Policy Agenda MinneMinds will lead:

Quality

Parent Aware

• Fully fund Parent Aware to continue the expansion of high-quality early learning programs throughout Minnesota. Support existing rated providers and grow from 3,000 programs to 4,400.
• Ongoing support for rated providers and implementation of improvement strategies, with a priority on stronger recognition and incorporation of cultural competency.

Access

Scholarships

• Increase funding and access of State Early Learning Scholarships for in need children birth-to-five to attend high quality early childhood development programs (Prioritize children with highest needs, including those facing homelessness and in foster care.)
• Complete efforts to fully-fund scholarships for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds. Serve 7,000 new, at risk preschoolers.
• Add funding for high priority groups for 0 to 2-year-olds (siblings, homeless, foster care, child protection). Serves 3,400 new, at risk babies and toddlers.

Home visiting

• Increase access and funding for targeted home visiting programs to include 7,000 children in high poverty.
• Provide community-led solutions to high-risk families to help stabilize them and give them a strong start.

Policy Agenda MinneMinds supports:

Access

Childcare Assistance Program (CCAP)

• Support family and provider-friendly provisions of federal reauthorization.
• Serve more CCAP eligible families.

Economic Development

Provider pipeline and workforce growth

• Provide new and/or expanded tax credits for families to afford child care, for professionals to stay in the field, and for businesses to invest in high-quality child care and education.
• Increase investments in programs like TEACH and RETAIN to grow and retain the number of early childhood and afterschool professionals.