Press Release: City of Ashland’s Early Childhood Affordability Grant Open!

Early Childhood Affordability Grant Program for Ashland – Funding is available for the current fiscal year. 

 In August 2023, the Ashland City Council adopted the Early Childhood Affordability Grant Program and authorized City staff to begin implementation. This initiative aims to address childcare affordability, early learning access and support for Ashland families.

Following the City Council’s approval, the City of Ashland launched the pilot grant program for childcare providers in September 2023. The pilot program enabled Ashland childcare and early learning providers to offer sliding scale, affordability scholarships to qualified low and moderate-income households seeking early childcare options. Due to the success of the initial pilot, and in response to the feedback from our partners, this years’ program will open the grant application to include capacity expanding investments. Examples of such investments include funding support for additional educators, and modest infrastructure investments. The grant program is open to all licensed/certified preschools or daycare providers in Ashland, both non-profit and for-profit.

“This program reinforces the City’s commitment to community affordability by facilitating greater access to childcare, enabling our working families to more easily pursue their professional endeavors and, by extension, supporting our local economy and workforce.” said Paula Hyatt, Ashland City Councilor and member of the Early Childhood Affordability Ad hoc Committee.

The grant program aligns with the Early Childhood Committee’s goals to:

• Address Ashland’s need for expanded early childhood care services.
• Support households seeking affordability and financial stability.
• Attract and retain a local workforce by enhancing quality of life and affordability.
• Strengthen kindergarten readiness through collaboration with partners.
• Foster economic development in Ashland.

Applications for grants during the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, will be accepted from July 12, 2024, through July 26, 2024. For more information and to apply, visit ashlandoregon.gov/EconomicDevelopmentGrants   and click on the “Affordable Childcare Grant” tab on the City’s website.

Quarterly reports will be submitted by grant recipients to facilitate effective program evaluation. Hyatt and the Ad hoc Committee will continue to monitor the program and provide an annual summary including scholarship data and recommendations to the City Council. 

“We are Better Together!” 

CONTACT:
Sabrina Cotta, Interim City Manager
City of Ashland
541.552.2106
Email

Information on the grant program, eligibility, and appropriate uses of funding, can be found here: https://ashlandoregon.gov/787/Economic-Development-Grants