TITLE:title
Grant Application - FY2026 Alliance for Children-Smart Start Subsidized Child Care Assistance Continued Grant Funding
body
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ashley Lantz, Human Services Agency Social Services Director, 704-296-4380
ACTION REQUESTED:
A) Approve the Child Care Assistance program's request to apply for FY2026 Alliance for Children-Smart Start funding; 2) upon award of the grant, authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute agreements substantially consistent with this agenda item; and 3) upon receipt of the grant award, recognize, receive, and appropriate the awarded amount to the Division of Social Services' budget.
PRIOR BOARD ACTIONS:
Requests and appropriation of received funding from the Alliance for Children for this program is approved by the Board annually
BACKGROUND:
The Human Service Agency Social Services Department seeks approval to apply for FY2026 Smart Start funding from the Alliance for Children to support our Subsidized Child Care Assistance Program. North Carolina boasts one of the highest rates of working mothers with young children in the nation, making the availability of quality childcare essential for the State's economic development and stability. Many of Union County's working families are struggling financially to meet the needs of their families. Availability of affordable, quality, legal and safe childcare offers them financial support and relief as well as increases their likelihood of being successful in their jobs. By providing subsidized childcare assistance to children in Union County, pre-school aged children can get a high-quality early childhood education which increases their chances of being healthy and more socialized. Additionally, early education enhances a child's ability to learn, therefore they are better prepared for academic success when it is time for them to enter kindergarten.
In FY2024, a total of 701 unduplicated children were served through the Subsidized Child Care Program, 190 of th...
Click here for full text