We, the providers, teachers, and parents of Kids Count on Us, have worked tirelessly to provide excellent care and education before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We enabled working families across the state to continue their essential roles. We stepped up our safety precautions to continue to educate and care for our 0-5 children, boosted our staff and technology to take on even more school-aged children.
We came through for the next generation of Minnesotans and their families across the state DESPITE a lack of resources and support. Many of the issues we face are not new and we can no longer bear the burden of the childcare crisis in our state.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. We deserve a VOICE in the decisions being made about us.
We call on Governor Walz and the MN legislature to prioritize and listen to families, community based centers, family child care providers, childcare workers and teachers.
$540 million in federal pandemic relief funding is coming to our state and should go to:
The $540 million dedicated to childcare stabilization grants is a good start, but it's not enough. As a state, we need to spend another $500 million of the $2.6 billion in federal discretionary funds on early childhood.