Children's Cabinet Website

Children's Cabinet Update

As you continue to support your communities, we are providing an update on recent information related to children and families. Families can also continue to find resources including a guide on cross-agency supports and public health guidance.

Education

The school year is quickly approaching. On July 30, Governor Tim Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) announced a localized, data-driven approach to the 2020-21 school year to prioritize student and staff safety. School districts and charter schools will use one of three models: in-person, distance learning, or hybrid. This determination will be announced by your local school district. Districts and charter schools  are also required to give the option for distance learning for students, no matter which learning model their school is implementing. The Governor remains focused on supporting our schools to deliver equitable education that strives to meet the needs of every student in our preK-12 education system.

The Governor also announced a $430 million investment in our schools. This includes federal Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund dollars that schools have already received and additional funding from federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. This investment provides:

• Face coverings for every student, educator, and staff member
• Comprehensive COVID testing care plan for educators and staff
• Operational costs associated with the learning model chosen (ex: cleaning supplies, screening supplies, and mental health supports)
• Boost student, family, educator support, prioritizing equity (ex: digital training, technology devices, tutors, translation services, and professional development)

Access more information on Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan for the 2020-21 School Year.

Early Childhood GEER Funding Opportunity

A funding opportunity called Early Childhood Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund is now available.

MDE made federal funding available to support wrap-around early care and education services (for children 0 to 8 years old). This funding is directed toward historically underserved populations impacted by COVID-19 in the seven county (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties) metro area.

If you are outside of the metro area, MDE has partnered with the Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIF) to administer the grants to their communities in greater Minnesota. Please contact your regional MIF partner to seek additional information for your region.

You can find instructions and other grant documents on the Competitive Grants Page. The total amount available is $2.5 million with the maximum grant amount of $125,000. Please submit all required materials to mde.compgrants@state.mn.us by August 21, 2020, by 3:30 p.m.

Child Care & School Age Care

Many families will need care for their school-age children during periods of hybrid and distance learning. Families that need assistance with finding care can be directed to available licensed providers by calling the Child Care Aware referral line at 1-888-291-9811 or visiting mn.gov/childcare to view a map of available providers. Families in need of financial assistance should use Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota’s Bridge to Benefits screening tool to determine if they are eligible for financial supports. They are also encouraged to apply for Child Care Assistance.

Child care providers should continue to update their capacity through this survey. For questions about licenses and availability to serve additional school-age children, contact your licensor or DHS hotline at 1-888-234-1268.

Families should also take this time to plan. Schools may move between learning models to prioritize student safety and in-person instruction whenever possible. Consider family, friends, and neighbors that may be able to support you by providing care for your child if your child’s school needs to quickly shift to hybrid or distance learning. During a hybrid or distance learning model when students are not receiving in-person instruction, districts and charter schools will provide care for school-age children 12 years old and younger who are children of critical workers on Tier I of the state critical worker list. This care is provided at no cost during regular school hours.

COVID Family Supports

Make a Plan

As Minnesota perseveres through the COVID-19 public health crisis, we know that more people will become sick and require hospitalization.  It’s never too early to plan for an emergency that would prevent you from caring for your children. Make a Plan Minnesota urges parents and guardians to develop plans for alternate short-term care for their children in the event that they become seriously ill. By compiling critical information like your children’s medical or educational needs, as well as other important information like their preferred routines and comfort items, you can help create an easier transition for you, the caregiver, and your children. We have developed a tool collaboratively with families, counties and tribes to help families with this planning at Make A Plan MN on the COVID webpage.

Food Security

The Children’s Cabinet and Food Security Workgroup created this Food Security document as an outreach resource for families with food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guide has food security programs and resources provided by state agencies and community partners.

COVID Testing: Find information on COVID-19 testing and locations

MDH also works in partnership with communities to provide safe and free on-site COVID-19 testing in areas with outbreaks, increasing cases, or other barriers to access existing test sites. The Children’s Cabinet shares these events with child and youth programs and settings.

Action areas

The Children’s Cabinet takes a data-driven and results-oriented
approach in priority areas informed by community.

Healthy Beginnings. Child Care and Early Education. Mental Health and Well-being. Housing Stability.

Contact Us.

Website: www.mn.gov/childrenscabinet
Email: childrenscabinet.MMB@state.mn.us