Many day care providers seeking financial support through the latest round of COVID relief funding passed last December await guidance from their state child care agency on how to apply for federal aid.
Depending on a center’s prioritized needs, those funds may be utilized for indoor air quality upgrades. Doing so can help curb transmission of the coronavirus and safeguard children, teachers, staff, and families from potentially harmful airborne pathogens and pollutants. For example Tiny Tots and Little Tykes Preschool and Child Care Center in Minnesota utilized 2020 state and federal funding to install an integrated ISO-Aire purification system that cleans the air throughout their classrooms and office space. According to Kathy Darrow, Assistant Director, Tiny Tots applied for a Minnesota Peacetime Grant several times before being approved. They partnered with ISO-Aire to install a fully integrated medical-grade purification system that pairs portable commercial units with a building-wide solution connected directly to the center’s HVAC system. The proven filtration components housed inside ISO-Aire models capture and destroy 99.99% of harmful aerosol particulates from viruses and bacteria as well as pollen, mold, dust, and VOCs.
An immediate benefit of this air quality investment at Tiny Tots has been a reduction in seasonal transmittable diseases such as strep throat, colds, pink eye, the flu, and RSV.
“This year, one silver lining has been we’re reporting lower numbers linked to those traditional germs and seasonal bugs,” Darrow explained. “In part, it’s the purified air paired with other preventative precautions in place, such as mask wearing and limited exposure. We’ve also heard positive feedback regarding air quality from staff members who suffer from asthma and allergies; they’re experiencing fewer respiratory symptoms and using their inhalers less frequently. Overall, the air throughout our schools is noticeably improved and fresher than before.”
A few details below may help providers know where to turn as government agencies establish the 2021 grant distribution process:
The approved federal package includes $10 billion in what is called the Child Care and Development Block Grant funds, known as CCDBG;
In reviewing applications, state child care agencies will follow federal guidelines to determine what the grant monies can be used for;
For state-specific information, providers should contact their state child care agency, the same organization that issues child care licenses;
This link outlines how the $10 billion in relief funding may be allocated on a state-by-state basis.
If your early childhood facility is looking to improve the indoor air quality in your school, classrooms and/or center, contact ISO-Aire for an assessment. Our units have also been used to provide a safe space inside a child care isolation room, and other school partners have installed ISO-Aire units in lunch rooms, gymnasiums, libraries, community gathering spaces, and performance halls. We’re available to answer any questions about which type of medical-grade filtration solution may be best-suited for your space. ISO-Aire delivers proven mitigation strategies that exceed the minimum requirements for indoor air quality established by ASHRE and the CDC.