2012-2013 POLICY AGENDA

GOAL

Ensure all children in Minnesota have access to quality care and education programs of their familys choosing.

PROPOSED POLICY AGENDA

In order to ensure all children are prepared to succeed in school and life, Minnesota needs to increase its annual investment in
effective early childhood care and education programs. Early childhood advocates and supporters call on state leaders to increase
investment in all Minnesotas children through a phased multiyear strategy outlined in the chart below.
Biennium
Phase I*
Increasing access to quality
programs for 3-4 year-old children
living at or below 185% poverty
through additional resources

FY 2013

FY 2014

FY 2015

FY 2016

FY 2017

FY 2018

13,640 kids

16,810 kids

19,200 kids

20,240 kids

20,240 kids

20,240 kids

$78,370,000

$106,875,000

$130,580,000

$149,500,000

$150,000,000

$150,000,000

Phase II
Access to quality care, home visiting
and mentoring for families of 0-2
year olds (infants and toddlers)

Policy specifics currently in development

Phase III
Adequate funding for quality K-3rd
grade education

Policy specifics currently in development

Phase IV
Permanent endowed funding into
perpetuity to ensure all Minnesota
kids have access to quality care and
education

Upon establishment
of a permanent
endowed fund
Phase I-III funding
streams become
unnecessary

PHASE I DETAILS
Provide children in families living at or below 185% of poverty the opportunity to access quality care and education.
Investing in Minnesotas most vulnerable kids. All 3- and 4-year-olds at or below 185% of poverty, plus siblings if attending the same eligible program,
qualify for scholarships to attend participating early learning programs.
Funding varies based on need and market. The amount of funding per child varies based on eligibility for other funding, quality rating of selected program,
and average cost of care based on geographic location. The average scholarship amount per child is $6,000.
Current public funding falls short. Scholarships layer, enhance and expand existing public funding (Child Care Assistance Program, Head Start, School
Readiness and Title I) to enable families to access the quality programs of their choosing.
Usage is flexible. Pre-approved choices for families include Parent Aware rated providers/programs including: school-based programs, Head Start,
licensed center-based programs and licensed family care providers.
All existing programs could be eligible to participate. Families not able to identify rated quality programs in their area can use scholarships
to access licensed programs that make a commitment to providing quality care and education as part of a quality enhancement process prior to receiving a
Parent Aware rating.
Provide dedicated early learning providers the opportunity to invest in quality improvements:
Eligibility through a commitment to quality. In order to be an eligible choice for families receiving scholarships, unrated licensed providers/programs
in areas where availability of rated programs is limited must make a commitment to quality improvement over time as part of a process toward receiving a
Parent Aware quality rating. Unrated providers are eligible to accept children receiving scholarships for up to two years before being rated.
An upfront investment in quality improvement. Providers and programs providing quality care to scholarship families before being rated are eligible
to receive $4,000 scholarships per child per year and can use up to 50% of the funding as an up-front financial incentive to invest in quality improvement in
preparation for a Parent Aware quality rating.
NOTE: Phase II, III and IV details yet to be developed.
* Phase I funding levels are based on an anticipated maximum participation rate of 70% of 3- and 4-year-olds living at or below 185% of poverty.