Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: The Grant is open to existing or soon to be licensed family child care homes, family group homes, and center-based businesses in the State of New Mexico, including eligible Head Start and Tribal early care and education programs that seek to increase access to high-quality child care. Child care businesses must be increasing the availability of high-quality child care to be considered for funding, with preference given to applicants whose projects will positively impact infant or toddler care (0-35 months).
Q: Does an applicant have to be a 5 Star to apply?
A: No, the Grant is available to applicants who are working to increase access to high-quality child care. While applicants can work toward improving their Star rating as part of their quality improvement project, it is not a requirement to be considered for funding. For more information, please refer to the FOCUS Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System.
Q: Can I apply more than once?
A: Applicants may only apply one time per location (and per classroom for center-based businesses). Multiple applications for the same location (or classroom for center-based businesses) will not be considered.
Q: I have more than one business location. How can I apply for all of them?
A: Yes, you may apply for more than one location. However, you must submit a separate application for each child care business location.
Q: What happens if I am no longer going to be moving forward with my project plan after I have applied?
A: Please update CRECER New Mexico as soon as possible if you determine you are no longer able or willing to move forward with your proposed project plan.
Q: My capacity is decreasing, does this mean I would not qualify?
A: We understand that in an effort to increase the quality of care you provide your maximum capacity may decrease. An increase in capacity is not required to be considered for funding.
Q: I saw that I have to have a license to apply. What kind of license do I need?
A: In order to apply you must have an ECECD-issued child care license on or before May 31, 2024.
Application
Q: Where can I submit my application?
A: CRECER New Mexico grants can be accessed online at https://www.crecernm.org/ and will be available in both English and Spanish. The grant program will operate in two phases. The first phase is submission of an interest survey form. This phase opened on February 26, 2024 and closed on March 11, 2024. Submission of the interest form was optional and does not impact your ability to qualify for funding. The second phase is the funding application. The funding application opened on March 11, 2024. Applications will be accepted through May 31, 2024 or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Applicants who wish to receive priority consideration should ensure applications are submitted by March 31, 2024.
Q: Can I submit a paper application?
A: Applicants in need of a paper application should reach out to info@crecernm.org to request a paper copy. Paper copies are available in both English and Spanish.
Q: What do I need to do to prepare?
A: As part of the application process, applicants will be asked to describe their quality improvement project plan and provide detail about the proposed impact of their plan, project budget, and details about their child care business. If needed, applicants will have the opportunity to work with a child care business coach to strengthen their business plan after submitting their application.
Q: I have never created a project plan. What if I need help?
A: There is information to help you get started in our application guide. You can also access our project plan worksheet, cash flow template, and budget template. If needed, eligible child care businesses who submit an application will have an opportunity to meet with a coach to refine and improve their project plan.
Q: I’m having trouble submitting my application. What should I do?
A: If you have any questions about the application process, please contact info@crecernm.org for technical assistance. Once your application has been submitted, a coach will be available should your application materials benefit from additional support to strengthen your score.
Funding and Payments
Q: Is there a formula for the total amount of funding an applicant could receive?
A: Family child care homes and family group homes are eligible to receive up to $10,000 for their project plan. Center-based locations may receive up to $10,000 per classroom.
Q: What can I use funds for?
A: The grant is for facility maintenance and improvements to include minor renovations that do not meet the definition of major renovation at 45 CFR 98.2, and costs associated with direct services for child care services. Examples of allowable costs include, but are not limited to, the purchase of furniture, supplies, or necessary equipment for new classrooms or child care spaces. A few examples of minor renovations include upgrading the kitchen to add safe electrical outlets and fix plumbing fixtures, repainting walls with a non-toxic paint, renovating and updating a bathroom (e.g., sink, faucet, toilet, etc.) to ensure age-appropriateness and child safety, installing rails and ramps that are accessible to individuals with disabilities, updating a sidewalk to provide a safe pathway for children, building or updating a playground, replacing fire sprinklers, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detection systems, replacing windows or doors, completing a minor roof repair, removing non-load bearing walls to create additional space for social distancing, or investing in other minor renovations in order to expand available child care slots, payroll and personnel costs.
Q: Can this grant be used to hire more staff?
A: Payroll and personnel costs may be allowable based on project proposals. This includes those for W-2 employees, including yourself, to hire and pay for staff salaries, wages, and benefits that are needed to support implementation of the grant project.
Q: Is there anything I can’t spend funding on?
A: Applicants cannot use these grant funds to purchase or lease land, buildings, or undertake the construction of new buildings or any major renovations. A major renovation includes (1) structural changes to the foundation, roof, floor, exterior or load bearing walls of a facility, or the extension of a facility to increase its floor area; or (2) extensive alteration of a facility such as to significantly change its function and purpose, even if such renovation does not include a structural change.
Q: When will I receive my payment?
A: Applicants will receive funding in two payments. Their first payment, 80% of the total award, will be issued up to 4 weeks from application approval. The remaining 20% payment will be disbursed upon completion of award monitoring.
Q: How long do I have to spend the funds?
A: Grant recipients must spend their funds within 90 days of receipt.
Documenting Expenses, Reporting, and Monitoring
Q: Do I have to report what I spend my funds on?
A: As part of the terms and conditions of receiving funding through CRECER New Mexico’s grant program, all funding recipients are required to complete a monitoring process. This process will be conducted after receipt of the first payment or 80% of the total award. This process will require a short survey and documentation of expenses covered by the grant. Recipients who fail to respond to monitoring requests may not be eligible to receive their second payment. Recipients will also be required to complete a reporting survey after receiving their second payment (the remaining 20% of total award). No documentation will be required as part of the reporting process. Failure to comply with required monitoring and reporting may result in recoupment of funds or affect eligibility of future funding initiatives through ECECD.
Q: What information will I need to provide?
A: Applicants will be asked to complete a brief survey about their experience and project implementation. During the monitoring process, applicants will be asked to provide documentation of their spending.
Q: I’m not sure what to provide. Where can I go for help?
A: Information can be found in the Monitoring and Reporting guide. Please note that the grant monitoring team will be available to support you through the process and to answer any questions that you may have.