Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Rural Child Care Stabilization and Support Payment Program in Minnesota. This program aims to provide financial support to eligible rural child care and early learning programs to enhance their ability to serve rural communities, improve access to early care and learning, and help these programs recruit and retain early educators.

Main Provisions

• Eligible Programs: The bill outlines the types of child care programs that can receive support, including family day care, group family day care homes, child care centers, and Tribally licensed child care programs. These programs must be located in towns or cities with populations of 2,500 or fewer to qualify.
• Application and Requirements: Eligible programs must apply for payments by completing an application, submitting child enrollment and attendance data, and confirming their operational status in terms of child service provisions and closures due to public health guidance.
• Funding Usage: Funds can be used for costs like employee compensation, rent, utilities, equipment upgrades, and professional development. Specific uses are prescribed for different types of care providers.
• Record Keeping and Compliance: Programs are required to maintain detailed records of fund usage and other relevant information for six years. They must comply with all program requirements to continue receiving payments.
• Payments and Adjustments: Payments are determined and distributed by the commissioner on a noncompetitive basis, with amounts based on the staffing levels. Programs in child care access equity areas or those receiving assistance payments will see a 10% increase in funding.
• Report: An annual report must be submitted by January 1st detailing the number of payments made and the outcomes achieved. This reporting requirement will expire on January 31, 2035.

Significant Changes

• Introduction of the Rural Child Care Stabilization and Support Payment Program, creating a new support structure for child care services in rural areas.
• Establishment of guidelines for fund distribution, usage, and compliance requirements that programs must meet in order to receive and continue to receive the assistance provided by the program.

Relevant Terms

• Rural child care stabilization
• Early learning programs
• Family day care
• Group family day care
• Tribally licensed child care
• Child care support payments
• Recruitment and retention of educators
• Child care access equity areas
• Early learning scholarships