Deadline Extended! COVID-19 Childcare Relief Scholarship Fund Program

Dutchess County and the City of Poughkeepsie received funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These CDBG COVID (CV) funds are to be used to prevent, prepare for, or respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

With schools not opening in their traditional formats, families have been challenged with the unprecedented need for childcare for their school aged children to allow parents and guardians the ability to work, look for work or attend school. The intent of this scholarship fund is to fill the gap between the number of days students will be in school and those days where students are not in school. Families are encouraged to consider their natural resources and supports and to request the minimal number of days needed so this funding can be maximized.

Scholarships will be awarded effective January 1, 2021 for the balance of the academic calendar year by a random selection process to low and moderate income Dutchess County families.

Applicants must either be ineligible for a subsidy through the Dutchess County Department of Family Services (DCFS), the Dyson Scholarship or they must have applied for and been denied a subsidy from these programs. This Childcare Relief Scholarship Fund will cover 75% of the tuition for each child, paid directly to the childcare facility. Families will be responsible for 25% of the tuition. All Dutchess County regulated childcare providers are eligible to participate.

Funding

• The funding availability for City of Poughkeepsie families is $90,000.
• The funding availability for Dutchess County families, not including the City of Poughkeepsie is $180,000.
• The CCCDP will be administering these funds for Dutchess County.