In a significant boost for child care and nonprofit organizations within Boulder County, $7.8 million in grants have been allocated to support the essential services they provide to the community. Facing the one-two punch of rising operational costs on one side and diminishing funding sources on the other, these grants come as a crucial lifeline. The funds were allocated through the Survive and Thrive program, utilizing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds specifically set to aid in recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The support will be dispersed among various groups, with licensed child care providers receiving $3,990,000, nonprofit safety net organizations getting $3,600,000, and unlicensed Family, Friend, and Neighbor providers being allocated $210,000. The application phase, which began on February 24 and spanned five weeks, saw Boulder County Human Services staff diligently review and process a myriad of applications throughout April to get aid where it's most needed.
These grants aim to address the ongoing struggles that these local entities face. "Licensed child care programs and nonprofit organizations play a vital role in supporting Boulder County residents – especially during times of financial uncertainty," Boulder County Commissioner Claire Levy said, as obtained by Boulder County News. "These providers continue to face rising costs and increased demand, even as other funding sources decline. Survive and Thrive grants are helping them stay open, serve more people, and reduce barriers to support for families and individuals."
The timing of these grants aligns with the decrease in other COVID-19 relief options. "The last of the ARPA dollars couldn’t come at a better time," commented Matt Eldred, President and CEO of TLC Learning Center, and a recipient of the Survive and Thrive grant. Jack Kim, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Boulder County, also a grant recipient, told Boulder County News, "Survive and Thrive will allow us to keep operating at increased capacity for the foreseeable future. Our free support groups and educational programs can now grow to meet rising demand, helping more people feel supported, connected, and less alone in their mental health journeys."
