Debbie Antone Memorial Fund

The Debbie Antone Memorial Fund was established to honor the work and passion of a beloved Michigan AEYC staff member and early childhood advocate who lost her battle to COVID-19. Throughout her life, Debbie was passionate about the critical importance of supporting family childcare providers. Her commitment to excellence in her own family childcare program, her work as a Michigan 4C Association staff member and as a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor for Michigan AEYC were also inspirations. Through the Debbie Antone Memorial Fund, Michigan AEYC will continue her legacy by providing recognition, encouragement and support for Michigan Early Childhood Educators in licensed home-based programs.

The Debbie Antone Memorial Fund provides grants selected from proposals submitted by Early Childhood Educators in a licensed family or group home childcare program in Michigan. Proposals should focus on one or more of the following areas that Debbie worked continuously to support: Professional development and/or physical resources/materials to enhance literacy, dramatic play and/or outdoor environments.

Application Requirements and Guidelines

The application must be submitted electronically by 11:59 pm on November 30, 2022.

 Proposal Guidelines

• All grant requests must be from a licensed home-based program in Michigan in good standing with Child Care Licensing Bureau of Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
• All grant requests must focus on one or more of the following areas: Professional development and/or resources/materials to enhance literacy, dramatic play and/or outdoor environments.
• Two people will each be awarded a grant of $500 or less.
• In addition to the financial support from the grant, a one-year membership to NAEYC/Michigan AEYC will be provided.  After you have enjoyed the benefits of membership for one year, we hope you will continue to be a member of Michigan AEYC.
• Proposed project must:
  • Be submitted by the licensee of a home-based program in Michigan (either Family Child Care or Group Home Child Care Owner)
  • Focus on one or both of the following:
    • Continuing professional development for yourself and/or staff (Michigan AEYC, NAEYC, or MiRegistry approved professional development opportunities only.)
    • Physical resources/materials to enhance literacy, dramatic play and/or outdoor environments
  • Demonstrate the relationship between the request and two of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Family Child Care Competency Standards.  How will the professional development or the materials you purchase allow you to better meet the competencies?
    • To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
    • To advance physical and intellectual competence
    • To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
    • To establish positive and productive relationships with families
    • To ensure a well-run purposeful program that is responsive to participant needs
    • To maintain a commitment to professionalism
  • Show budget requirements
    • Materials to be purchased must be individually described and priced in the budget request
    • Requests of funds for ongoing operation of existing programs or a project previously funded by this grant will not be considered.
    • Debt incurred by any applicants is the sole responsibility of those applicants.
• Current Michigan AEYC Governing Board members or employees may not apply for the Debbie Antone Memorial Fund Award.
• A final report will be due within one year after the award is given.  This report will include:
  • A reflective description of how the grant impacted the awardee and the program
  • A breakdown of all expenditures including receipts
  • A “spotlight” of the project for Michigan AEYC advertisements (website, newsletters, social media, annual conference, etc.) may also be requested

Selection Process

• Each proposal is evaluated by the Awards Committee using a rubric.
• Recommendations of the Awards Committee are made to the Michigan AEYC Governing Board for its review and approval.
• Proposals will be rated on the following criteria:
  • Meeting the requirements of the grant.
  • Description of grant applicant and applicant’s program.
  • Overview/description of how the applicant will use the funds and why it is important to receive this grant.
  • What brought you to this point of requesting grant funds for this project?  How will it improve the quality of your program?
  • Description of how children/families will benefit from this award
  • How the request supports your ability to implement the CDA Competency Standards
  • A complete and detailed budget

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

Applicant Information

• First name
• Last name
• Phone number
• Address (street, city, state, zip)
• Email
• Name of child care program
• License number of child care program
• Tell us about yourself and your program
  • Tell us about your education and experience in early childhood.
  • Tell us about the children/families enrolled in your program.
  • Tell us about your curriculum and what the children do during the day.

 Proposed Project Information

• Application focus (check one)
  • Professional Development
  • Resources to enhance literacy, dramatic play and/or outdoor environments
  • Both
• Tell us exactly what you will spend the grant monies on.  Give very specific brand names of items and/or professional development class(es).  Tell us why you want these things and how they fit into what you are currently doing in your program.
• Explain in detail how these items and/or professional development class(es) will benefit your children and/or families.  (For example: the development of children in one of the domains, family engagement, safe equipment, etc.)
• How will the request support your ability to implement the CDA Competencies?  Pick two of the competency standards and describe how your project will improve your own professional practice related to the standards you selected.
  • To establish and maintain a safe, healthy learning environment
  • To advance physical and intellectual competence
  • To support social and emotional development and to provide positive guidance
  • To establish positive and productive relationships with families
  • To Ensure a well-run, purposeful program responsive to participant needs
  • To maintain a commitment to professionalism
• Amount Requested
•  Complete the budget form and attach to the application prior to submitting.  You can click here to get the form.
• Applicant Signature

We are a 501(c)(3) early childhood non-profit in Michigan dedicated to supporting Michigan’s early childhood educators.