New program offers benefits to support early childhood educators
A new program from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families supports the early childhood workforce by providing essential benefits like dental and vision insurance.
Early educators ensure children thrive and provide care so parents can work, but they don’t often have essential benefits. This benefits program gives participants up to $55 per month to spend on selected benefits such as dental, vision, telehealth, teletherapy, life insurance and more.
“Early childhood workers provide stable care for children and economic stability for families,” said DCYF Commissioner Tikki Brown. “When early educators thrive, the children they care for thrive. We have long heard early educators need mental health supports, and that need has only deepened. This program is in response to that.”
Nearly half of early educators don’t have medical insurance through their employment, and over half don’t have access to dental insurance through their employment. More than half of former family child care providers said lack of benefits played a medium or high role in their decision to close their business
The application opened July 6 and closes September 11. Eligible applicants can complete an online application and submit information to verify employment in a qualifying program. Space is limited, and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply even if they will be waitlisted. To be eligible, participants must:
- Work in a qualifying early care and education program
- Work an average of at least 32 hours a week
- Work at least 8 months a year
- Be 18 years of age or older
The benefits program gives participants up to $55 per month to spend through a third-party vendor, Optima Benefits and Payroll, on selected benefits such as dental, vision, telehealth, teletherapy, life insurance and more. Depending on the benefits a participant chooses, the monthly amount may cover the full cost of benefits or significantly reduce what is paid out of pocket. If the benefits selected cost more than $55 per month, the participant is responsible for paying the difference.
This program builds on the Walz-Flanagan Administration’s historic investments to strengthen Minnesota’s early childhood workforce, including $446 million through the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program and $42.5 million in childcare stabilization grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, the investments help recruit and retain childcare providers, support working families, and strengthen Minnesota’s economy. This program further reflects the Administration’s commitment to modernizing state services, strengthening Minnesota’s workforce, and making Minnesota the best state in the country to raise a family.
While a participant must work at a qualifying program to be eligible, these benefits are not associated with the employer or program. DCYF will verify early care and education settings are in good standing using Minnesota child care licensing data.
Optima Benefits and Payroll is a licensed broker of benefits, with a history of administering benefits programs. Optima is currently providing these kinds of benefits to early care and education professionals in 10 other states and communities.
The pilot program is an opportunity for DCYF to learn about the needs of providers and how a benefits program could support and work for early educators on a statewide level. As part of the pilot, DCYF will collect data to understand the types of benefits most needed by early educators and how to best support them.
This initiative was made possible using federal funding, 93.434-ESSA Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five. It does not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Learn more about how the DCYF program to better support early educators provides selected benefits to individuals working in qualifying early care and education programs.