are required to be open and currently serving families and agree to stay open for a minimum of two months after receipt of funds. If program should be required to close at the direction of the local or state health department or other authorized officials, applicant will not be required to return funds. If closed, applicant must show they closed because of COVID-19. Applicant must also agree to reopen once the local or state health department or other authorized officials determine it is safe to do so.
Q: I recently closed but have documentation that equals the amount of the check I received, can I still submit and cash the check?
A: No. As noted in the letter that accompanied the check, eligibility criteria requires that you be open and currently serving families and agree to stay open for a minimum of two months after receipt of funds. Please send the check back with a note explaining you are unable to accept the funds.
Return the check to: Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Attn: accounting, 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508. If you have already destroyed the check, please inform us at CCRR@nebraskachildren.org.
Q: I don’t want to cash the check I received. What should I do?
A: It is your decision to cash the check, these funds are being provided to you as part of the federal CARES Act funds awarded to Nebraska providers. You are receiving this check as a second payment based on your submission of an application for funds. The intent is to support providers, like you, to assist in covering operational costs and we do encourage you to consider cashing the check and providing the documentation of expenses. If you do choose to not cash the check, please return it at your earliest convenience to Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, Attn: accounting, 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508. If you have already destroyed the check, please inform us at CCRR@nebraskachildren.org.
Q: What documentation should I submit for paying myself as the owner?
A: PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT TO PAY YOURSELF AS PROVIDER.
NOTE: Please use paying yourself as an owner as a last resort. We recommend you continue to utilize large expenses like mortgage, rent, utilities, phone, taxes (estimate for six-month time period)
>>>Have questions not answered on this page? Call 1-844-340-7002 or Email CCRR@nebraskachildren.org or call 1-844-340-7002. (Due to high volume of calls, email will receive a quicker response.<<<
