As essential workers across the state continue to report to their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic, Minnesota has taken additional steps to ensure children of essential workers have adequate care.
More than 1,200 Minnesota child care providers will receive about $9.8 million in grants through the first round of emergency state funding, the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced this week.
Gov. Tim Walz proposed the measure last month and the Minnesota Legislature authorized a total of $30 million to assist child care providers.
“With child care providers struggling to keep their doors open, we know there is high demand for additional support,” DHS commissioner Jodi Harpstead said in a statement.
About 120,000 children of first responders are likely to need and use licensed child care settings, according to DHS.
Through the first round, the state has received applications from 5,380 state licensed child care programs and 22 tribally licensed programs.
Child care providers that didn’t receive a grant will have an opportunity to apply in the second round in mid-May and the third round in mid-June at childcareawaremn.org/providers/emergency-child-care-grants.