Subdivision 1. Establishment; purpose. The retaining early educators through attaining incentives now (REETAIN) grant program is established to provide competitive grants to incentivize well-trained child care professionals to remain in the workforce. The overall goal of the REETAIN grant program is to create more consistent care for children over time.
Subd. 2. Administration. The commissioner shall administer the REETAIN grant program through a grant to a nonprofit with the demonstrated ability to manage benefit programs for child care professionals. Up to ten percent of grant money may be used for administration of the grant program.
Subd. 3. Application. Applicants must apply for the REETAIN grant program using the forms and according to timelines established by the commissioner.
Subd. 4. Eligibility. (a) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must:
(1) be licensed to provide child care or work for a licensed child care program;
(2) work directly with children at least 30 hours per week;
(3) have worked in the applicant's current position for at least 12 months;
(4) agree to work in the early childhood care and education field for at least 12 months upon receiving a grant under this section;
(5) have a career lattice step of five or higher;
(6) have a current membership with the Minnesota quality improvement and registry tool;
(7) not be a current teacher education and compensation helps scholarship recipient; and
(8) meet any other requirements determined by the commissioner.
(b) Grant recipients must sign a contract agreeing to remain in the early childhood care and education field for 12 months.
Subd. 5. Grant awards. Grant awards must be made annually and may be made up to an amount per recipient determined by the commissioner. Grant recipients may use grant money for program supplies, training, or personal expenses.
Subd. 6. Report. By January 1 each year, the commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child care about the number of grants awarded to recipients and outcomes of the grant program since the last report.
1Sp2021 c 7 art 14 s 3
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 119A - 119B — Children And Families
Chapter 119B — Child Care Programs
Section 119B.011 — Definitions.
Section 119B.02 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 119B.025 — Duties Of Counties.
Section 119B.03 — Basic Sliding Fee Program.
Section 119B.035 — At-home Infant Child Care Program.
Section 119B.04 — Federal Child Care And Development Fund.
Section 119B.05 — Mfip Child Care Assistance Program.
Section 119B.06 — Federal Child Care And Development Block Grant.
Section 119B.08 — Reporting And Payments.
Section 119B.09 — Financial Eligibility.
Section 119B.095 — Child Care Authorizations.
Section 119B.097 — Authorization With A Secondary Provider.
Section 119B.10 — Employment, Education, Or Training Eligibility.
Section 119B.105 — Extended Eligibility And Authorization.
Section 119B.11 — County Contribution.
Section 119B.12 — Sliding Fee Scale.
Section 119B.125 — Provider Requirements.
Section 119B.13 — Child Care Rates.
Section 119B.14 — Extension Of Employment Opportunities.
Section 119B.15 — Administrative Expenses.
Section 119B.16 — Fair Hearing Process.
Section 119B.161 — Administrative Review.
Section 119B.189 — Child Care Services Grant Definitions.
Section 119B.21 — Child Care Services Grants.
Section 119B.24 — Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 119B.25 — Child Care Improvement Grants.
Section 119B.26 — Authority To Waive Requirements During Disaster Periods.