Federal Grant Award Summary

The North Dakota Department of Human Services received a $6.76 million Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Discretionary award from the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families (CFDA 93.575) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Under this award, the state lead agency will provide child care subsidies—primarily through vouchers or certificates—to eligible low-income families throughout North Dakota, enabling access to affordable child care services. Additionally, the grant supports quality improvement initiatives for both subsidized and unsubsidized child care providers and programs across the state.

The award requires the North Dakota Department of Human Services to develop and implement a three-year Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) plan that outlines intended use of block grant funds, establishes payment rate policies, implements sliding fee scales, and coordinates service delivery with other federal, state, and local child care and early childhood development programs. As the designated state lead agency, NDHHS will likely sub-award portions of these funds to local government entities, nonprofit organizations, tribes, and community-based child care providers to ensure comprehensive, localized service delivery. The department must comply with all requirements of the CCDBG Act, including conducting public hearings and maintaining financial accountability under 2 CFR Part 200 audit requirements.