Child Care Associates and Tarrant County announce a Request for Applications for Infant and Toddler Infrastructure Expansion

(FORT WORTH, TX) – Child Care Associates (CCA), in partnership with Tarrant County, has opened a Request for Applications (RFA) for a multi-year effort to expand access to early education and care.

This Early Head Start infrastructure expansion opportunity is funded through Tarrant County’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds, authorized through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“This is a transformational opportunity for early childhood development,” said Tarrant County Precinct 1 Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks. “I am excited that Tarrant County and CCA together will work to bring Early Head Start services to some of our highest need neighborhoods. Bringing high quality early education and care services for infants and toddlers of families who need those services is one of the greatest returns on investment we can provide and is a solid step toward the elimination of generational poverty in Tarrant County.”

The RFA is open to political subdivisions such as cities and school districts. The contribution of land and/or an existing building is a prerequisite to be considered for this program. The contribution may be in the form of gifting the land or ensuring the land is eligible for a no or low cost, long-term ground lease or facility lease for a minimum of 30 years. Projects must be in Tarrant County.

Proposals must meet the following requirements:

•     Minimum 12,200 square feet facility
•     Minimum of eight classrooms and one indoor play area, each ranging from 360 square feet to 1800 square feet. (in addition to other Early Head Start and child care regulations).
•     Parking to accommodate a minimum of 22 spaces
•     Building will need to be eligible for an Education or Education/Institutional Certificate of Occupancy

“We are thrilled that Tarrant County has responded to this partnership with CCA to build up Early Head Start access in high need communities,” remarked Kara Waddell, President-CEO of Child Care Associates. “Tarrant County today has 24 zip codes identified as child care deserts… and the annual cost of infant care can be higher than one year of public university in Texas. This is a win for children and families, especially families facing economic hardships.”

Applications will be accepted beginning April 6, 2023 with an informational webinar planned for April 11, 2023 at 2 p.m. For additional information, please visit the CCA website.

About Child Care Associates

Child Care Associates (CCA) is one of the largest child development nonprofits in North Texas and has served more than half a million young children over the past 54 years. Through Head Start, Early Head Start, child care, PreK and Child Care Management Services, CCA delivers quality early education programs to children and families of disadvantaged means, offsets the high cost of child care for lower income working families and increases the quality of child care delivered across Tarrant County and North Texas.  Visit Head Start & Early Head Start programs for eligibility and enrollment information. For more information, visit Child Care Associates.