Accessing Child Care Expansion and Sustainability Supports (ACCESS)

About

ACCESS is a partnership between Reinvestment Fund and Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), with funding from Vanguard Strong Start for Kids Program™. The program aims to increase the number of children receiving care in positive learning environments in Childcare Map (CC Map) persistent high-need neighborhoods by supporting STAR 1 and 2 providers with longstanding community backing to invest in their facilities and move up in the STARS system.  

The program aims to support 20 providers, who are actively engaged in quality improvement initiatives, over a three-year period by offering improvement supports (for 15 providers) and expansion supports (for 5 providers).  

In addition, the Coaching to Success (C2S) community of practice will be a free resource open to providers city-wide:  

Coaching to Success:  

• Providers who are interested in participating in a broader community of practice will be invited to participate in this peer learning group to connect to sustainable resources. 

STARS Movement Facility Grants – 3 Cohorts

There will be three cohorts throughout the program (2023 – 2025). These cohorts are open to licensed STAR 1 and 2 child care providers in Philadelphia involved in current quality improvement initiatives and looking to make facility improvements, such as purchasing additional furniture or completing minor renovations, at their existing site.  

• Application: The initial cohort in spring 2023 is open by referral from partner organizations only, and open to centers. Future cohorts will be open more broadly to organizations participating in Coaching 2 Success and may include Family and Group providers.  
• Planning Supports: Providers receive personalized facility scans to co-develop quality improvement/sustainability plans, and then, create a capital investment plan for a $25,000 capital grant. Cohort participants meet together regularly for peer learning.
• Capital Supports: Projects supported with capital grant and professionally monitored through construction inspection.  

Eligibility: 

• Licensed STAR 1 and 2 Child Care Centers in Philadelphia  
• Small business/nonprofits 
• In good standing with DHS 
• Open in community for 5+ years 
• Demonstrated strong community backing 
• Site ownership or lease for three years from funding 
• Never received Child Care Facility Fund  
• No business taxes owed or tax liens on property (if owned) 

Priority consideration will be given to sites in CC Map persistent high-need neighborhoods, and to centers with a licensed capacity of 40+.  

STARS Movement & Expansion Facility Grants – 1 Cohort 

The ACCESS program will support one cohort of five childcare providers looking to expand the number of children they serve as they move up in STARS. This cohort is open to licensed STAR 1 and 2 Child Care Center, Home and Group providers in Philadelphia involved in current quality improvement initiatives and looking to expand the number of children they serve either on-site or at a new site in center-based care.  

• Applications: The cohort will be selected in 2023 and encouraged by referral from partner organizations. Projects will be guided through an application process.
• Planning Supports and Guided Planning Phase: Providers are matched with consultants to receive one-on-one organizational planning supports, as well as up to $17,500 to cover predevelopment expenses (architect fees, permits, etc.) to ensure a successful and high-quality expansion project. 
• Capital Phase: Based on successful completion of the planning phase, providers will be eligible to receive capital grant awards of up to $400,000, based on project needs.  

Eligibility: 

• Licensed STAR 1 and 2 providers in Philadelphia (Child Care Centers and Family/Group providers moving to Center) 
• Small business/nonprofits
• Involved in current quality improvement initiatives
• In good standing with DHS
• Open in community for 5+ years
• Demonstrated strong community backing
• Project site identification and ownership or ability to lease through 12/31/33  
• On-site or new site expansions
• Expansion site in a CC Map persistent high-need neighborhood
• Never received Child Care Facility Fund
• No business taxes owed or tax liens on property (if owned)
• Strong business case for expansion – favorable enrollment and staffing plan

Priority consideration will be given to sites expanding to serve their current neighborhood, with a projected licensed capacity of 65+ at their site, and to projects on a shorter timeline.