[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6619407,"mediaKeyId","2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4","parentId",2836316,"title","House committee hears bills to extend childcare facility repair grants and DEED childcare economic development funding","audioSeconds",1000,"startMs",1505000,"endMs",2505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4&start=1505&end=2505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4/thumbnail_1505000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619407/Minnesota/House-committee-hears-bills-to-extend-childcare-facility-repair-grants-and-DEED-childcare-economic-development-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619407-45f19065d78dc2098313bbdeed54e660/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195036&Signature=JoOhHysMppBJXch7brnhJe-aNZKNWwf4pBBDLp-l9sPoAR~bB7RP56bZe-MLtqiAjmRCffSNHR4AeKoXgMBXnChpNOd0x15LzMydLjab9pEka96U71x2S6-t3~Z9A7lY82ZjSnVH2MRC~MYDkbJJya4nQppvjcTolsE9Zj1SGjUaEtBASErACF0mJOm-xvQdpALktj31~S3GvbHZkF2wGFsNXGpI--Fpqj~2Fj1LBuEZpAUNmVwOHJZzmTPiJROgNZsSItJxSa5SEWxRKWtxMeFhjsg1Bd7KoXpjMRDVLDxkS4Ar0GnBg-aJxX0XM1CEoqd933dBupQRtuo~yHJ2OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Legislature","date","2025-04-01T18:26:42.913Z","article","The House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee on March 28 considered House File 2582, a bill to continue and expand state grants intended to increase childcare capacity across Minnesota.

Supporters told the committee that two existing grant programs have helped create childcare slots and kept small providers open, and they urged continued funding. Suzanne Pearl, Minnesota director for First Children’s Finance, said the Minnesota Childcare Facility Revitalization Grant Program has provided small awards to address safety and licensing-related repairs, noting, “Without further funding, the program will end.”

The committee heard that the facility grants, implemented since 2022, capped awards at $20,000 for centers and $15,000 for licensed family childcare. Pearl said the program prioritized projects that affect health, safety or licensing compliance and that the average award was about $9,000. First Children’s Finance accepted 650 applications for the most recent round but funded 104 awards.

Representative Fue Lee, the bill’s author, told members the underlying appropriation would provide $2.5 million in fiscal years 2026–27 to continue the facility revitalization program. Lee said the A1 amendment adopted in committee would add funding for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Childcare Economic Development Grant Program, which provides community-level grants to create slots through capital, planning, and other local investments.

Scott Marquardt, president of the Southwest Initiative Foundation, told the committee that communities in Greater Minnesota face acute shortages and described the foundation’s use of state dollars for local planning, technical assistance and private-sector engagement. Darriel Dannen of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) said DEED’s program was designed to allocate at least 50% of funds to Greater Minnesota; she said historical awards have largely focused on Greater Minnesota need.

Committee members asked about geographic targeting. Pearl said the facility grants were intentionally accessible to smaller, single-site providers and that 58% of funding had gone to Greater Minnesota; she added that two-thirds of family child care awards went to Greater Minnesota. Dannen reiterated that the DEED program requires at least half of funds be spent outside the Twin Cities metro.

The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote and laid HF 2582 over for future consideration.

The testimony provided program details committee members identified as relevant to budget choices the committee faces this session, including how small, targeted grants have sometimes unlocked additional slots—for example, by paying for a fence or flooring that allowed a provider to serve more children.

Next steps: committee chairs indicated budget negotiations are ongoing and that the bill will be revisited as leaders finalize allocations.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25","oneSentenceSummary","The House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee on March 28 considered House File 2582, a bill to continue and expand state grants intended to increase childcare capacity across Minnesota.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MN, Minnesota","taxId",77817,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619394,"Committee hears request to restore Minnesota Youth Program funding for paid work experience and career advising",494,5811000,6305000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4&start=5811&end=6305","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4/thumbnail_5811000.jpg","/articles/6619394/Minnesota/Committee-hears-request-to-restore-Minnesota-Youth-Program-funding-for-paid-work-experience-and-career-advising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619394-c8180fc1151eced143fdd4c3fd97da02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195036&Signature=nXrhupypr-RPBCcuJld5xMvPbSaHVby21O0~tBVqldExLMWwem1Nl3V3rTO14EjdvO7qPLnK-3OW7vs2X4JgP1UetgvL0ViSEyjXnVNdcfs~8qRivWGHux7yUZ1gWONaJQnxR~a3WEaOJQPvijLRLGBDcANmTBEQhIOFlcH-px4T4JmltSDmRwDkrll1QFLe4mGaeHcNvv3sJgzmlz8IcvJiAiZok1GcwbChbXIgZs-wriI72kdU3Rgm6XrVdRNTDzDI~Qoi5WHtb1hUlbOR-2DVamzt3eGelvdNui-5DPehKSaVD6pCpg1aMr6VYYhvZKy6v9kE90bqcSmTBsjrGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard testimony in support of House File 2039, an appropriation to continue funding for the Minnesota Youth Program (MYP), which channels state money through local workforce development boards to subsidize paid work experience, career advising and in‑school outreach for youth ages 14–24.

Nicole Swanson of the Minnesota Association of Workforce Boards said investment in MYP produced measurable outcomes last year, including paid placements for thousands of young people and expanded in‑school services. Swanson told the committee that the program’s appropriations had not increased from $4 million (a long‑standing base) until the legislature increased funding in the previous session, and she warned that reductions would force providers to limit placements.

Aiden Grama, a Rochester youth who participated in a local MYP cohort, described hands‑on construction training, leadership development and how the experience helped him identify a future career path. Grama told the committee the program gave him practical skills and paid work experience that he would not otherwise have had.

Swanson said local workforce boards were prepared to deliver MYP statewide and that the program fills gaps left by declining federal youth funding. The committee received a recorded video testimony that was not played in the hearing but will be circulated to members.

Representative Santamura urged continued investment, noting the program connects young people to employers and helps develop “work‑ready” skills that reduce barriers to long‑term employment.

The committee laid HF 2039 over for future consideration.

","Witnesses urged continued funding for the Minnesota Youth Program, which provides subsidized work experiences, career advising and in‑school outreach; proponents said recent increases expanded placements and outreach and that cuts would reduce opportunities for at‑risk youth.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619402,"Committee hears YWCA proposal to train early‑childhood teachers and amendment to subsidize childcare for providers",1618,4226000,5844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4&start=4226&end=5844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4/thumbnail_4226000.jpg","/articles/6619402/Minnesota/Committee-hears-YWCA-proposal-to-train-earlychildhood-teachers-and-amendment-to-subsidize-childcare-for-providers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619402-9509c2608cc506c4de385b0b0bc104e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195036&Signature=OuIgdgGE33FNoSPQe46z4VyEgA4fVpvCx6tldpmBd~K3Gigq6rmfZftA2aT009xyRCakSHs3jwtmS2Wubo1wMCFNKqyBecA757ZXAaVtrxrdDRq4H~w6UBaZnxOMy~Fea7bBzm~wlTSd8qeONrTCTYfZH8skZ1kZdpBVwf5SUHznIk1CockLsIYlbKAoAJKqf8vnYGEnZHr0tT6LUu4syU3i1QGpeU6bFck9NAjgvXUoUg7dsUHL3RFiecidup3gImvlWYiRYuRpBxxf9525Pp8F1qIvD4sCXkr7taO8xZkBexIQM18nZ4kCpm2h6diPOPbgvshsbMlPnOSddjlI1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House File 2266 would appropriate funds to the YWCA of Minneapolis to continue workforce development training for early‑childhood educators; the committee also approved an A1 amendment to provide subsidized childcare to eligible workers and providers.

Representative Nicole Santamura introduced the bill, which asks for $350,000 per year to support the YWCA’s early childhood education training program. Stephanie Thomas, vice president of Early Childhood Education and Workforce Development at the YWCA Minneapolis, described a program that provides 140 hours of training, a 500‑hour practicum, portfolio development and testing supports. Thomas said the program is typically virtual and serves participants statewide; recent grants allowed 144 participants during the prior grant cycle with 66 earning a Child Development Associate credential (CDA).

Lauren Spencer, assistant director at the YWCA Children’s Center South, said the program helped her earn a CDA, continue college, and advance to a management role. The committee then considered and adopted an A1 amendment that would also subsidize childcare for individuals who qualify for early learning scholarships or CCAP and who regularly provide care for children. Tiffany Behrends, a preschool teacher and single mother who testified in support of the A1 amendment, described earning $18 an hour and having an infant on a scholarship waiting list; she said the math of paying for infant care made wages insufficient.

Representative Santamura described the training program as a pathway into the field that removes cost barriers for participants; YWCA witnesses said training and testing costs can total roughly $1,200 plus testing and observer fees if paid out of pocket. Committee members discussed program reach and whether the YWCA’s virtual model could serve Greater Minnesota; Thomas said the program can serve anyone across the state and that participant recruitment often comes from center referrals.

The committee adopted the A1 amendment by voice vote and laid House File 2266, as amended, over for future consideration.

","The committee considered House File 2266, a request to continue YWCA Minneapolis early‑childhood workforce training statewide, and adopted an amendment to subsidize childcare for eligible childcare workers and providers on scholarship waiting lists.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619404,"Hennepin County pilot proposed to expand childcare for law‑enforcement and first responders",419,3129000,3548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4&start=3129&end=3548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4/thumbnail_3129000.jpg","/articles/6619404/Minnesota/Hennepin-County-pilot-proposed-to-expand-childcare-for-lawenforcement-and-first-responders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619404-7f334916e918ab97fe42678aada81743/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195036&Signature=fsc~CWlUcXzcd97QaCfaxMbpPv89MdmWK0em7jhbIsKsvbnZXi5TZ5kFzC0-Q3ZuKnHBw~mA4itRiiZBVSav8it8OhxbDRg2FZqLpfvhX7qtpDk6qkAQhtnKxa4xKAVl6UlrgGMAsxrVfK3p8JdcdP1h~6juZNCUlaiuRpyADS8ayrj7tVEKODqoRqWVDYJz-PIsv4-rPaQ-~gcvViMVok8gmflRJaW048u~WUoWdPZwa1boSJU-K1fAH1W0MwySkx4VSpFgxsVwb1cC8bxLXXADYIIEfvi37WeLy0Gymy3SdjOcv92tytHQ8VUxHnbqRdjYQYeBj4kU912gRCqM4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A proposal presented informally to the House Workforce, Labor and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee would pilot childcare targeted to law‑enforcement and first‑responder families in Hennepin County.

Representative Katizia Wootun introduced the concept as a pilot to test program design and outcomes before wider rollout. Sheriff DeWanna Witt of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said the county employs roughly 900 people whose long or unpredictable shifts make finding regular childcare difficult and that childcare is “a leading reason women leave or never enter law enforcement.”

Witt described a San Diego model she visited, where a law‑enforcement‑specific childcare center opened in 2024 and serves about 50 children of deputies. She said the Hennepin pilot would recruit a cohort of providers to serve sheriff’s office employees, leveraging Women Venture for recruitment, training and coordination.

Sheriff Witt and Representative Wootun framed the pilot as a workforce retention and recruitment measure: Witt said recruiting an officer can cost more than $100,000 on average and that affordable, convenient childcare could reduce turnover among sworn officers, corrections, telecommunicators and civilian staff.

Committee members asked whether local government partners (Hennepin County board) would participate; Witt said she had not yet brought the proposal to the county board and that the model could be adapted to nearby counties and agencies. Chairs and members discussed the merits of piloting in one county before considering multi‑county or statewide approaches.

The hearing treated the measure as informational; committee members said the idea merits further work and suggested exploring shared pilots with other counties and funding sources.

","Representative Katizia Wootun and Hennepin County Sheriff DeWanna Witt described a proposal to pilot law‑enforcement‑specific childcare in Hennepin County, modeled after a San Diego program, to address recruitment and retention challenges for shift workers.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619406,"Committee hears Women Venture pitch for $8 million to support childcare and food‑and‑ag small businesses",634,2520000,3154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4&start=2520&end=3154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2836316-666fcff36a89933e6f3976ed18d702d4/thumbnail_2520000.jpg","/articles/6619406/Minnesota/Committee-hears-Women-Venture-pitch-for-8-million-to-support-childcare-and-foodandag-small-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619406-5abb5d866f558f0abf0b41e648305ef6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195036&Signature=ne93fEUcp73ew0-p4IvSXW0GckeNBDRm-hP9tkJFT3YBKGUI6d5hFBokmPbHLHZmEY0OC06KFbpYDlMwLeMHOmPeYzwilNe7sqvS5LzK0DwRhneYCZRki302aY0M4VOi0QbfZbQQVpAU21S4PlLQ8NlcJIeLsqLoCX5Wz3fkf4RBqvZYWNEGDZsoZ8udBKFdvDwHdmWIrjShCEioOVjVruDyIgvUqyPU1Bvo6aDR3EtXvAs6mNBCpnLMzTjYWWGZ0qqkOjVb5IZNM54a3MiQVe4zhp-40saznleiCWRi-mpV9~fIpgGNcvS8hD-WClL-5EygPpuP-dE~qquolZiEPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee on March 28 heard Representative Katizia Wootun’s House File 2518, a proposal that would direct $8 million to Women Venture to expand training, grants and loans for childcare and food‑and‑ag small businesses statewide.

Leanne Rastichak, chief executive officer of Women Venture, told the committee the organization is a community development financial institution and a U.S. Small Business Administration Women’s Business Center that already serves clients in 80 of Minnesota’s 87 counties. She said Women Venture’s initial state investment had outpaced projections: nearly 800 clients served, more than 3,400 service hours delivered, and more than 2,200 jobs created or sustained.

Rastichak and Representative Katizia Wootun told members the proposal would expand services that help childcare providers improve business operations, access capital, and participate in a shared‑services model for accounting and human resources. The program also supports food and agricultural businesses across the supply chain, Rastichak said.

Tyra Payer, an Indigenous food entrepreneur who testified, described using Women Venture services to move into a commercial kitchen, buy equipment, and obtain a wholesale license. “This support is helping me scale my business while staying engaged in the local food system,” Payer said.

Representative Wootun framed the bill as workforce and economic development: better‑supported childcare and small businesses help parents work, stabilize main‑street economies and expand employment options for women and nonbinary entrepreneurs.

The committee laid House File 2518 over for future consideration.

","Witnesses for Women Venture told the committee the nonprofit’s training, microloan and shared‑services model has expanded across Minnesota and that an $8 million request would accelerate outreach to childcare providers and food‑ag entrepreneurs.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee hears bills to extend childcare facility repair grants and DEED childcare economic development funding

Committee hears request to restore Minnesota Youth Program funding for paid work experience and career advising

Committee hears YWCA proposal to train early‑childhood teachers and amendment to subsidize childcare for providers

Hennepin County pilot proposed to expand childcare for law‑enforcement and first responders

Committee hears Women Venture pitch for $8 million to support childcare and food‑and‑ag small businesses