Learn about new laws that are causing significant changes in time-limited work rules for SNAP recipients and that impact recipients and increase workload for Minnesota's counties and Tribal Nations.
The federal shutdown has ended, and SNAP benefits are being processed and distributed on schedule. Learn more at https://dcyf.mn.gov/federal-shutdown
Safe sleep practices save lives
In tribute to Minnesota’s Infant Safe Sleep Week, Nov. 16-22, the Minnesota Department of Health is encouraging all infant caregivers to tune into what pediatricians are saying about the best ways to keep babies sleeping safely.
The American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations for preventing sleep-related infant deaths among children up to 1 year old support the ABCs of safe sleep:
- ALONE: Infants should always sleep or nap alone - not sharing beds or cribs with others.
- BACK: Always put a baby on their back to sleep or nap.
- CRIB: Babies should always sleep or nap in their own safety-approved crib, play yard, bassinet, or portable crib without blankets or pillows. To keep warm during Minnesota winters, parents are urged to dress babies in pajamas or other clothing appropriate for the temperature.
Annually, approximately 50 otherwise healthy Minnesota babies die of sleep-related unintentional injuries while sleeping in unsafe conditions. Babies become tangled in bedding, get stuck under pillows, or trapped between a sleeping adult and the cushions of a sofa or recliner. The vast majority of SUID in Minnesota are largely preventable. Focusing on safe sleep practices can prevent these tragedies. Learn more at MDH’s Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (Includes SIDS and Sleep-Related Infant Deaths) and Safe Sleep webpage.
Safe sleep standards for licensed child care centers and licensed family child care programs
Child care providers must comply with specific safe sleep standards, crib inspections, sleep supervision, and training requirements for those working with infants because unsafe sleep environments have been associated with unexpected infant deaths, including deaths in licensed child care. These standards align with the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for infant safe sleep and provide greater clarity for license holders.
To see the specific requirements for the various types of monitored child care see:
Licensed Child Care Centers
- Minnesota Statutes, sections 142B.01, subd. 10 (Cradleboard)
- 142B.01, subd. 27 (3) (b) Supervision
- 142B.46 (Reduction of Risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Licensed Programs)
- 142B.45 (Crib Safety Requirements)
- 142B.65 (Child Care Center Training Requirements).
Licensed Family Child Care
- Minnesota Statutes, sections 142B.01, subd. 10 (Cradleboard)
- 142B.46 (Reduction of Risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Licensed Programs)
- 142B.45 (Crib Safety Requirements)
- 142B.70 (Family Child Care Training requirements)
- 142B.75 (Family Child Care Infant Sleep Supervision Requirements).
Certified Child Care Centers
- Minnesota Statutes, section 142C.12, subd. 2 (Training Requirements/Sudden Unexpected Infant Death)
Legal nonlicensed child care additional information on requirements can be found in the Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Policy Manual 11.9 Legal nonlicensed Providers.