Dhs Press Release June 2020
State expands eligibility, doubles funding for third round of emergency child care grants For the third round of Peacetime Emergency Child Care Grants, the Minnesota Department of Human Services will expand eligibility criteria and double available grant dollars to continue to help provide child care for essential workers and meet increased demand as businesses reopen. Current funding for the third round of grants is about $9.8 million and the additional $10 million will come from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “As the COVID-19 emergency evolves, more businesses open, and providers struggle with increased public health impact, the demand for child care and need for financial supports increases,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “Doubling the funding for this next round of grants will help more child care providers meet the needs of working families.” By law, state-licensed family child care programs and child care centers as well as tribally licensed programs are eligible for the grants. The commissioner of Human Services has the authority to add other program types. For round three of the grants, eligibility is expanded to allow certain certified child care centers to…