ARPA Childcare/Workforce Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Program

CITY OF MOLINE

AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) 

CHILDCARE/WORKFORCE INFRASTRUCTURE FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM 

February 1, 2022 – July 31, 2022

Please contact KJ Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, at (309) 524-2044 or kwhitley@moline.il.us if you would like to setup an appointment to address any questions you may have prior to submitting your application.

The ARPA Childcare/Workforce Infrastructure Forgivable Loan Program will assist families and Moline businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is designed to encourage entrepreneurship in child care and early education workforce, as well as, enhancement of existing centers and Family Child Care (FCC) providers so they can increase available childcare slots and change their hours to increase our options for second shift, third shift, and weekend coverage. 

Program Overview

• Improve the quality of child care providers, expansion of child care slots, and to increase the availability of early childhood development programs and before and after school programs; 
• Awards are based on the applicant’s intent and ability to increase quality childcare services;
• Encouragement of entrepreneurship in the child care and early education workforce as well as enhancement of existing centers and Family Child Care (FCC) homes so they can increase available slots; 
• Program will provide much needed capital to current and new childcare providers/businesses that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; 
• Program will help stabilize and improve Moline’s economy.  

Eligible Applicants

• Individuals who are interested in opening a licensed childcare; 
• Community-based organizations businesses (existing or new; profit or non-profit); 
• Applicants must accept all children regardless of race, religion, ethnic origin, disability, parentage, economic circumstance or any other protected characteristic; and
• Open enrollment: 10 calendar days - Moline childcare slots for Moline residents and/or employees working in a Moline business. Please see application for more details.

Eligible Funding Categories

Program Eligibility Requirements

• Business shall be actively operational for a period of thirty-six months after first financial disbursement (otherwise funds are subject to repayment);
• Maintain compliance with all State and local orders related to COVID-19;
• Child care location is physically located in Moline, IL;
• Maintain compliance with Illinois childcare licensing standards; 
• Be current, or in a payment plan, on all local, state, and federal taxes due through 1/1/2026; 
• Have an active and proper state license(s)/registration(s), provided that applicants working towards licensing status and/or have been in business less than one year, will participate and complete Child Care Resource and Referral FY 2022 or 2023 cohorts; 
• U.S. Citizenship or Entitlement to Work in the U.S.;
• Corporately owned national or regional chain businesses are not eligible, but locally owned franchises or chain businesses are eligible (for profit/non-profit).

Examples of Grant Eligible Expenses (non-exhaustive)

• Equipment
• Developmentally/Age-Appropriate Equipment
• Toys
• Miscellaneous
• Minor Building Modifications
• Fire Safety
• External Modifications 
• Bathroom Modifications
• Adaption for Children with Disabilities
• Training
• Start-Up Cost
• Other

   Please note:  Salaries are not a permitted use under this program.

Scoring Criteria

• Completeness of Application Form (0 – 5 points);
• Business Retention/New (Open & Operational) (0 – 15 points);
• Program/Community Needs & Impact Statement (0-40 points);
• Business Plan (0-20 points);
• Budget (0-20 points);
• Bonus Points - Distressed Economic Zone (0 – 25 points) 
  125 points maximum

Priorities/Scoring

• Priorities: The selection process will give priority to the following:
  • New childcare locations;
  • Increased educational programs for early learning;
  • Areas of high poverty and/or very high or low population densities (map attachments); 
  • Proposals that would increase the number of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, or school-aged children, and/or, children with disabilities served; and
  • Proposals that would for applications that provide second shift, third shift, and/or weekend hours. 
•  Scoring:  The maximum number of points that may be awarded is 125.
  • Proposals must score at least 70 points to be considered eligible for funding; 
  • Applicants ranking highest in competitive (category) order, according to the scoring criteria detailed above, shall be selected for funding, subject to the amount of funds available for each group;
  • The City of Moline reserves the right not to award any grants during any particular cycle and, if necessary, reallocate program funds between categories.  

Application Requirements

• Completed applications will be accepted beginning February 1, 2022, through July 31, 2022, (5:00 pm central time);
• Applications are accepted monthly and must be postmarked before the first of the month. Applications postmarked after the first day of the month will be reviewed the following month;
• Submitted applications will be evaluated by a Mayor-appointed, 5-member committee made up of (3) City and (2) industry personnel for accuracy and compliance with the program criteria;
• The application must contain all of the required information and supporting documentation; 
• Applicants may submit or mail their application to the address listed in the application package  (postmarked by July 31,2022);
• No faxed or incomplete applications will be accepted.  
   
  Questions can be directed to KJ Whitley, Community Development Program Manager, at (309) 524-2044 or kwhitley@moline.il.us.

Application Form Link