Grant funds to increase the capacity of quality early childhood and school-age care in Minnesota are now available. Grants may be used for the following purposes. o To assist child care providers and programs who are soon-to-be licensed, or have been licensed for less than six months. Grants may be used to purchase items or make improvements required by licensing or the Fire Marshall. o To increase the capacity and quality of licensed infant/toddler care in Minnesota. o To increase the quality of child care available through facility improvements, equipment purchases and provider professional development. o To provide professional development and program support opportunities for school-age-care providers and programs. o To help licensed providers or programs that are experiencing an emergency that affects their immediate ability to provide child care services. o To improve the quality of care and school readiness for children in family, friends and neighbors (FFN) child care settings. This year Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies will implement the statewide “Linking Training to Grants” requirement. Grantees will be required to complete six or 10 hours of training before receiving their grant. The amount of training required is based on the amount of the grant award. Grants are available to licensed family child care providers, child care centers, family child care associations, employer/church-based Rule 2 providers, legally exempt school-based, school-age care programs, family, friends and neighbors (FFN) child care providers, and corporations or public agencies that develop child care services. To request an application, contact Tina at Midwest Child Care Resource and Referral at tinap5@willmar.com or toll-free at (800) 292-5437. Applications are also available to download at www.midwestchildcare.com. This may be the last time funding will be available until fall 2005.
