Licensed Collier County childcare providers, and county parks and recreation programs have an opportunity to apply for COVID-19 relief funding through the CollierCARES program. The application portal for licensed childcare providers opened on Monday, August 10, and closes at noon on Monday, August 24, 2020. Applicants should apply online at www.CollierFLCARES.com.

Collier County government has allocated $5 million out of the $67 million available for COVID-19 relief funding on a first come, first qualified basis. Each applicant will be reviewed for eligibility. Applicants may opt to receive a Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kit from the County.

Relief funding must be used on incurred expenses related to COVID-19 since March 1, or to support new COVID-19 related programming and supplies through December 30, 2020. Some examples of allowable expenditures include:
• Facility change to accommodate social distancing requirements
• Additional personnel
• Sanitization/cleaning

Applicants should be prepared to provide the following documentation:
• Invoices and proof of payment for incurred expenses

• Tax ID number
• Sunbiz registration
• Copy of operating license
• Proof of Collier County operation
• Current and prior year operating budget
• Business financials, including IRS tax return and bank statements
• DUNS number, if applicable
• SAM.gov registration

Please see the online application for complete information.

Applications for individual assistance with rent, mortgage, electric, and childcare open at 8:00 a.m. on August 17 and close at noon on August 31, 2020. Applications for small business relaunch and rehire grants will be available at 8:00 a.m. on August 31 and will close at noon on September 14, 2020.

Food banks and pantries should reach out to the Community Foundation of Collier County for assistance opportunities.

More information is available at www.CollierFLCARES.com. Interested persons will also be able to sign up for alerts as application portals open and as the deadline approaches.

For general information about the CollierCARES program, call 239-252-8999 or dial 311 within Collier County.