The Judy Center Grant program is a competitive grant program administered by the Division of Early Childhood at the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). It provides funding for local school systems to establish additional Judy Centers.

Grant funds must be used to serve children ages birth through five years of age and their families by providing comprehensive early care and education services to promote continuous improvement toward school readiness. Judy Centers must be located in communities with Title 1 schools or a school in a high-needs community (as designated by the Center for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index) and serve all children and families living within the catchment area of the school.

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is designed for local education agencies (LEAs) to establish new Judy Centers. Priority will be given to programs that establish a Judy Center:

• located in communities with Title 1 school; or
• located in a community designated as high-need as indicated by a score of 0.6 or above on the Center for Disease Control’s Social Vulnerability Index.

Note: Additional priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate a strong partnership between potential Judy Center locations and LEAs as demonstrated by each entity providing at least 50% of funding for Judy Center staff salaries (i.e. LEAs provide at least 50% in-kind funding).

When will the application be open?

March 30, 2022 through May 16, 2022 at 5:00pm.

How do I apply?

• Interested applicants must download the Judy Center Grant Application from the Judy Center webpage.
• Application package must include the Judy Center Grant Application (which includes a cover page signed in blue ink, project summary, projected enrollment and growth chart, Implementation Plan A, Implementation Plan B, and budget narrative) and all appendices.
• Applications must be submitted in pdf form by email to judycentergrants.msde@maryland.gov.

What if I need help with the application?

The MSDE will hold several customer service support sessions for interested applicants. During these sessions, MSDE personnel will provide an overview of the program, the requirements, the application, and answer any questions. To attend a virtual session, please use the links below:

• Thursday, Mar 31, 2022
  • Presentation
  • Recording
• Wednesday, Apr 6, 2022 
  • Presentation
  • Recording

Judy Centers - Program Renewals

     Established Judy Centers are eligible to renew their programs at the end of their grant period for another 3-year program. At this time, the following Judy Center sites are eligible for renewal starting on July 1, 2022:

• Cecil County - North East and Bay View
• Cecil County - Perryville and Bainbridge
• Frederick County - Lincoln
• Frederick County - Hillcrest
• Garrett County - BroadFord
• Harford County - Halls Cross Road
• Prince George's County - Hillcrest Heights
• Dorchester County - Maple

These Judy Centers must complete an electronic application to renew their programs. See the Grant Information Guide and Application above.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CUSTOMER SERVICE SUPPORT SESSIONS FOR INTERESTED APPLICANTS

During these sessions, MSDE personnel will provide an overview of the program, the requirements, and the proposal. To attend a virtual session, please click on the link. Each session will be limited to 1,000 participants. See options below:

Friday, May 13 · 10:00 – 11:30am 

      o Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ujh-vrcc-byv 

      o Or dial: (US) +1 321-804-6965 PIN: 891 154 510# 

● Monday, May 16 · 1:00 – 2:30pm 

      o Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ujh-vrcc-byv

      o Or dial: (US) +1 321-804-6965 PIN: 891 154 510#