View COVID-19 resources for CCDF Lead Agencies, policymakers, child care providers, and families
Early Care and Education Providers: Taking Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs
The following resources have been compiled for Early Care and Education programs in centers, family child care homes, and school-age care settings to ensure that information about the COVID-19 federal financial supports for small business is accessible.
Apply for PPP Before March 10th: Help for Family- and Center-Based Child Care Businesses with Fewer than 20 Employees
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a forgivable loan program to help very small businesses, such as child care programs with much needed financial support during these unprecedented times. From February 24 – March 10, 2021, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for a PPP loan. This exclusive application period allows participating lenders to focus on serving very small businesses such as family child care educators and early care and education programs. Learn more about the PPP by exploring the resources below.
National Webinars
Included are recordings of webinars that provide an overview of the business resources in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA), which was enacted on December 27, 2020. CRRSA appropriates funds to help small businesses, including minority-owned businesses and nonprofit organizations, recover from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic through the continuation of an improved version of the Payroll Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and other supports.
The webinar was hosted by the Office of Child Care’s (OCC) National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, in partnership with First Children’s Finance, and provided basic information to help child care center owners and directors access PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). PPP provides loan opportunities for eligible small businesses, including child care businesses. EIDLs provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar slides are available to view and download by clicking on the title above.
The Office of Child Care’s (OCC) National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, in partnership with Tom Copeland, the Nation’s leading expert on the business of child care, held a national webinar, How Family Child Care Providers Can Take Advantage of the New Small Business Administration Loan and Grant Programs, in January 2021.his webinar provided basic information to help family child care (FCC) providers access PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). PPP provides loan opportunities for eligible small businesses, including child care businesses. EIDLs provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinar slides are available to view and download by clicking on the title above. See Tom Copeland's responses to questions and answers.
Resources for Small Businesses
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) can help overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. SBA offers multiple funding options for those seeking relief. Information about these resources is available in multiple languages SBA website.
Local Assistance
The SBA works with local partners to counsel, mentor, and train small businesses. Find local assistance using the SBA’s search tool.
COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL)
The SBA administers the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. Small businesses, nonprofit organizations of any size, or U.S. agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees that have suffered substantial economic injury resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, can apply for the COVID-19 EIDL.
The application for the EIDL is available from the SBA. Business owners can find out if they are eligible and complete the application on the SBA’s website.
Information is available in Spanish.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The PPP has been increased and extended to add considerations for businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Early care and education providers are eligible for first and second loans. SBA will forgive loans if all employee retention criteria are met, and the funds are used for eligible expenses.
Applications are due by March 31, 2021 but funding may run out before then. Contact the local federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution to see if it is participating. Use the Small Business Development Center’s search engine to find a local center.
Information is available in Spanish.
Extension and Expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is a refundable tax credit that extends the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). The ERTC, established in the CARES Act, has been extended. The extension of this tax credit through July 1, 2021 is designed to keep additional U.S. workers on payroll and more small businesses and nonprofits across the country afloat. The IRS COVID-19 Tax Relief Tool can help determine if businesses are likely to qualify for one or more of the tax relief options currently available.
More Information from Our Partners
First Children's Finance helps children, families, and communities thrive by increasing the availability, affordability, and quality of early care and education. First Children’s Finance provides financial and business development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families and building partnerships that connect these vital businesses with the resources of the public and private sectors. The online Business Resource Centers provide tools, knowledge, and connections to help run child care businesses and are customized for family providers or child care centers
Child Care Associates, in partnership with Civitas Strategies developed The Stimulus Navigator, a workbook that helps child care programs determine eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program and apply using a step-by-step process. The navigator is available in Spanish, Navegador de estímulos. A webinar offers an overview of the application process.
Civitas Strategies supports systems change and collective impact initiatives that transform communities, regions, and states. Since 2009, Civitas has helped clients improve the lives of over one million at-risk children and families.
Tom Copeland assists family child care educators become more successful in their business. Family child educators can learn how to save money on their tax return; how to market their business; how to establish a business relationship with parents through a contract and policies; how to reduce your risks through insurance; and how to manage your money and plan for retirement.
In response to the challenges that family child care educators are navigating, All Our Kin has developed a new publication, Open, Healthy Family Child Care Programs: A Family Child Care Provider Guide to Reopening and Staying Open During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The guide provides concrete strategies to support family child care educators in running their programs during this global health crisis. The information in this publication builds on state and local health and safety regulations and should be used in conjunction with these. The guide is intended for family child care educators who have decided to keep their programs open or are in the process of reopening in accordance with these regulations. The guide is also available in Spanish: Programas de Cuidado Infantil Abiertos, Saludables: UNA GUÍA PARA PROVEEDORES DE CUIDADO INFANTIL FAMILIAR DURANTE LA PANDEMIA DEL COVID-19.
Free Business Consultants and Training
SCORE provides mentoring and education to small businesses across the United States. With the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964. Mentors are available to participate in remote mentoring sessions via phone, email, and video.
The SCORE website has a Paycheck Protection Program calculator, an array of small business webinars in English and Spanish, and other resources.
Small Business Development Centers are hosted by universities, colleges, state economic development agencies, and private partners. They are funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
There are nearly 1,000 local centers available to provide no-cost business consulting and low-cost training to new and existing businesses. The Small Business Development Centers search engine can help you find your local center.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership helps women entrepreneurs through programs coordinated by SBA district offices. Programs include business training, counseling, federal contracts, and access to credit and capital.
Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) seek to level the playing field for all women entrepreneurs who still face unique obstacles in the business world. Businesses receiving assistance from WBCs see a significantly better success rate than those without similar support. Find your nearest center.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks. Eligible public or private nonprofit child care centers, outside-school-hours care centers, Head Start programs, and other institutions which are licensed or approved to provide child care services may participate in CACFP, independently or as sponsored centers. Use the search tool to contact your state agency for more information.
The U.S. Department of Labor's unemployment insurance programs provide unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own and meet certain other eligibility requirements. Some unemployment insurance benefits are extended by the Consolidated Appropriations and COVID Relief Act of 2021.
To receive unemployment insurance benefits, file a claim with the unemployment insurance program in the state where you worked. Use this search tool to find your state or territory unemployment office.
