Child Care Program Grants

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. 

Grant Parameters

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 Requirements

Step 1: Complete the pre-application - Grow Child Care Pre-Application

Step 2: Complete the required application documents (see the Resources)

Step 3: Apply for Grow Child Care Grant through the Early Childhood Hub - Quality Dashboard

Eligible programs must:

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

Learn More: PowerPoint 2025

Resources

• SFN 1946 Grow Child Care Business Plan
• SFN 1950 Grow Child Care Budget Page and Narrative
• Scoring Rubric

Child Care Aware of ND is available to provide support during the start-up and/or expansion process. They can be contacted here or call 1-800-997-8515.

Coming Soon!

Grant Parameters

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.

Note: 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

Application Requirements

Step 1: Complete the pre-application - Facility Improvement Grant Pre-Application

Step 2: Complete the required application documents (see the Resources)

Step 3: Apply for Grow Child Care Grant through the Early Childhood Hub - Quality Dashboard

Eligible programs must:

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

Learn More: PowerPoint 2025-2027

Resources

• SFN 1954 Facility Improvement Grant Worksheet
• SFN 1953 Grant Acknowledgement Form 

Child care providers can apply for grants through the Early Childhood Workforce Registry.

Step 1: Make sure Registry account(s) are up to date. This includes your individual account and/or organization account (for business owners/directors).

• Important: If you don't have an account, create one.
• Instructions: How to Set up an Organization Account

Step 2: Log in to your Registry account and apply.

Apply Now

Grant payments will be processed and paid within 30 days of the grant 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.

Need assistance uploading documents to your Document Vault?  

Step by step directions:

1. Log in to your Growing Futures individual profile. 
   • Use the drop-down menu below your name (found at the top right) to access the organization profile.
2. Click Document Vault, then click on the Manage button.
3. Click the +File button.
4. Click on +Find files. 
   • Choose the file from your computer that you want to upload.
5. Choose File Type
   • Click the down arrow to the right of Select a File Type, then select General.
6. After you select General then click the green Save button at the bottom.
7. Your document will be successfully loaded when you see a green checkmark on the Document(s) Uploaded screen.
8. Click the Return button to return to your organization profile.
9. Your documents will now be displayed in your Document Vault.

View Directions with Pictures