The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) announced it will host two virtual information sessions for applicants interesting in applying to the Childcare Facilities Improvement Program.

The events, which will be held Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Sept. 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., will offer attendees a program overview, a walk-through of the application, and information on how to best apply.

The program allocates $54.5 million – including nearly $15 million in Phase 1 – with the NJEDA providing grants between $50,000 – $200,000 to cover the costs of improvements to licensed child care centers in New Jersey.

Those can include items such as installing energy efficient windows, creating additional classroom space, purchasing new playground equipment, replacing flooring, remediating environmental hazards, installing child-height sinks or toilets, and more.

To be eligible, applicants must be child care centers licensed by the Department of Children & Families as of June 4, 2021, that in the last 12 months prior to the date of application have enrolled at least one child receiving assistance through the N.J. Department of Human Services’ (NJDHS’s) Child Care Assistance Program. For Phase 1, 40% of funding will be set aside for child care providers within Opportunity Zone-eligible census tracts.

The application for the program is expected to launch in October. Full details on the program, eligibility and upcoming virtual walkthroughs can be found here.