Conducted through a partnership funded by:
Established by:
Collaborative Goal:
“To increase quality child care spots in Minnesota.”
Northwest Minnesota Child Care Collaborative Advisory Council
Lydia Pietruszweski, First Children’s Finance –
Patti Turney, Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Child Care –
Ruby Gurneau, Red Lake Nation Oshkiimaajitahdah –
Maureen Hams, Tri Valley Opportunity Council Child Care Aware –
Kim Lage, White Earth Child Care Early Childhood Program –
Missy Okeson, Northwest Minnesota Foundation –
Dana Patsie, MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Partnership Child Care Aware –
Financial Resources for Northwest Minnesota Child Care Providers:
First Children’s Finance
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.
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MN TRECC)
Offers grants, resources, technical assistance and outreach to Tribal Early Childhood Programs throughout the State of Minnesota.
Current Grant Opportunities
Parent Aware
$1000 – for programs that completed 20 hours of Building Quality coaching
$2500 – for programs that earned a 1-2-3 Star Rating
Child Care Aware
Start-Up grants: Available throughout the year. Maximum amount is $1000 for family providers and $2500 for centers.
Child Care Services grants: Application is available September 1st – 25th each year. Maximum amount is $1000 for family providers and $2500 for centers
Emergency Grants: Available throughout the year. There is no maximum amount, amount award is based on funding that is available.
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Tools & Resources for Northwest Minnesota Child Care Providers
Child Care Aware of Minnesota
Helping children succeed in school and life by supporting the professional growth of child care providers and connecting families to quality child .
Minnesota Tribal Resources for Early Childhood Care (MN TRECC)
The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and Families within the state of 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.
Bemidji Area Rural Child Care Collaborative
Click here to learn more about becoming a child care provider in Northwest Minnesota.
Get Started Today!
Resources By County
Beltrami County
| County Licenser/s |
Michele Voorhees (p) 218-333-4269 (e) michele.voorhees@co.beltrami.mn.us Amber Fuller (p) 218-333-4269 (e) amber.fuller@co.beltrami.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Clearwater County
| County Licenser/s | Sara Olson (p) 218-694-6164 (e) sara.olson@co.clearwater.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Hubbard County
| County Licenser | Leeza Branstrom (p) 218-732-2406 (e) lbranstrom@co.hubbard.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Kittson County
| County Licenser | Francie Pankratz (p) 218-843-2689 (e) fpankratz@co.kittson.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Lake of the Woods County
| County Licenser | Joanna Onstad (p) 218-634-4570 (e) joanna_o@co.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Marshall County
| County Licenser | Krissy McMahon (p) 218-745-5124 (e) krissy.mcmahon@co.marshall.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Mahnomen County
| County Licenser | Brandy Jones (p) 218-935-2568 (e) bjones@co.mahnomen.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Norman County
| County Licenser | Krista Wright (p) 218-784-5419 (e)krista.wright@co.norman.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Pennington County
| County Licenser | Jamie Danzl (p) 218-681-2880 ext. 272 (e) jldanzl@co.pennington.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Polk County
| County Licenser | Annabelle Narlock (p) 218-399-8536 (e) annabelle.narlock@co.polkmn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Red Lake County
| County Licenser | Sara Kollin (p) 218-253-4131 (e) sakollin@mail.co.red-lake.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
Roseau County
| County Licenser | Katie Gunderson (p) 218-463-2411 (e) katie.gunderson@co.roseau.mn.us |
| Child Care Aware |
Lynn Balstad, Child Care Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Lynn.Balstad@tvoc.org Ann Holub, Parent Aware (p) 800-543-7382 (e) Ann.Holub@tvoc.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
White Earth Tribal Resources
| Tribal Licenser | Kim Lage (e) kim.lage@whiteearth-nsn.gov |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Cindy Hurt (p) 218-632-3600 (e) churt@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
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Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
| White Earth Child Care | Provides high-quality, culturally based child development support, services, outreach and advocacy for children, families, child care providers and community on or near the White Earth Reservation to help our children succeed. |
Red Lake Tribal Resources
| Tribal Licenser | Ruby A Gurneau (p) 218-679-3350 ext 2609 (e) rgurneau@redlakenation.org |
| Child Care Aware |
Kathy Stenberg (p) 218-732-7204 (e) kstenberg@mahube.org Provides grants and scholarships that support the professional growth of child care providers in Minnesota. |
| Northwest Minnesota Foundation |
Missy Okeson (p) 218-759-6510 (e) missyo@nwmf.org Leads and supports collaborative efforts in communities to find innovative, sustainable solutions to their unique child care needs. |
| First Children’s Finance |
Joan Berntson (p) 218-766-1158 (e) joanb@firstchildrensfinance.org Provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses throughout Minnesota. |
| MnTRECC |
Patti Turney (e) Patti.turney@llojibwe.net The voice that connects and strengthens early education and child care services for American Indian Children and families within the state of Minnesota. |
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Red Lake Nation Child Care |
Providing high-quality, culturally based child development services, outreach and advocacy for children & families, child care providers and communities on or near the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Nation to aid in the success of our future generations. |
