Child Care Program Grants

Child Care Facility Improvement Grants are for HHS licensed facilities that have been affected by a fire, flood or severe weather damage or structural failure, that must have occurred after July 1, 2025.

Application Steps

1. Complete the Facility Improvement Grant pre-application.
2. Complete the required application documents.
   • SFN 1954 Facility Improvement Grant Worksheet
   • SFN 1953 Grant Acknowledgement Form
3. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to complete an application. Need help completing the application? Visit our frequently asked questions for step-by-step instructions. 

Eligible programs must:

• Complete Facility Improvement Grant Worksheet
• Complete Grant Acknowledgement Form
• Submit before pictures of damage

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Desert & High Needs Counties

The Grow Child Care Grant supports newly licensed or expanding child care programs in North Dakota’s desert counties – Dunn and Towner and high-needs counties – Benson, Divide, Griggs, Kidder, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan, and Wells

Infant Toddler Expansion
HHS also supports programs anywhere in the state adding infant-8 slots or toddler-10 slots.

Application Steps

1. Complete the Grow Child Care pre-application.
2. If you receive notice that your pre-application has moved to the next step
   1. Review the Scoring Rubric to assist with completing SFN 1946 you must score at least 80 points.
   2. Complete the SFN 1946 Grow Child Care Business Plan
   3. Complete the SFN 1950 Grow Child Care Budget Page and Narrative
3. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to complete an application and upload your completed SFN's. Need help completing the application? Visit our frequently asked questions for step-by-step instructions. 

Eligible programs must:

• Apply within 60 days of licensing or expansion
• Have a viable business plan
• Submit a Start Up Budget

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Health and Human Services contracts with Child Care Aware® of North Dakota to provide support when you are starting or expanding a child care program. Learn more on the Child Care Aware® of ND website or call 1-800-997-8515.

Coming Soon!

QRIS - Quality Improvement grants are available to licensed child care programs to support investments in quality. This grant is available on an annual basis and measured by the program’s ability to attain and/or maintain a step 2, step 3, or step 4 quality rating. 

Application Steps

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub to complete an application. Need help completing the application? Visit our frequently asked questions for step-by-step instructions. 

Funding Tiers

What is the Non-Traditional Hour Child Care Grant?

This grant helps child care programs offer care during hours outside the typical workday to supports families who work evenings, nights, weekends, or have changing schedules.  HHS is looking to fund one or two child care programs to expand care for families with non-traditional work schedules.

Funding is limited and competitive. Learn more about eligibility, funding, and how to apply below. 

What Are Non-Traditional Hours?

Non-traditional hours include care offered outside typical daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), such as:

• Second shift (typically 3 p.m.-11p.m. or 4p.m.- Midnight)
• Overnight care
• Weekends
• At least four hours beyond typical hours of care, five days a week. 

These schedules are common in industries like health care, manufacturing, energy, and hospitality.

How much Funding is Available?

• Applicants may request up to $500,000.

What can the grant money be used for?

• Daily operating costs
• Supplies and equipment
• Building or space improvements

Who can apply?

Applicants must:

• Expand non-traditional hour care in a HHS-licensed child care program
• Show interest from working parents
• Partner with employers or community groups and provide letters of support
• Be ready to start care within three months
• Have a plan to stay open after grant funds end

What are the expectations of programs that receive funding?

Awarded programs must:

• Make available non-traditional hour care for a minimum of one year upon award of the funds
• Communicate regularly with HHS
• Share progress updates
• Participate in data collection
• Report challenges and successes

Follow the steps below to apply for the following program grants, QRIS - Quality Improvement Grants, Grow Child Care Grants, Inclusive Support Care Grants, and Facility Improvement Grants:

1. Log in to the ND Early Childhood Hub.
2. Enter your email address and password.
3. In the top right corner, click the blue box, then select your organization.
4. From the left-hand menu, click Quality Dashboard.
5. On the right side, click the Apply for Cases button.
6. Scroll down to the grant you want to apply for, then click Apply.
7. Review each section of the application. You can track your progress using the icons (confirmed, review, and incomplete).
8. After reviewing all sections, click Submit Application.
9. Read and agree to the Attestation Agreement, then click Continue.
10. Click Yes to confirm and submit your application.
11. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation email with next steps.

The application window is currently closed.

HHS will announce when the next application period opens.

Where can I get updates?

Check the HHS website or sign up for HHS communications to stay informed about future application dates.

Funds will be sent by direct deposit or check within 30 days of your grant application approval. 

Grant payments are considered income by the IRS and you will receive a 1099-G from the State of North Dakota. Please consult your accountant or tax professional to understand more about your tax situation.

The owner of the child care program is the eligible applicant (as defined in NDCC 50-11.1(2)(16) for the Facility Improvement Grant