Hagåtña, Guam – The Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration encourages all child care providers to apply for the Adahi I Famagu’on Child Care Assistance Program Stabilization 2021 (CAPS2021). Established through Executive Order 2021-28, the Guam Economic Development Authority (GEDA) in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) serves as program administrators and will administer American Rescue Plan grant funding to eligible child care providers. Approved child care centers are encouraged to download interim guidance available at investguam.com/caps2021 to prepare for the release of the application.
“Guam’s childcare industry is part of the infrastructure that supports our island’s workforce and pandemic conditions have only created challenges for our daycares, to include limiting their capacity and increasing their expenses,” said Acting Governor Josh Tenorio. “By investing $20 million into the care of our children, we are expanding access and building capacity in the industry. This will fulfill a great need in our community and enable us to get Guam back on the path to positive economic growth all the while supporting the quality of life for our families.”
To be eligible, early care and education programs must:
- Be a federal certified Child Care and Development Fund Provider as verified by DPHSS
- Meet applicable DPHSS health and safety requirements at the time of application including the completion of comprehensive background checks
- Be in good standing with Guam’s regulations for licensed or registered care. To be considered in good standing for the purposes of this program, a program must be compliant with current regulations and may not be in an active repayment process or the subject of an active investigation or enforcement action by DPHSS.
CAPS2021 requirements and regulations are currently in review and will be discussed for final approval and implementation during the next GEDA Board of Directors meeting.
Applications will be accepted via email to caps2021@investguam.com beginning 8 a.m., November 19, 2021. The program application submission deadline is 5 p.m., December 3, 2021 and is subject to the availability of funds. Email submissions are highly encouraged.
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