Northwest Minnesota Child Care Collaborative
Communities across Northwest Minnesota are experiencing a child care availability crisis that is impacting businesses and employers, children and families, and community vibrancy.
We’re not afraid to ask the hard questions, involve the right players, and work as a team to connect all the dots. Because making a positive impact takes vision, bold action, and long-term commitment.
Our shared goal is to increase the availability of quality child care slots in Northwest Minnesota.
Click on the map at your right to see the current state of child care in our region. Clicking on each county will provide the data to show the numbers of available child care slots and the need that is not yet being met.
Figures shown are based off of numbers provided by First Children’s Finance in 2023.
Learn more about how to become a child care provider
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has comprehensive information on its website to assist you as you explore this career path.
If you are considering starting a licensed family child care in your home, we recommend starting with this link here that provides information and resources specific to that option.
Frequently asked questions
What financial resources are available to assist child care providers in Northwest Minnesota?
First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs.
Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota.
The Center for Inclusive Child Care
Provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.
What other tools and contacts are available to help me as a child care provider?
Parent Aware
Parent Aware helps to improve, support and celebrate the strengths of child care and early education programs in Minnesota. DHS or Tribally licensed programs in Minnesota who have an active license in good standing, can pursue Parent Aware.
To learn more, or find a Parent Aware-rated program, visit ParentAware.org, email parentaware@caplp.org or call 218-979-0783.
Parent Aware recruiter:
Alicia Bauman
aliciab@caplp.org
Wayfinder Navigator information for Region 1
What is a Wayfinder Navigator? Learn more HERE.
Tri Valley Opportunity Council
Maureen Hams
218-281-5832
mhams@tvoc.org
Trista Cardinal
218-281-0188
trista.cardinal@tvoc.org
Polk/West Marshall, Red Lake/Norman
Natasha Stengrim
218-281-0188
natasha.stengrim@tvoc.org
Roseau/Kittson/East Marshall/Pennington
Wayfinder Navigator information for Region 2
What is a Wayfinder Navigator? Learn more HERE.
MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership
Dana Patsie
218-847-1385
dpatsie@mahube.org
Region 2 Wayfinder Startup and Retention Navigator
Sarah Stenberg
sstenberg@mahube.org
218-850-7450
Sue Monson (Friends, Family Neighbor)
218-530-7275 #234
218-790-9000 (c)
smonson@mahube.org
Empower to Educate
Do you love working with children? Are you interested in a meaningful career in child care and early childhood education? Empower to Educate is here for you. You will receive personal support from a local Workforce Advisor who can help guide you on your path.
Learn more about Empower to Education HERE.
Brittany Babcock
brittanyb@caplp.org
218-443-3283