Resources for Child Care and Youth Programs
COVID-19 and our state’s emergency response has highlighted what we already know - child care providers are essential workers and our families and employers depend on their work. This pandemic has changed the landscape of how centers and family child care operate, and the Governor has worked with his Administration and Children’s Cabinet to develop guidelines, programs, and resources to help ensure child care providers have what they need to care for our youngest Minnesotans to the best of their ability. Youth programs are also working to be available this summer and the Administration is working to share specific public health guidance to support these programs in meeting the needs of children and families.
More specific and updated information on mn.gov/childcare.
Guidance for operating during the pandemic
- Child care provider hotline. The Department of Human Services child care provider hotline can be reached at 1-888-234-1268 if you have questions related to child care. DHS Licensing is working with certified and licensed centers and licensed family child care programs to accommodate the need for increased access to school-age care.
- Supplies and resources: The Governor through his Children’s Cabinet is working to compile information and build public-private partnerships to support child care providers securing the food and cleaning product and supplies they need. More info at: mn.gov/childcare
Financial assistance for child care providers
- The Children’s Cabinet created documents to help child care providers navigate needed business supports:
- Governor Walz signed into law a COVID-19 Response Package, which includes $30 million in financial support to organizations licensed to provide child care to children of emergency responders that is administered by Child Care Aware of Minnesota. Applications for the Peacetime Emergency Childcare Grants for licensed providers serving essential workers are now being accepted. Selected applicants will receive an award on a month-to-month basis starting at $4,500, with additional $1,000 available for programs providing non-standard hours care, care for children whose first language is not English, and/or who have special needs. Providers that are licensed to serve 15 or more children will be eligible for an additional amount of up to $15,500 per month. Check out an FAQ for the Peacetime Emergency Childcare Grants.
- There are private organizations offering grants to child care providers during the peacetime emergency. The Minnesota Initiative Foundations is offering grants to child care programs in Greater Minnesota and Think Small is offering grants to eligible licensed family child care programs in the seven-county metropolitan area.
- Economic and Employment Programs: The status of these federal programs are changing – and may be closed – based on availability of federal dollars appropriated by Congress. Please check here for current status.