as introduced - 93rd Legislature (2023 - 2024) Posted on 03/06/2023 07:03pm
A bill for an act
relating to child care; establishing a family, friend, and neighbor child care grant
program; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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The commissioner of human services shall establish a
family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) grant program to promote children's social-emotional
learning and healthy development, early literacy, and other skills to succeed as learners and
to foster community partnerships that will help children thrive when they enter school.
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The commissioner may award grants under this section to the
following entities working with FFN caregivers: community-based organizations, nonprofit
organizations, local or regional libraries, local public health agencies, and Indian Tribes
and Tribal organizations. Grantees may use grant money received under this section to:
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(1) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate training, support, and resources to
FFN caregivers and children's families to improve and promote children's health, safety,
nutrition, and learning;
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(2) connect FFN caregivers and children's families with community resources that support
the families' physical and mental health and economic and developmental needs;
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(3) connect FFN caregivers and children's families to early childhood screening programs
and facilitate referrals to state and local agencies, schools, community organizations, and
medical providers, as appropriate;
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(4) provide FFN caregivers and children's families with information about high-quality,
community-based early care and learning programs and financial assistance available to the
families, including but not limited to child care assistance under chapter 119B and early
learning scholarships under section 124D.165;
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(5) provide FFN caregivers with information about registering as a legal nonlicensed
child care provider under section 119B.011, subdivision 16, and establishing a licensed
family or group family child care program;
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(6) provide transportation for FFN caregivers and children's families to educational and
other early childhood training activities;
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(7) translate materials for FFN caregivers and children's families and provide translation
services to FFN caregivers and children's families;
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(8) develop and disseminate social-emotional learning, health and safety, and early
learning kits to FFN caregivers; and
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(9) establish play and learning groups for FFN caregivers.
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Applicants must apply for the grants using the forms and
according to timelines established by the commissioner.
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(a) Grantees shall provide data and program outcomes
to the commissioner in a form and manner specified by the commissioner for the purpose
of evaluating the grant program.
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(b) Beginning February 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter, the commissioner shall
report to the legislature on program outcomes.
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$5,000,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $5,000,000 in fiscal year 2025 are appropriated from
the general fund to the commissioner of human services for the family, friend, and neighbor
grant program under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.196.
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