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Parents

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<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù>Access to affordable quality child care benefits you and your children.

²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl can connect you with resources and information to help you find and pay for the child care of your choice. Finding the right care can be overwhelming, and we are here to support you in this important decision. We’ll provide you with the information, tools, and knowledge to help identify your care and early education options.

<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">Finding Child Care

Finding the right child care program for you and your family is a lot of work but ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl knows that when it comes to your child, you know best! We partner with Child Care Aware of Minnesota to help you find the care that best meets your family’s needs.

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There are 2 easy ways for you to search for child care:
Customized Referral Through Child Care Aware Parent Aware Self-Search Online Database

Call the toll-free hotline at 1-888-291-9811 to speak with a Parent Education Specialist and receive a customized list of programs.

  • It’s free
  • You’ll talk with a local Parent Education Specialist
  • You’ll Receive a list of child care options based on your search criteria
  • You’ll get information to help you choose the best care for your child

It’s available Monday through Thursday, 7:00am – 5:00pm and Friday 8:00am – 4:00 pm

Click here to use the self-search online tool.

  • It’s free.
  • You’ll receive a list of child care options based on the criteria you select.
  • It’s available 24/7.
  • You’ll be redirected to the .
<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">Financial Supports

Child care is a necessity for most working families yet, paying for quality child care can be a challenge. Often times, the cost of child care is the biggest part of a family’s budget. Fortunately, there are some programs that can help make child care more affordable and ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl is here to help you navigate and find the options that work best for you and your family.

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<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">Early Learning Scholarships

²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl administers Pathway I Early Learning Scholarships to help families cover the cost of quality child care and early education for young children in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. Pathway I Early Learning Scholarships may be used at any Parent Aware-participating early childhood program in Minnesota where a child attends on a regular basis.

Contact Scholarships at ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl
Call: 651-641-6604
Email: scholarships@thinksmall.org

<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù>Apply Online!


(available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali)

Funding is provided by the State to support administration of early learning scholarships, Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.165

Early Learning Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements

Age
Children birth through age 4 are eligible, and 5-year-olds are eligible if they turn 5 after September 1 of the current school year. (Children age out of eligibility if they are age 5 on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.)

Address
The child must reside in Minnesota with a residential address.

Income
Documentation is required to confirm income eligibility. (Choose one of the options below)

Option 1: Currently participating in one or more of the following public programs. Must provide valid proof of participation.

• MFIP
• CCAP
• CACFP
• SNAP
• Head Start
• Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
• Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program (FRLP)

OR

Option 2: The family has a household income equal to or less than 47 percent of the State Median Income in the chart below. See application for additional income options.

• One month of current paystubs
• W-2 Form
• Signed tax statement submitted to the IRS
• Child Support payments
• Unemployment statements
• SSI statements

This chart is valid October 14, 2024 through October 2025.

No documentation is needed for children in need of child protection services or in foster care.
Children receive priority status for funds if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Are in foster care or have a parent/guardian who is in extended foster care up to age 21.
• Have been referred as in need of child protection services.
• Have a parent under age 21 who is pursuing a high school diploma or GED.
• Have experienced homelessness in the last 24 months.
• Have a parent currently in jail, prison, detention center or on active supervision.
• Are in or have a parent currently in a substance use treatment program.
• Are in or have a parent currently in a mental health treatment program.
• Have experienced domestic violence.
• Currently have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP, ages 3 to 5) or an Individualized Family Service Program (IFSP, ages birth to 3.)

Application

NEW! The Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship application can be completed online!

To apply for an Early Learning Scholarship using the online portal, you will need to create an account. By creating an account, you will be able to complete the application, upload required documents, receive email updates, check the status of your application, and apply for other children in your household. You must have required income documentation available to complete your application in the hub.

Please contact ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl at 651-641-6604 with questions or to request a paper application by mail.

Hennepin and Ramsey County residents can download or print one of the applications below.
Please reference eligibility requirements in the Eligibility tab.
ENGLISH
Application
HMONG
Application
SPANISH
Application
SOMALI
Application

If you do not live in Ramsey or Hennepin County, contact your local scholarship administrator.
View the list .

Tips for submitting a paper application:

• Complete all required areas of the scholarship application. The sections marked with an asterisk (*) are required. All other information is optional.
• Include the income documents necessary to prove your family’s income eligibility. Pages 6 and 7 describe the documents we accept in two categories, Option 1 and 2.
• Applications will not be considered for a scholarship without the required documents.
• Sign and date the scholarship application in ink or use an electronic signature.

Return completed applications and required income documentation:
Drop-off or Mail: Scholarship Department -²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl 10 Yorkton Court St. Paul, MN 55117
Email: applyELS@thinksmall.org

Awarded Families

You may use a Pathway I Early Learning Scholarship at any Parent Aware-participating early childhood program in Minnesota that your child attends on a regular basis. To find an eligible program, please contact Parent Aware at 888-291-9811 or visit the website .

The Early Learning Scholarships award amounts starting July 1, 2024 are based on the child’s age, program type, county where the program is located, and Parent Aware participation status. View the and the to learn more.

Important Reminders:

• If you plan to disenroll or stop attending your program, please contact your program and ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl.
• An awarded child does not need to apply again but may be eligible to renew on July 1st.
• Please contact the Case Manager listed on your award letter for questions about program enrollments, spending, the remaining balance, and renew procedures.
• Please see the back of your award letter for more details about your scholarship.
• Children age out of eligibility if they are age 5 on September 1 or are enrolled in and attending kindergarten, whichever is earlier.
• Scholarship funds pay for attended days and up to 25 absent days. You may qualify for one of the following exemptions: Medical Condition Documentation Form, Exemption Policy for Teen Parents and Children in Families Experiencing Homelessness.

Additional Contacts

Greater Twin Cities United Way (GTCUW) is the Central Payment Administrator for the Early Learning Scholarship Administration Program.
If you have not already sent your programs W-9 and ACH forms for electronic payment to be set-up to receive scholarship payments, please submit to the (temporary) .

Submitting payment invoices for services provided July 1, 2024 and later should also be uploaded to the same secure portal above.
You may also mail completed invoices to:
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Early Learning Scholarship Program
404 South 8th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404

For further instructions or additional questions on how to submit invoices and forms for payment, please visit the GTCUW website:

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  â€¢ Contact with Questions ELSAPaymentSupport@gtcuw.org
  â€¢ Phone number 1-833-559-4702

If your program is not currently participating in Parent Aware and you would like to become Parent Aware rated, please contact the Parent Aware Recruiter at qualitysupports@thinksmall.org and .

For scholarship information in other languages:

• Spanish: Si gustaría asistencia de lenguaje en español, por favor contáctennos al 1-888-291-9811, presione la opción 1.
• Hmong: Yog koj xav tau kev pab txhais lus Hmoob, thov hu rau peb ntawm 1-888-291-9811, nias tus lej 2.
• Somali: Si aad u hesho turjumaan Soomaali ah, fadlan wac 1-888-291-9811 oo dooro doorashada 3.

Visit The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families:

<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">Child Care Assistance Program

As of 11/1/2024, ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl no longer administers the Basic Sliding Fee Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for families living in Ramsey County. Please contact Ramsey County directly at 651-266-4444 or Toll free number 1-833-956-0693 to connect with a case worker regarding your case. To apply for Child Care assistance online go to mnbenefits.mn.gov.

<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">Parent Resources

²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùl is dedicated to supporting parents on their journey of setting their children up for lifelong success. We provide a wealth of resources tailored specifically for parents. Our resources empower parents with the knowledge and tools to create a thriving environment for their child’s growth and success.

View Resources

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<²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëù class="text--orange">ParentPowered Texts

Children learn and develop quickly before age five. 90% of brain development happens during these crucial early years, and we want to help families take advantage of this important time. With ParentPowered Texts, you will receive 52 weeks of fun facts and easy tips each week with ideas on how you can promote your child’s learning.

Sign up today!