20 Jan 2022

NJ Workforce Registry Announces $1,000 Hiring and Retention Bonus Grant – apply by Mon Jan 31

UPDATE: click here to watch grant ‘how to’ videos

For Child Care Center Staff, click here to download ‘Preparing for the $1,000 Hiring and Retention Bonus Grants‘ (English and Spanish) (PDF)

For Family Child Care Providers, click here to download ‘Preparing for the $1,000 Hiring and Retention Bonus Grant Application‘ (English and Spanish) (PDF)

Hiring and Retention Bonus Grants are coming soon to help recruit new staff into the child care workforce and to reward and retain current staff.

Funded with the Child Care Revitalization Fund signed into law by Governor Murphy and the federal American Rescue Plan Act Grant, these grants will be issued from the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Family Development (DFD).

DFD is hosting instructional webinars on the grant application. We’ll go over step-by-step how to fill out the application. Dates and times for the webinars are listed below. The webinars will be recorded and posted on www.ChildCareNJ.gov. 

If you are a child care center provider, your program may be eligible for these grants if you:

  • Are open and operating a licensed child care center;
  • Are in compliance with federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) health and safety requirements (criminal background check and health and safety trainings); and
  • Are in good standing with New Jersey’s Licensing, Manual of Requirements.

Child care center staff are eligible for a $1,000 bonus, if they: 

  • Make $50,000 or less a year;
  • Were newly hired or are a current employee;
  • Are responsible for directly working with children (care, supervision or instructing); and
  • Are registered in the Workforce Registry through NJCCIS (New Jersey Child Care Information System).

Family child care providers may be eligible, if they are:

  • A registered Family Child Care Provider;
  • In compliance with federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) health and safety requirements (criminal background check and health and safety trainings);
  • In good standing with New Jersey’s Registration, Manual of Requirements; and
  • Make $50,000 or less a year.

*A Spanish version of the family child care provider application will be available soon.

However, there are several things you can do to prepare for these grants. Make sure:

  • You are associated with your employer under the “Work Experience” panel (You will not be able to update your profile until your employment is confirmed);
  • Your latest employment start date is listed;
  • Your salary is current; and
  • Your title is correct.

How-To Videos and Documents

Child Care Center Staff

Licensed Child Care Providers

Family Child Care Providers – English

Family Child Care Providers – Spanish

Prior Webinar Dates

Child Care Center Staff (Download Preparing for the Grant Instructions)

Licensed Child Care Providers (Download Preparing for the Grant Instructions)

English Family Child Care Providers (Download Preparing for the Grant Instructions)

Spanish Family Child Care Providers (Download Preparing for the Grant Instructions)

The webinars will be recorded and posted on www.ChildCareNJ.gov

Deadline to apply: Monday, January 31, 2022

If you need additional help updating your Professional Profile, contact customer service at 1-800-332-6512.