Child Care Assistance Program and recent federal actions

We're sure many of you are tracking the news on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and the federal government’s actions to freeze Minnesota’s child care payments. We recognize the alarm and questions this has raised.  

What you need to know about funding  

• The Child Care Assistance Program is continuing to operate as usual. Providers should continue following all CCAP licensing and certification requirements and practices, including billing, as usual. 
• State funding for the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program and Early Learning Scholarships is not impacted by the federal government’s action. 
• You can track DCYF updates on federal funding and DCYF actions on the DCYF federal funding and actions tracker.  

What you need to know about CCAP compliance checks 

On Jan. 5, 2026, DCYF announced it would conduct additional on-site compliance checks at child care programs that participate in the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). What you need to know:  

• The Office of Inspector General sent additional information to licensed and certified programs on January 28, 2026. View that message here.  
• There is nothing you need to prepare. When visits occur, they generally focus on record keeping, staffing and meeting health and safety requirements. 
• DCYF Office of Inspector General investigators are conducting on-site checks with assistance from Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) agents. The presence of BCA agents does not indicate a criminal investigation.