Programs Directory

The cornerstone of a whole family approach is understanding that the well-being of children is intertwined with the well-being of parents, guardians, and families. Addressing the needs of a whole family in a more integrated way can create greater stability and stronger outcomes for families.

Child Care Access Grantees can help families experiencing homelessness or housing instability apply for and maintain their child care assistance.

Parent Aware offers free tools and resources for families and child care programs. It can help you find child care, options for affording care, and tools and tips to find the right program for your child. Additionally, Parent Aware helps program continuously improve their quality through Star Ratings and resources.

The Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program supports the child care and early education workforce by increasing compensation and benefits for this vital workforce. This program created Legal Nonlicensed One-Time Payments, which provide one-time payments of $500 to legal nonlicensed providers registered with the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to cover registration and startup costs.

The Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program supports the child care and early education workforce by increasing compensation and benefits for this vital workforce. The program issues monthly payments to eligible child care and early educators to fund increases in compensation and benefits.

Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help make quality child care affordable for families with low incomes.

​School-based early learning programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are designed to help children learn, grow, and develop, providing them with the skills and abilities for a successful transition to kindergarten and beyond.

Head Start and Early Head Start programs promote school readiness of children ages birth to 5 from low-income families by supporting the development of the whole child.