For Parents and Guardians

Help Paying for Child Care

 

NEW! St Paul Promise Neighborhood Early Learning Scholarship

The St Paul Promise Neighborhood Early Learning Scholarships give families financial support to help pay for high-quality early childhood education to prepare their young children for school.

Who can be in the program?

  • Families who live in the Promise Neighborhood (Frogtown, Summit-University in St Paul),

  • Families with a child who are preschool age, and  

  • Families who income eligible may qualify.

What services will families receive?

  • Information about choosing quality early care and education.

  • Help pay for high-quality early care and education.

How can families get into the program?

Think Small is currently accepting applications. Families can download the application below and mail it to: SPPN Scholarships, Think Small, 10 Yorkton Court, St Paul MN 55117

St Paul Promise Neighborhood Early Learning Scholarships Application

If you have questions about the SPPN Scholarship, please call 651-641-6604.

 

NEW! State Early Childhood Education Scholarship

The State Early Childhood Education (ECE) Scholarships give families financial support to help pay for high-quality early care and education to prepare their young children for school.

Who can be in the program?

  • Families who live in the City of Duluth, Minneapolis, St Paul, Willmar, and Wayzata School District,

  • Families with a child who is between the age of 3 and 5 and not yet enrolled in kindergarten,

  • Families who have an annual income less than 47% of the State Median Income (based on 2012 Federal Register), a bit more than $40,000 for a family of four.

What services will families receive?

  • Information about choosing quality early care and education.

  • Up to $4,000 to help pay for high-quality early care and education.

How can families get into the program?

Think Small is currently accepting applications.  Families can download the application below and mail it to: ECE Scholarships, Think Small, 10 Yorkton Court, St Paul MN 55117

State ECE Scholarships Application

If you have questions about the State ECE Scholarships, please call 651-641-6604.

 

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has Child Care Assistance Programs for low-income families needing assistance to help pay for child care to support employment, job search, and remedial and postsecondary education that will lead to employment.

There are three different programs that families may be eligible for based on a variety of eligibility criteria. They are the MFIP/DWP Child Care Assistance, Transition Year Child Care Assistance, and Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance.

 

MFIP/DWP Child Care Assistance

This program serves families that receive cash and/or food portion benefits through either the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or the Diversionary Work Program (DWP). In order to be eligible for child care assistance through this program an employment plan must be created with an employment services worker. This program is fully funded and has no waiting lists.

 

Transition Year Child Care Assistance 

Families that left MFIP/DWP Financial Assistance within the last twelve months are served by this program. This program only supports working parents or parents needing care in order to look for a job. Transition Year Child Care Assistance cannot pay child care while parents attend any type of education program. In order to be eligible for Transition Year Child Care Assistance families must have received MFIP/DWP financial benefits for a least three out of the last six months prior to the benefits ending. This program is fully funded and has no waiting lists.

 

Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance

This program serves families that do not meet criteria for MFIP/DWP or Transition Year Child Care Programs and need child care assistance to support employment, job search, or remedial and postsecondary education. This program is not fully funded and may have a waiting list.

Contact the human services office in your county to determine which Child Care Assistance program you may be eligible for.  If the county has no funding for the Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance Program, you can ask to be placed on the waiting list.

 

Think Small administers the Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance Program for Ramsey County Residents.

If you live in Ramsey County and would like assistance in understanding which Child Care Assistance Program you may be eligible for, call the Intake Screening Line at 651-641-6665.  If you don't live in Ramsey County contact your county's human service program.

 

Do you have questions? Call your county's program. 

County

Child Care Assistance Program

MFIP, DWP, or  Transition Year programs

Hennepin

612-348-5937

612-596-1300

Ramsey

651-641-6665

651-266-4444

Dakota

651-554-5611

651-554-5611

Scott

952-496-8686

952-496-8686

Washington

651-430-6459

651-430-6459

Carver

952-361-1721

952-361-1710

Anoka

763-717-7711

763-717-7730  

 

Additional information to help understand Child Care Assistance Programs in Minnesota: