What is it?
United Way of North Idaho's ALICE Child Care Scholarship is a pool of funds created through grants and fundraising to support families who are attending school and/or employed and need assistance paying for the care of pre-K and school-age children.
Who is it for?
Scholarships are available to families with children who are employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.) and are paying for at least one child in a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program.
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Information for Families
Scholarships are available to families with children who meet the following criteria:
- Living in any of Idaho's five northern counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties
- Pre-tax income at or below 80% Area Median Income:
- Employed and/or enrolled in school or a job training program (includes local community colleges, technical programs, high school completion, etc.)
- Paying for at least one child in a licensed early care and education program or out-of-school care program.
The following documents are required as part of your application:
- Copy of paystubs and/or other income documentation for past 30 days
- Current copy of course schedule--students ONLY
- State-issued ID plus proof of residency. Can be any of the following:
- Current utility bills in your name
- Lease or letter from landlord
- Employer verification of address
- Proof of Idaho Child Care Assistance Program (ICCP) status:
- Denial letter or benefits letter: contact Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for a copy
- If you have not applied to ICCP, please fill out the application by calling 1-877-456-1233 (toll free) OR visit your local Idaho Department of Health and Welfare field office.
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- ID Card
- Household Income
- Housing Costs
- Current Monthly Expenses
- If applicable, Immigration Status
- If you have chosen NOT to complete an ICCP application, please provide an explanation as to your decision in the application.
- Be prepared to provide this information with the application:
- Scan and email supporting documents to Shelby@UWNorthIdaho.org
Families can apply for scholarships online or by scanning and emailing a hard copy.
Deadline to apply is the 10th of each month.
Scholarships are reviewed and award decisions made every other week on Fridays.
Click here for the online application
Click here to download a hard copy of the application
Scan and email application and documentation to Shelby@UWNorthIdaho.org
Still have questions? Please reach out!
Keri Cederquist, Community Impact Director
(208) 667-8112 ext 108, Keri@UWNorthIdaho.org
Shelby Walsh, Early Learning Coordinator
(208) 667-8112 ext 103, Shelby@UWNorthIdaho.org
The selection committee meets once per month on the third Friday. You will be notified via email and a hard copy mailed to the address listed on your application if requested. The selection committee and community partners will make every effort to connect you with additional resources should your application be denied.
You will receive a welcome packet which includes:
- The amount awarded per month, the disbursement process, and timeline
- Any documents to be signed and returned to United Way
The scholarship amount is determined based on applicant need and funds available. The applicant’s child care provider will complete a W-9 and return it to the Early Care and Education Task Force. We will verify rates and attendance with the provider each month and send a one-time check directly to the provider to cover the total sum and duration of your awarded scholarship. If you un-enroll from the current provider, please contact us to have your scholarship moved to a new provider or to reapply.
Information for supporters
One of United Way's impact goals is to ensure that all children have nurturing early experiences and enter school ready to learn. To do this, we build public-private partnerships to provide more affordable, high-quality child care for working families in our region. This matters to children and working families today, and for the future of our communities.
The COVID-19 crisis devastated the child care industry. Many child care businesses closed to follow public health guidance, leading to lost revenue for weeks and months at a time. Low wages for teachers means a shortage of care options for working families. Child care is essential infrastructure to a healthy workforce and economy
This scholarship fund was created through the City of Coeur d'Alene Community Development Block Grant, the Innovia Foundation, Idaho Community Foundation, Pita Pit, Hecla, the Avista Foundation, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and United Way's Ride for ALICE fundraiser.
Representatives from United Way of North Idaho Early Learning Collaborative review applications and supplemental documentation to recommend awards. Personally-identifying information is kept confidential.
The selection committee and community partners make every effort to connect applicants with additional resources should their application be denied.
Childcare is critical for employee satisfaction and participation in the workforce. United Way of North Idaho is in the unique position to give local employers an opportunity to provide childcare assistance to their employees through the UWNI childcare scholarships (at no cost to your business).
The first step for businesses is to conduct a survey to understand employee needs. The quick win is to provide access to scholarships for employees so benefits can start immediately. We will provide the survey, a link to scholarships, and for a limited time, FUNDING for all employee households earning up to 100% Area Median Income. For 2022, that is $82,200 for a family of four.
Qualifying employees could receive up to 12 months of childcare assistance. Scholarship applications are due by the 10th of each month. We feel this offer to employees along with a request to complete the survey will help jumpstart the effort as well as help you gather information about the need in your company.
Ready to get started? Send an email to your employees sharing the scholarship application and survey.
Survey: https://lnkd.in/gpdtFYPK
Application: https://lnkd.in/gV5ama_2
Learn more about offering child care as a workforce benefit.
The first five years of a child’s life present a critical window for learning and growth and this is exactly the time when quality early childhood education makes a profound difference in a child’s life. Yet this pivotal window of opportunity is missed when quality early childhood education is unavailable or unaffordable.
Individuals, businesses and grants are what allow us to distribute funds and help local families stay afloat while they navigate the current economy.
You can help keep this program going by donating here.