Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) has been awarded a $2.5 million Early Head Start grant to provide services in partnership with northwest Ohio family home childcare providers.

The funding will allow GLCAP to serve 88 infants and toddlers newborn to 3 years old in Ottawa, Lucas, Sandusky, Seneca and Wood counties starting in summer 2019. Early Head Start provides no-cost childcare for families at or below 100% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (e.g. $25,750 per year/family of four).

Home childcare providers must pass health and safety screenings and complete certification with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start in order to qualify as an Early Head Start partner. GLCAP will support home childcare provider partners with training and technical assistance throughout the duration of the grant.

GLCAP currently provides Early Head Start services at its Stricker Family Development Center in Fremont, and in partnership with multiple center-based childcare centers in its service region. Partnering with home childcare providers is a new venture for GLCAP that will allow more options for low-income children and families in need of Early Head Start services.

“Quality childcare is expensive for all families, and childcare costs affect low-income families the most,” GLCAP Child Development Director Jacquie Wells said. “Expanding access and allowing more options for low-income families in need of childcare through Early Head Start home childcare providers will further the opportunities we are able to offer our families.”

For more information on GLCAP Early Head Start, call 1-800-775-9767 or visit www.glcap.org/earlyheadstart.