Child Care Facility Grant

The Child Care Facility Grant is administered through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in coordination with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. It is funded under the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund as authorized by P.L. 2007, c.135. This program is designed to support environmental remediation efforts at sites associated with child care centers. The funder’s broader mission is to ensure safe environmental conditions across the state, particularly in sensitive settings such as facilities serving children. By addressing contamination risks, the program aligns with state priorities around public health, environmental safety, and regulatory compliance. The primary purpose of this grant is to reimburse eligible applicants for costs incurred in site remediation activities. These activities are required to ensure that properties used or intended for use as child care centers meet environmental safety standards. The funding is not intended for prospective or speculative remediation, but rather reimburses documented expenses tied to environmental cleanup efforts. The focus on reimbursement indicates that applicants must first complete qualifying remediation work before seeking grant support. Funding under this program is limited, with individual awards capped at a maximum of 1500 dollars. The relatively small funding ceiling suggests that the grant is intended to offset minor remediation costs or contribute partially toward compliance requirements rather than fully fund large-scale environmental projects. There is no indication of cost-sharing or matching requirements, and the program does not specify a total funding pool or number of awards. Eligible expenses are limited to those directly associated with site remediation as required for child care licensing compliance. Eligibility for the grant is restricted to licensed child care centers or those actively seeking licensure through the New Jersey Department of Children and Families. A key qualification requirement is the completion of a Preliminary Assessment Report conducted in accordance with New Jersey Administrative Code 7:26E. This report must be completed specifically for the purpose of obtaining a child care license, ensuring that applicants are engaged in a regulated process tied to environmental compliance and operational approval. The application process requires submission of a formal application through the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund program. Applications must be submitted to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and are subject to both eligibility and technical review by the department. Final approval of grant awards is contingent upon authorization by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. This multi-step review process ensures both environmental and financial oversight before funds are disbursed. The application timeline is structured as a rolling process, meaning applications may be submitted at any time without a fixed deadline. Notification of awards is dependent on the availability of funding, and no fixed award timeline is provided. There are no stated pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Applicants are encouraged to maintain communication with program contacts for guidance and clarification throughout the process. The primary contact listed for the program is Judlyne Destine at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, who can provide additional information and application materials. Overall, the Child Care Facility Grant serves as a targeted reimbursement mechanism supporting environmental remediation compliance for child care facilities in New Jersey. By reducing financial barriers associated with site cleanup, the program facilitates safer environments for children and supports regulatory adherence for facility operators. The rolling nature of the application process provides flexibility, while the structured eligibility and review requirements ensure that funding is directed toward qualified and compliant projects.