(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
"Child care center" has the same meaning as set forth in section 26-6-102 (5).
"Child care desert" means a community or area in the state where there are more thanthree children less than five years of age for each single available child care slot.
"Child care provider" or "provider" means a child care center or a family child carehome that holds an open license in good standing with the state department.
"Early childhood council" means an early childhood council identified or establishedlocally in communities throughout the state pursuant to section 26-6.5-103 or 26-6.5-106.
"Eligible entity" means a licensed child care provider that is open and operating or anapplicant actively pursuing a child care provider license through the state department's child care licensing and administration unit. "Eligible entity" includes family, friends, or neighbors who provide license-exempt child care pursuant to this article 6, but who are actively obtaining a license through the state department's child care licensing and administration unit.
"Expansion" means licensed child care capacity expansion, by any means, for anexisting licensed child care provider.
"Family child care home" has the same meaning as set forth in section 26-6-102 (13).
"Grant program" means the emerging and expanding child care grant program created in subsection (2) of this section.
"Open and operating" means a child care provider that is actively providing care forchildren and that has updated its operational status with the state department's child care licensing and administration unit.
(2) (a) The emerging and expanding child care grant program is created in the state department. The purpose of the grant program is to expand access and availability of licensed child care throughout the state.
(b) An award from the grant program may be used for costs associated with expanding an open and operating child care center or family child care home or to assist an eligible entity with start up of a new child care center or family child care home. Costs may include, but are not limited to, staff training, background check fees, cleaning supplies, educational supplies, and capital and facility improvement costs.
The state department shall create a process for soliciting, vetting, awarding, and monitoring grants through statewide early childhood councils.
(a) On or before January 2, 2021, the state department shall develop an application process for an eligible entity to follow when requesting a grant from the grant program. The application must include the award criteria set forth in subsection (4)(c) of this section and any applicable timelines established by the state department. The state department shall award grants to an eligible entity based on the eligible entity's need as well as the application criteria set forth in subsection (4)(c) of this section.
A grant award must range from at least three thousand dollars to no more than fiftythousand dollars. In awarding a grant, the state department shall use the applicant's existing or proposed licensed child care capacity, as well as the applicant's need, as key criteria in determining the amount of the grant award.
In determining grant awards, the state department shall consider eligible entities located in a child care desert. The state department shall also consider eligible entities that have or are actively pursuing:
A fiscal agreement with the Colorado child care assistance program, created in part 8 of article 2 of this title 26;
A commitment to engaging in quality improvement activities through the Coloradoshines system, established in section 26-6.5-106 (5), within eighteen months of receipt of their grant award;
A memorandum of understanding in place with their early childhood council toensure support from the council; and
An application to the state department's child care licensing and administration unitand are working with their licensing specialist to determine capital or facility improvement or expansion needs and opportunities.
(d) Eligible entities that are applying for a grant award shall:
Provide assurance to the state department that zoning, fire, and, if applicable, healthapproval are underway prior to receiving grant funding; and
Provide a written commitment to submit any reports required by the state departmentto demonstrate progress toward successful licensing or expansion through the state department's licensing and administration unit.
On or before January 31, 2021, or as soon as practicable after December 7, 2020, thestate department shall begin the grant award process to eligible entities.
This section is repealed, effective June 30, 2023.
Source: L. 2020, 1st Ex. Sess.: Entire part added, (HB 20B-1002), ch. 10, p. 53, § 1, effective December 7.