The child care industry of Guam is at a very volatile state due to impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, putting severe restrictions on occupancy levels within the child daycare setting, as well as low attendance by families due to fear of putting their children in the daycare setting because of the potential of catching the Coronavirus. The current occupancy and attendance levels (20% to 50%) within the Guam child care centers, is placing child care providers in a precarious situation, where they are struggling to meet their minimal operational needs to stay open or are at the verge of shutting down. These child care centers/providers play a critical role in providing child care for Guam families, so that parents of these children using these child care services, are able to work, go to school, and be contributing members of the community.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) made available one-time supplemental funding geared at stabilizing this fragile child care market with a focus on rebuilding a stronger child care system that supports the development and learning needs of children, meets parents’ needs and preferences with equal access to high-quality child care, and supporting a professionalized workforce that is fairly and appropriately compensated for the essential skilled work that they do. The ARP child care stabilization program requires that the stabilization program funds be issued to qualified and eligible child care providers to cover operational expenses as a way to stabilize these fragile child care industry and the many small businesses (i.e. qualified child care centers) that comprises the child care market.

To assist these childcare centers to recover and rebuild, the ARP Act appropriates $20,000,000.00 to direct aid. The establishment of the Guam Child Care Assistance Program-Stabilization 2021 (hereafter referred to as “CAPS2021”) will be administered by the Guam Economic Development Authority (hereafter referred to as the “GEDA”) pursuant to Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero’s Executive Order (EO) 2021-28 executed on October 31, 2021.

To be eligible, early care and education programs must be:
  • A federal certified Child Care and Development Fund ("CCDF") Provider as verified by the Department of Public Health and Social Services ("DPHSS")
  • Meets applicable DPHSS health and safety requirements at the time of application including the completion of comprehensive background checks.
  • In good standing with Guam's regulations for licensed or registered care. To be considered in good standing for the purposes of this program, a program must be compliant with current regulations and may not be in an active repayment process or the subject of an active investigation or enforcement action by DPHSS.
  1. Afterschool programs at public or private schools
  2. At home childcare centers
  3. Businesses that were once open and are now permanently closed
Applications will be accepted via email to [email protected] beginning 8:00 a.m., November 19, 2021. The program application submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2021 and is subject to the availability of funds. Applications that are hand delivered to the drop box available at the GEDA office will not be reviewed until the next business day. Email submissions are highly encouraged.
*Additional information may be required of the applicant. INCOMPLETE SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT PROGRESS FURTHER IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.
  1. Completed and signed program application
  2. Completed and signed self-certification
  3. Applicant's current Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) license, Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS)
  4. Copy of 2019 and 2020 Guam Income Tax with attached schedule C showing expenses
  5. Current monthly revenue / expenses from July 2021 through September 2021
  6. Prospective 2022 monthly expense / Coronavirus related costs and/or renovations
  7. Copy of current commercial lease or mortgage statement
Award calculation takes into account the need to stabilize the child care industry which has been severely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. It is the first (1st) priority of GEDA to provide stability for the industry over the next six (6) months while the industry recovers by covering a portion of prospective expenses. Providers may use funds for facility maintenance and improvements of child care facilities. The second (2nd) priority is to assist Guam child care centers by providing reimbursement of past costs incurred after the declaration of the U.S. public health emergency on January 31, 2020 that have not already been covered by other grant programs. Also, includes one time expenses for previous or prospective renovations and improvements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The third (3rd) and final priority is to assist those centers that have seen significant revenue shortfalls in enrollment due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
  • BASE GRANT
    1. 80% of monthly prospective 2022 expenses, as verified by previously reported eligible expenses X six (6) months.
    2. 80% of COVID-19 related expenses not already covered by other grants since January 31, 2020 and one time expenses for previous or prospective renovations and improvements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • ADDITIVE
    1. Net Enrollment impact (December 2019 enrollment minus September 2021 enrollment) X Monthly Average cost of Child Care X six (6) months
Total award amount is based on the stated calculation and shall not exceed Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000.00) per business. Award will be based on information provided by the applicant only.
STEP 1
Download the grant application form found on the GEDA website at www.investguam.com/CAPS2021.
STEP 2
Submit the completed application form and all required documents via email to [email protected].
STEP 3
GEDA will provide a grant application number that will be posted on www.investguam.com/CAPS2021.
STEP 4
If received complete, application will proceed to STEP 5. If incomplete, a GEDA grant manager will post application status on www.investguam.com/CAPS2021 listing pending document(s).
STEP 5
Notice of CAPS 2021 Award will be issued via United States Postal Service.
STEP 6
If approved, the Guam Department of Administration (DOA) will issue grant award via check.