As family child care providers, we work alone and spend countless hours making sure each child in our care is learning, healthy and safe.
When the kids finally go home, we face all of the challenges of small business owners — licensing, liability, late payments and late parents. 
No wonder we can feel isolated and overwhelmed at times.  That’s why I’m grateful for our union, Child Care Providers Together.  Through our peer mentor program, legislative advocacy and professional training, I get the support I need to run my business and maintain my license.  Our trainings are affordable and convenient.
There’s always something new to learn:
CPR, first aid, car seat and crib safety, parent-provider contracts — if we need it, we’ll make it happen.
 
We’ll be in your neighborhood...
 
As child care providers, we
need the wisdom of a parent, the knowledge of a teacher,
the heart of a social worker, the patience of a saint,
the healing power of a pediatrician and the savvy of
an entrepreneur.
The truth is, if we didn’t do our jobs, the rest of the world couldn’t do theirs. It’s time we unite for the respect, support and benefits we deserve. 
Members of Child Care Providers Together will be knocking on your door in the coming weeks to talk about joining our union.
Look for our logo on their ID badge. Think about how our network of providers can help you when you need it most. We want to hear your ideas and gain power for our united voice. See you soon!
 
For providers, by providers, supported by AFSCME!
 
Questions? Call 651-450-4990. Ask for Adrienne or Lisa T.

 
  Federal Funding Update: Increases Proposed for Child Care!
 
 
  Senate Passes Child Nutrition Act, House Still Must Act.
 
 
  Congress Passes Much Needed State Fiscal Relief.

About the Accreditation Faciliation Project
The MN Accreditation Facilitation Project (AFP), a funded initiative supporting programs with services and incentives toward national accreditation, has received increased funding. We are looking for programs in need of support and resources to assist their accreditation endorsement.
This collaborative effort of the MN Association for the Education of Young Children, MN School-Age Care Alliance and MN Licensed Family Child Care Association is known as the Umbrella Strategic Alliance (USA). The USA provides support statewide to family, center and school-age child care programs through 3 tiers of service. Programs or providers interested in receiving tier 3 services should submit an application. 

• Tier 1: Hotline free service available statewide
• Tier 2: Initial visit free service to programs in the 9 county metro area
• Tier 3: In-depth consultation (fee based) Qualifying programs eligible for free consultation and incentive dollars.

Contact the AFP for more information or complete an application to participate.

• AFP Application for Family Child Care (pdf)

QUALITY

Support the ongoing development of the voluntary Quality Rating and Improvement System was included in the Child Care Omnibus bill passed by legislature and signed by the Govenor.

Maintain current levels of funding for training and technical assistance programs such as T.E.A.C.H.
Early Childhood® MN for providers to prepare for ratings was included in the Child Care Omnibus bill passed legislature and signed by the Governor.

Allow 3 and 4 Star rated child care centers or family child care providers in Parent Aware, who care for
Child Care Assistance children, to be reimbursed at a rate up to 15% above the maximum reimbursement rate and up to the provider’s actual rate charged to private-pay families statewide was not adopted in the conference committee report of the Early Childhood Committee Omnibus bill.
ACCESS/ AFFORDABILITY

Maintain current levels of funding in the Child Care Assistance Program was implemented in the final budget enacted by the legislature and sign by the Governor.

Restructure the Dependent Care Tax Credit to allow for more families to receive the credit did not get a hearing in either Tax committee.

Implement the recommendations of the Child Care Advisory Task Force: Teen Parents in School program to receive Authorization through end of school year was included in the Child Care Omnibus bill passed by legislature and signed by the Governor.
OTHER

Funding for Early Childhood Facilities grants was included in the conference committee report of the Bonding Omnibus bill but this funding was Line itemed Vetoed by the Governor.
 

There is HELP!!
For FREE information and help completing your tax forms:
AccountAbility Minnesota
For self-employed - call 651-287-0187 ext. 143 to schedule an appointment.
AccountAbility Minnesota also offers Free E-File and low cost express Refund Loans!
Go to their website:  http://www.accountabilitymn.org/

 
Washington, DC —Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) introduced the Access to Nutritious Meals for Young Children Act of 2009 in the United States House of Representatives to update the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) by adding additional resources to pay for healthier meals and expanding the program to include more children.  Rep. Tonko’s bill is identical to legislation introduced in the Senate in November by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).
“Rep. Tonko’s nutritious meals bill can decrease childhood obesity, improve child nutrition and health, enhance child development and school readiness, and reduce hunger,” said AFSCME International President Gerald W. McEntee. “AFSCME commends Rep. Tonko for working to improve young children’s access to healthy foods.”
Click link for more....

CACFP FCC Kids

The Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) was formed in fall of 2008
through Governor Tim Pawlenty's Executive Order. The Council's goal is
that by 2020, all Minnesota children are school-ready as they enter
kindergarten. The Council will provide recommendations to the Governor
and Minnesota Legislature toward this outcome.  The Council has 13 state
and federal charges that have been grouped into related themes and are
being addressed by four committees: Accountability, Access and Finance,
Professional Development and Early Learning Standards.

An interactive Web-based forum or bulletin board has been created to
provide an opportunity for public comment on strategies suggested by
ECAC committees that will support children in their readiness to enter
kindergarten. The Council is interested in hearing ideas and strategies
that have worked in various communities throughout Minnesota.  The
public comments and suggestions will be taken into consideration as the
committees develop their recommendations to present to the Council. 
 

If you first took the Child Passenger Safety Training when the law was first passed in 2005 - It's time to take the training again!  This training is required every five years and it has been five years.
 
 New Booster Seat Law in Effect
Minnesota's new child passenger safety law requires a child who is both under age 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches to be fastened in a child safety seat or booster. Under this law, a child cannot use a seat belt alone until they are age 8 or 4 feet 9 inches tall — whichever comes first. It is recommended to keep a child in a booster based on their height, rather than their age.
Boosters are seat lifts that help raise a child up so a seat belt fits properly.
Kids that are shorter than 4 feet 9 inches aren’t ready to use a seat belt alone. Poor belt fit can contribute to death or serious injury — including ejection, internal decapitation and serious abdominal damage. A sign a belt does not fit properly is if it rubs against a child’s neck, or the child tucks the belt behind their back.