Continued from 2023-2025 biennium
Quality Awards
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. Programs that achieve a higher quality rating and have already received a grant for the year will receive payment for the difference between the previous quality rating and the current quality rating. Your program will be eligible to receive the full grant amount on the next annual calculation, as long as your program meets the eligibility requirements.
Awards vary based on license type, capacity and step.
Workforce Training and Education Incentive
This incentive is awarded to current members of the Early Childhood Workforce Registry who are working toward an early childhood credential or degree. An eligible child care worker can receive $100 - $300 for completing various high priority courses.
CDA PD Specialist Incentive
This incentive offers $400 per completed CDA verification visit and is awarded to Early Childhood Workforce Registry members who have a current Professional Development Specialist Certification with the Council for Professional Recognition and have completed a CDA verification visit with in the last 30 days.
Shared Services
Shared services are available at little to no cost for participating licensed child care programs. These services help child care programs save time, improve cash flow and revenue, support and manage staff, and improve overall communication with families. Child Care Aware of North Dakota offers shared services on behalf of HHS. These include business trainings, curriculum and child care management software.
Bright & Early ND
Bright & Early ND is North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) designed to assess, improve and communicate the level of quality of early childhood programs. Programs that participate receive personalized support for success, professional development opportunities and access to financial incentives.
July 2025
Career Pathway Advancement | Designated Application Windows
This incentive of $625 to $2,000 recognizes Early Childhood Workforce Registry members employed by an early childhood program, working at least 15 hours per week, with verified employment in a direct care role or non-direct care professional (e.g. nurse, education coordinator) who advance on the Career Pathways.
Aug. 2025
Pyramid Model Implementation
The Pyramid Model is a comprehensive, multi-tiered framework of evidence-based practices that promotes the healthy development of young children. It focuses on encouraging positive behavior and addressing challenging behaviors in early childhood settings. Five programs will be selected for Cohort 1.
Training and quality coaching provided to programs at no cost. Resource kits and financial incentives accompany the training. Coaching provided by USpireND.
Sept. 2025
CCAP Bonus for Bright & Early ND Providers | Impact for Providers
What’s happening:
Bonus amounts paid to providers based on their Bright & Early ND quality rating step will be changing.
| Step | Previous bonus amounts: | New bonus amounts: |
| Step 3: | 15% | 10% |
| Step 2: | 10% | 5% |
| Step 1: | 5% | 2% |
Why this is changing:
This update will help rebalance program funding while continuing to recognize provider quality.
Grow Grants
The Grow Child Care Grant supports newly licensed or expanding child care programs in North Dakota’s high-needs counties—Benson, Divide, Dunn, Griggs, Kidder, McLean, Morton, Mountrail, Oliver, Sheridan, Towner, and Wells. HHS also supports programs anywhere in the state adding dedicated infant or toddler spaces.
Facility Improvement Grant
This biennium, facility improvement grants will be available to programs that experience a facility crisis such as fire, water or wind damage.
Criminal Background Check Automated System | Business Registration opened Aug. and is required by Sept. 25, 2025
Registration allows child care providers to receive real-time updates on prospective staff background checks, view all background checks associated with their program, and communicate more easily wit hthe Criminal Background Check Unit team members.
Learn more about Criminal Background Checks and Licensed or Regulated Child Care Providers