Child care professional bonus submissions due April 30

Delaware child care professionals now can submit to receive $700 for a second round of direct payments from the Delaware Department of Education. The state is using its federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to pay for this second round of bonuses.

The aim is to show appreciation for and incentivize retention in the critical workforce of programs licensed by the Delaware Department of Education’s Office of Child Care Licensing. Currently employed professionals who are at least 18 years of age who work directly with children or provide any level of on-site administrative support for at least 20 hours per week for at least 90 days are eligible.

“Child care professionals are critical to the learning and development of our children, and their work is critical to our state’s economy, allowing the children’s family members to fill other essential roles in our workforce,” said Mark Holodick, secretary of education. “Licensed child care programs are struggling to attract and retain professionals in today’s competitive labor market, and we are pleased we are able to provide this second payment to support the professionals committed to our youngest learners.”

The DOE has expanded its secure data collection system, which will be used to collect employee information and verify eligibility. A feature now included allows professionals who applied in Round 1 to save time with a pre-populated application. All submissions are due by Sunday, April 30.

After being verified, licensed child care professionals can expect to receive their payments in up to 10 days if they choose direct deposit or up to 30 days if they choose to receive a check by U.S. mail.

To apply, licensed child care professionals can go to de.gov/childcarebonus.