American Recovery Act (ARA) Increasing Child Care Supply in North Carolina
American Recovery Act (ARA) Increasing Child Care Supply in North Carolina supports colleges and universities with campus child care construction and renovation to expand care in storm-affected counties.
Funder: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Due Dates: October 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Optional intent to apply) | November 2, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Application)
Funding Amounts: Award amount determined by proposal and funding availability; funding period December 10, 2026–September 30, 2030
Summary: Supports campus child care construction and renovation to expand supply in North Carolina counties affected by Tropical Storms Helene and Debby.
Key Information: Limited to North Carolina universities and community colleges, with projects focused on NC Community College and UNC System campuses serving disaster-affected counties.
Description
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, through its Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), supports campus-based child care expansion as part of its American Relief Act supplemental disaster recovery efforts. The program funds construction of child care centers or renovation of existing campus buildings and child care centers to increase supply in counties affected by Tropical Storms Helene and Debby.
The initiative addresses an early care and education system weakened by longstanding challenges, the pandemic, and recent natural disasters. Campus centers are intended to help staff, students, and community members access child care while creating local employment. They also provide opportunities for students to gain experience through child care academies, apprenticeships, higher education degree programs, or high school career and technical education coursework.
