SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Walz-Flanagan administration announced a plan to allocate more than $56 million in federal funding to support Minnesota child care providers experiencing increased costs and decreased revenue as a result of COVID-19. This builds on laws recently authored by Rep. Dave Pinto (DFL-St. Paul) which have provided $30 million in emergency grants, as well as increased rates for child care assistance.
“Early care and learning is a critical sector that was under deep financial stress even before the pandemic,” said Rep. Pinto, Chair of the House Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee. “This funding will help our state’s child care providers to keep their doors open so that parents can work, employers can expand, and young children can continue receiving the high-quality development and learning that they deserve.”
Under the proposal, which is subject to review by the Legislative Advisory Commission, eligible child care providers would receive a grant paid out over three months. Family child care providers would receive up to $1,200 per month, and child care centers would receive up to $8,500 per month.