RETENTION GRANT PORTAL

Welcome to the Childcare Community Task Force Application System. We are proud to consider strengthening your organization through Retention Grants and Training opportunities. The Retention Grants are competitive grants designed to focus, enhance and/or expand an organization’s existing programs and services; or as an investment in a project which is a critical enhancement to the mission of your childcare organization. Local training opportunities are to support the need for continuous education for our local providers.

IMPORTANT UPDATES TO RENTENTION GRANTS

Thanks to your incredible work from our local childcare providers, we’ve distributed retention grants and infant incentives to child care providers across Reno County. These funds have been critical in stabilizing the child care system, and we deeply appreciate everything you do for children and families in our community.

As we’ve communicated over the last six months, the Retention Grant program is coming to an end in 2026. The final quarter of eligibility is October–December 2025, with documentation due in January 2026 and final checks issued in February 2026.

In March we released several updates to this grant program designed to improve accountability, ensure fair distribution of funds, and maintain the integrity of this initiative.

VIEW UPDATES

Frequently asked questions

Training Reimbursement FAQs

Appreciation Incentives

Directory Accordions

Retention Grant Accordions

Retention Grant FAQs

Get Involved

If you are a home provider, United Way will issue a check directly to you, including any employees, for completed training hours at a rate of $15 per hour. Each provider and employee must report this income on their annual tax return.

Important: Home providers must have a W-9 form on file with United Way in order to receive training incentive payments. Checks will not be issued until the W-9 is received.

Please send your completed W-9 form to:

United Way of Reno County 111 N Walnut, Suite B Hutchinson, KS 67501 Phone: 620-669-9329 Fax: 620-669-9320

Be sure to include a note or subject line stating “Child Care Provider.”

Click here to download the W-9 Form

If you work at a child care center, the process differs slightly. United Way will issue a single check to your center for the total training hours of all attending employees. The center is responsible for compensating each employee at $15 per hour and for managing any necessary tax withholdings according to Department of Labor requirements. An additional 15% administrative fee will be applied to cover processing costs.

Employees attending training sessions can expect to receive $15 per hour for completed training time. Regardless of whether you work for a center, school, or home-based program, it is your employer's responsibility to compensate you for these hours. If you work for a center, home, or school outside of Reno County but reside in Reno County, a check will be issued directly to you. A W-9 form must be on file for any check to be processed.

Training certificates will be issued directly to attendees at the end of the training or sent via email or mail afterward. It is the attendee's responsibility to submit their training certificate to their center director or home provider.
All attendees are required to sign in at the beginning of each session to ensure accurate attendance records are maintained. Those who register but do not attend will not receive compensation or training certificates. Compensation and certificates will only be granted for hours completed.

HOW TO APPLY

All applicants are required to have or create an account to complete and submit your application. Keep your username and password handy so that you can "save a draft" and return to complete your submission. Also, your username and password will continue to be used for reporting and future applications.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Do not leave any blanks; enter N/A if not applicable.

Be sure to click "SAVE DRAFT" frequently as you will be able to return and work on the application as time permits. Be sure to click "SUBMIT" when completed. Once submitted, your application cannot be edited, however you will be sent a copy of your submission.

Apply Here

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Training Reimbursement FAQs

Appreciation Incentives

Directory Accordions

Retention Grant Accordions

Retention Grant FAQs

Get Involved

If you are a home provider, United Way will issue a check directly to you, including any employees, for completed training hours at a rate of $15 per hour. Each provider and employee must report this income on their annual tax return.

Important: Home providers must have a W-9 form on file with United Way in order to receive training incentive payments. Checks will not be issued until the W-9 is received.

Please send your completed W-9 form to:

United Way of Reno County 111 N Walnut, Suite B Hutchinson, KS 67501 Phone: 620-669-9329 Fax: 620-669-9320

Be sure to include a note or subject line stating “Child Care Provider.”

Click here to download the W-9 Form

If you work at a child care center, the process differs slightly. United Way will issue a single check to your center for the total training hours of all attending employees. The center is responsible for compensating each employee at $15 per hour and for managing any necessary tax withholdings according to Department of Labor requirements. An additional 15% administrative fee will be applied to cover processing costs.

Employees attending training sessions can expect to receive $15 per hour for completed training time. Regardless of whether you work for a center, school, or home-based program, it is your employer's responsibility to compensate you for these hours. If you work for a center, home, or school outside of Reno County but reside in Reno County, a check will be issued directly to you. A W-9 form must be on file for any check to be processed.

Training certificates will be issued directly to attendees at the end of the training or sent via email or mail afterward. It is the attendee's responsibility to submit their training certificate to their center director or home provider.
All attendees are required to sign in at the beginning of each session to ensure accurate attendance records are maintained. Those who register but do not attend will not receive compensation or training certificates. Compensation and certificates will only be granted for hours completed.

RETENTION GRANT PORTAL

Frequently asked questions

Home Providers

Child Care Centers

Employees

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

Home Providers

Child Care Centers

Employees

Additional Information