Opportunity Overview
Nebraska DHHS Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grant is an ongoing Child Care and Development Block Grant opportunity administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services. It supports new or expanding Nebraska child-care programs that add child-care slots available to families receiving Child Care Subsidy, including slots for infants, school-age children, and children with disabilities.
Funding
Awards are up to $5,000 for Family Child Care Home I/II programs and up to $10,000 for Child Care Centers. Applicants may request eligible equipment, qualifying start-up costs, and narrowly defined minor building modifications necessary for health, safety, licensing, accessibility, or capacity expansion. Major renovation is not permitted.
Application Cycle and Submission
Applications are accepted monthly. The current DHHS page states applications must be postmarked by the first of the month to be included in that month’s review cycle. The official RFA likewise requires mailed submission to DHHS Child Care Grants, P.O. Box 95026, Lincoln, NE 68509-5026, with an original and three copies. Because the controlling trigger is a postal postmark rather than an electronic closing clock, no deadline time zone applies.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include individuals, groups, qualifying community-based organizations, public and non-public schools, and existing child-care programs, including Family Child Care Home I/II programs and Child Care Centers. New applicants may be not-yet-licensed providers; expansion applicants must increase qualifying capacity or expand their license. Funded providers must maintain operations and Child Care Subsidy participation for three consecutive years.
Required Application Components
The current RFA requires a signed application, community needs assessment, community and program-quality support letters, program description, business plan and narrative, budget and budget narrative, two estimates for any single item over $100, required SAM/Unique Entity ID and citizenship forms, an Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, W-9 and payment documentation, and other supporting materials specified in the RFA. Nonprofit centers or community agencies must include applicable 501(c)(3) documentation.
Allowable and Restricted Uses
Current DHHS allowable-cost guidance includes eligible safety equipment, child and classroom equipment, learning and STEM materials, outdoor play equipment, approved minor building modifications, qualifying training, and limited start-up costs. Grant funds do not cover taxes, shipping, major renovations, buildings or land, vehicles, surveillance systems, computers and other listed non-essential equipment, general administrative fees, or other items on the current non-allowable list.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 74/100. This is a durable Nebraska early-childhood and school-age capacity opportunity with monthly review cycles, clear official forms, and a direct equipment/capacity pathway for eligible providers and schools.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The current allowable-cost guidance does not establish a legitimate connected clinical-device or telehealth procurement path. Dr. Miltie is not a direct eligible applicant or vendor-response party under this provider grant.
Official source: Nebraska DHHS Child Care Grants and the current Child Care Start-Up and Expansion Grant RFA.