2023-24 Child Care Complex Needs Fund is now closed. The application closed at 5 p.m. PST on Jan. 3, 2024.

Child Care Complex Needs Fund

The Fair Start for Kids Act, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021, directs DCYF to create a Child Care Complex Needs Fund for child care. 

The fund is intended to promote inclusive, least-restrictive environments, and support providers serving children with developmental delays, disabilities, behavioral needs, and/or other unique needs.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Child Care Complex Needs Fund is awarded through a competitive-grant process. Submitting an application does not guarantee that an eligible provider will receive an award. Eligible applicants may only receive Complex Needs Funds once each state fiscal year. 

Eligible providers include:

  • Open licensed, certified, or certified-for-payment-only child care providers.*
  • License-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers who have served at least one child on subsidy in four of the past six months, or two of the past three months and claim for subsidy through the Social Service Payment System (SSPS) at time of application.

*Licensed providers who are serving ECEAP slots are not eligible for the Child Care Complex Needs Fund. Instead, they should access Complex Needs Funds through their ECEAP contractor. 

To be eligible, providers must have children currently enrolled in their care who have behavioral needs, developmental delays, disabilities, or other unique needs.

DCYF Child Care Complex Needs Fund Manual

Get more information about eligibility criteria and prioritization:

English | Spanish | Somali

If you are an Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractor, email dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov to learn more.

How much can a provider apply for?

Provider TypeMinimum AmountMaximum Amount
Open licensed, certified, or certified-for-payment-only child care providers$5,000$100,000
Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers$100$2,000

Once the application period has ended, grants will be scored and prioritized using the Complex Needs Fund Scoring Guide.

Based on data from the first round of applications, DCYF may adjust award levels and prioritization for future application periods.

Grant funds may be used for:Grant funds may not be used for:
  • Adding staff members or increasing current staff hours
  • Therapeutic services
  • Facility improvements to comply with ADA accessibility requirements or behavioral needs
  • Supportive and adaptive materials and equipment
  • Capital expenses such as major construction or renovation projects
  • Support to sites other than the licensed or certified site to which the funds were granted
  • Travel expenses including hotels, rental cars, airfare
  • Purchasing a vehicle
  • General operating costs
  • Review the list of ineligible items in the grant manual appendices

How does a provider apply?

All providers are required to have a WA Compass Provider Portal account before they can complete the Child Care Complex Needs Fund application.

Providers will log into the WA Compass Provider Portal, navigate to the Grant Information tab, select Current Grants, and select the DCYF Complex Needs Fund application. The provider will answer a series of questions and then submit the application.

Complex Needs Fund Application Preview and Question Guide

Preview the application questions:

English | Spanish | Somali 

DCYF Child Care Complex Needs Fund Manual

Get more information about accessing the application:

English | Spanish | Somali

DCYF Complex Needs Fund Application Step-by-Step Guide

Get more information about the application steps:

English | Spanish | Somali 

Where to Find Assistance

Application Questions

If you have questions about a grant application, the timeline of a grant, or other questions specific to these grants, email dcyf.childcaregrants@dcyf.wa.gov.

ECEAP Complex Needs Fund

ECEAP and/or Birth-3 ECEAP contractors may apply for additional funds to support children with developmental delays, differing abilities, or challenging behaviors due to complex trauma. The ECEAP Complex Needs Fund (CNF) supports children currently enrolled in care at an ECEAP site (licensed slot or ECEAP slot).

Who is eligible?

  • Applicants must be current B-3 ECEAP and/or ECEAP contractors.
  • Individual sites serving ECEAP slots may only apply through their ECEAP contractor.
  • Application must clearly show funds will support children with developmental delays, disabilities, or challenging behaviors due to complex trauma.
  • The CNF is for children with complex needs who are currently enrolled in ECEAP or Birth-3 ECEAP, or who are enrolled in a site that is blended with ECEAP and licensed child care.

Questions?

If you are an Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractor or Birth-3 ECEAP contractor, email dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov to learn more about the ECEAP Complex Needs Fund.

If you are a licensed provider who serves ECEAP slots, please contact your ECEAP contractor about the ECEAP Complex Needs Fund.