Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant: AccessDubuqueJobs.com Investment

The Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, aims to enhance childcare access and quality in the region. This program supports childcare providers by addressing wage challenges while keeping tuition affordable for families. With a focus on promoting career opportunities through AccessDubuqueJobs.com, the initiative underscores the importance of childcare in fostering a thriving community. Eligible providers must meet specific criteria, ensuring quality care for children in Dubuque County.

We are excited to introduce year three of the Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (CFGD) has assumed responsibility for the fund, taking over from Dubuque Initiatives, which has partnered with Greater Dubuque Development Corp. since the program’s launch in December 2023.
They serve as teachers, caregivers, a source of nutritious meals, and nurturing environments for children, and they play a critical role in the larger economy through the provision of care options for our working families. The Dubuque County Child Care Solutions Fund Grant is designed to address the growing challenges of childcare wages without significantly increasing the costs of tuition and passing along additional costs to families. This program is supported by CFGD, a 501(C)3 non-profit, through funds received from private sector employers.
Funding Request Areas
Please apply for all the funding request area(s) that best align with your center's focus: Wage Support Supplement; HHS Required Costs; Professional Development & Technology Upgrades; AccessDubuqueJobs.com Investment
The annual rate for Childcare Centers shall be determined based on the number of Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) employees as outlined in the AccessDubuqueJobs.com Rate Card. For organizations that operate multiple service lines beyond childcare, only FTEs directly associated with the childcare program shall be included when determining the applicable rate.
In addition, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation will provide additional marketing support through AccessDubuqueJobs.com to promote childcare career opportunities and strengthen this essential workforce.

Eligibility

Program Eligibility Located in Dubuque County, or within the city limits of Cascade and DyersvilleFull license with the Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicesQuality rated (IQ4K) or NAEYC accredited programs may receive priorityHave a current Child Care Assistance (CCA) agreement with the Iowa Department of Health and Human ServicesProvide a W9Agree to provide information as requested for compliance with the Child Care Solutions Fund grant Staff Eligibility Consistently scheduled to work a minimum of 20 hours per weekWork year-round (not temporary or seasonal)Provide direct care to childrenOwners of the center businesses are not eligible