(1) The purpose of the best beginnings Quality Child Care Mini Grants program is to improve the quality of care offered to young children attending licensed or registered day care, by awarding funds for the purpose of:

(a) replacing or acquiring equipment;

(b) purchasing developmentally appropriate toys or supplies;

(c) assisting new providers with purchasing child care liability insurance;

(d) assisting providers with costs associated with regulatory requirements;

(e) hiring substitute care, to enable the provider or their staff to attend early childhood training conferences; or

(f) to complete other pre-approved projects that improve the overall quality of care offered in the facility.

(2) To be eligible for a mini grant, applicants must:

(a) be either licensed as a child care center or registered as a group or family child care home; or

(b) be participating in the early childhood career development practitioner registry.

(3) To be eligible for a mini grant, applicants shall not:

(a) be presently subject to a licensing or registration corrective action with the Quality Assurance Division (QAD) Child Care Licensing Program; or

(b) be a contractor participating in the best beginnings infant/toddler demonstration project or best beginnings provider grants program.

(4) Day care centers may apply for a maximum grant amount of $1,500. Group and family child care homes may apply for a maximum grant amount of $1,000.

(5) The application and award process is as follows:

(a) Applications are accepted on a form provided by the department at any time during the year. Applicants must include with the application form, proof of participation in the early childhood practitioner registry.

(b) Awards are made quarterly. The deadline for consideration is the last day of the quarter immediately preceding the quarter in which the award is made.

(c) Notice of acceptance or denial will be sent within 30 days of the closing date for the quarter.

(d) Mini grants are valid for payment for 12 months from the award date.

(6) Payment procedures for the mini grants are as follows:

(a) Awardees must request payment of a mini grant on a billing form provided by the department. The department will issue payments as a one-time reimbursement. Receipts for approved expenses must be attached to the billing form. Receipts for purchases made under the mini grant must be dated after the award date, but within 12 months of the date of the award.

(7) Awards are subject to the availability of funds.