Recognizing the need for increased access to high-quality early learning programming, City of Providence Mayor Jorge O. Elorza partnered with LISC RI Child Care and Early Learning Facilities Fund to administer $610,900 in facility improvement grants and technical assistance to Providence based child care providers for the planning and renovation of physical space during the period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.
Grants were provided to improve and/or expand physical space –both indoor and outdoor -with priority given to supporting compliance with existing facility-related child care regulations and remediating areas which pose significant risks to children’s health and safety.
This report (which can be downloaded as a PDF by clicking here) is a summary of the program and the impact of that first wave of investment. To view a slideshow in full screen, double click the image below. You can also watch a presentation of the report in a recorded Facebook Live session with Mayor Jorge Elorza.
City of Providence Early Learning Facilities Improvement Grants Provider Spotlight: Emma Villa
In year one, home-based provider Emma Villa successfully applied for a capital grant, working with LISC technical assistance providers as well as a playground designer and a contractor to utilize City grant funds to identify health and safety hazards, prioritize improvements, and complete a renovation project including removal of unsafe equipment and fencing, improvements to surfacing and drainage, and installing new fencing and play opportunities. You can view a video of the renovation portion of this project and see the completed project in the video below. Well done to our wave 1 grantees!
For questions, please contact the LISC Rhode Island Child Care Facilities Fund team at riccelff@lisc.org.