Grant Information

Local Grant applications are available through Families First of Minnesota
Region 10 includes the following counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona.

For more information on grants click here, or contact the Dawn Eckhoff, Grant Coordinator at Families First of Minnesota.
Phone: 287-2020 ext. 1525, or email: Dawn

R.E.E.T.A.I.N Grant Information

Are you a child care provider in Minnesota who holds an Associate Degree or higher, or have you earned and maintained a CDA credential from the Council for Professional Recognition? Then you could qualify for a REETAIN grant.

R.E.E.T.A.I.N (Retaining Early Educators Through Attaining Incentives Now) is a workforce retention program that strives to reduce the turnover rates among child care providers who work with young children. Grant recipients are free to use grant dollars as they choose. Grant dollars are considered additional salary and may be used to pay bills, reinvest in your child care setting, or cover personal expenses.

Awards The grants range from $500 to $3500 depending upon the level of education attained.

The grant application period occurs once a year:

For family providers – October 1 through November 30.
For center-based providers – April 1 through May 31

Applications information is available HERE under the APPLICATION PROCESS tab and may only be submitted during the above time periods. For more information, contact [email protected] or 651-290-9704 ext. 107.

Requirements REETAIN is a program that offers grants to providers who:

Are licensed or work for a licensed program Work at least 30 hours per week directly with same one or two groups of children Have been working in their current position for at least one year Have earned a CDA, Associate Degree, Bachelors degree or higher Are willing to commit to staying in their position for one year.

CDA Scholarship Information

You can learn more about this scholarship and how to apply by clicking HERE or visiting the Child Care Aware of MN website at childcareawaremn.org.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA Grant Information

Are you interested in a higher education scholarship program intended to help early childhood and school-age care professionals increase their education, compensation and commitment to the field? Then you may want to apply for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA grant.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA has supported individuals employed at an Early Childhood Center or Licensed Family Child Care in the past by providing T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to those interested in furthering their education by studying child development or early childhood. T.E.A.C.H. accepts applications at any time, but those applying for a scholarship to use during a specific semester must submit by appropriate deadline below:

Fall Semester - August 15
Spring Semester - December 15
Summer Semester - May 15

Students can receive:
- 90% of tuition and book costs
- $65/semester travel stipend
- 3 hours of paid release time per week, while you are in school
- $600 bonus, paid in at least two payments, over the course of the year following successful completion of 9-15 credit hours leading toward your Associate or Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education

Eligibility requirements can be found HERE and on the Child Care Aware of MN website at childcareawaremn.org, along with applications and forms for downloading, and contact information for any questions or concerns.

Form specific questions or concerns, contact the Child Care Aware of MN office and ask for the T.E.A.C.H. MN Program at (651) 290-9704, or email [email protected].