The state Department of Social Services awarded $10 million in federal grants to help child-care providers rebuild facilities in areas still recovering from two 2005 hurricanes.
Nine child day-care facilities in Orleans, St. Tammany and Calcasieu parishes have been identified to receive grant money.
Grant funding can only be used to acquire a site, purchase, renovate or construct a child care center and purchase items needed for operation including equipment and furnishings.
The funds are earmarked for facilities that accept state child-care assistance, which helps low-income families pay for child care while working, seeking work or attending school and training.
Today, 1,839 centers are operating statewide, 85 percent of the capacity before hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.