Transcript Highlights:

• The license is discontinued or disqualified from a child care assistance program or another program due
• The license is discontinued or disqualified from a child care assistance program or another program due
• For licensed programs, there is the Child Care Aware program.
• And there are programs, and I believe the Division of Child Care has programs, coaches.
• There are programs, and the Division of Child Care has programs and coaches.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard brief presentations on Kentucky’s 2025 Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant and Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant. Department for Public Health staff explained that the preventive health block grant provides about $2.3 million annually and supports programs such as accreditation and performance improvement, local health department grants, community health workers, prescription assistance, asthma and COPD programs, workforce development, and a sexual assault programs set-aside. They said the Title V block grant provides about $11.7 million, with 35% directed to children and youth with special health care needs and 65% to maternal and child health populations, largely through local health departments and a five-year needs assessment process. After no questions, a motion was made and seconded to approve both block grants. The roll call vote passed 19-0, and the two block grants were approved. The committee then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The next item was a discussion of the child waiver created in House Bill 6. Committee members raised concerns that the proposed 1915(c) waiver did not match the legislature’s intent, which they said was to move children from the Michelle P. waiver to free slots for adults. Cabinet officials from DCBS, behavioral health, and Medicaid described the proposed “Community Health for Improved Lives and Development” waiver as a targeted home- and community-based program for children under 21 with severe behavioral health or developmental needs, including those stepping down from inpatient or residential care or at risk of out-of-home placement. They said the waiver is designed for about 100 slots, uses a standardized needs-based assessment, and includes case management, community living supports, home modifications, respite, supervised residential care, and clinical therapeutic services. Officials said the public comment period ended July 15, responses are being compiled for August submission to CMS, and the waiver is part of the broader Families First initiative.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota government programs, know child care is outrageously know child care is outrageously expensive
• <00:02:56.600> care<00:02:56.760> program<00:02:57.160> in fraud in the child
• care program in fraud in the child care program in Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, Governor<00:02:59.240
• Child Care Assistance Program Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program was<00:57:06.280> vulnerable
• proven fraud in the child care program. proven fraud in the child care program.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up an urgency motion to recall House File 3819 from committee and advance it to final passage. Supporters said the bill was needed to address fraud in the child care assistance program (CCAP), citing recent FBI raids on child care centers, prior audit findings, and long-standing concerns about weak oversight. They described the bill as restoring a penalty of perjury for attendance records, requiring electronic attendance tracking, mandating unannounced inspections, and requiring camera monitoring for higher-funded providers so the state can verify attendance and reduce improper payments. Opponents argued the bill was not ready, raised concerns about cost, implementation, and the inclusion of camera surveillance, and said the language could create problems related to retention and possible misuse of video. One member said the state had already taken bipartisan action on child care fraud in prior sessions and that the larger fraud estimates being cited were overstated compared with convictions. Another member emphasized that electronic attendance monitoring was the one part they supported, but said the bill lacked clarity and a Senate companion. Members also discussed the history of CCAP fraud investigations, including earlier OLA reports, criminal investigations within DHS, and allegations that fraud vulnerabilities had been known for years. Supporters argued the bill would help recover taxpayer dollars and improve affordability by reducing fraud, while critics warned that added camera requirements could increase costs for providers and potentially threaten child care center viability. The debate included questions and answers about video retention, with the bill author stating the intended retention period was 90 days, though a member noted that language was not clearly visible in the version before the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to really get a robust continuum of care, it is really all child-serving systems on board.
• But in the child welfare placements in congregate care, it's an example of a child welfare placement.
• of, some of the programs just don’t—the clinical staff do not feel competent to care for that.
• And residential treatment programs have primary care consultations, right?
• That's true of child care settings. That's true of schools. That's true across the board.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• child care worker.
• And we already have a litany of public assistance programs and child care assistance programs that are
• Should treat child care workers equally because I think every child care worker is valuable—almost every
• So, it has been frustrating to see that the programs designed for these child care workers are going
• So this amendment is building on the We have been having discussions about child care and child care

Transcript Highlights:

• still child care deserts.
• Family child care providers live in the actual practice and reality of child development every day, and
• I am a child care provider in Alameda, a large provider.
• Le Petit Papillon provides care for my middle child, and after-school care for my eldest.
• I'm here on behalf of Child Care Providers United, representing over 70,000 child care providers throughout

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for allowing us to talk about the child care program.
• Or it can also be an employer-based child care program.
• New child care provider can enter into the program. So, it's allowing for an expansion.
• We've made loans to child care centers through our commercial lending program.
• So I am very, very excited having administered in-home child care programs. ...programs with 56 small

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:58:43.040> care<00:58:43.359> programs different types of child care programs different
• So, we're looking to support family child care programs as they open.
• So, we're looking to support family child care programs as they open.
• So, we're looking to support family child care programs as they open.
• care programs as support family child care programs as they<01:04:34.400> open.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met with DHS Chief Financial Officer Nathan White to receive an update on the department’s budget lapse and vacancy rates. White explained the difference between the “back-of-the-budget” reduction and lapse assumptions, saying DHS is facing a current biennium reduction of about $23 million and estimating roughly a $60 million general fund lapse in state fiscal year 2025, compared with about $13.5 million the prior year. He said DHS’s lapse is driven largely by program utilization, labor market conditions, contract spending, and statutory carry-forwards in areas such as Medicaid and developmental disabilities, which tend to produce a smaller lapse in the first year of the biennium and a larger one in the second year. He also noted that the House and Senate budgets differ on some operating items, including Medicaid rates, with the Senate having struck a House proposal to reduce rates by 3%. Members questioned White about whether DHS ever spends down lapse money on last-minute purchases. He said the department does not engage in that practice, though it does retain some flexibility in its facilities budget for emergencies. He also described the process for transferring funds within and between class lines, including the need for fiscal committee approval above statutory thresholds, and gave examples such as moving funds to cover overtime in the SYSC budget and to ensure Medicaid payments for nursing facilities. White said such transfers are public and transparent and are reviewed by the governor and Executive Council. The committee then discussed DHS staffing. White said the department has a little over 3,200 authorized positions, with a vacancy rate around 14.5%, and that a hiring freeze had been imposed a few months earlier while exempting direct care positions. He said DHS is planning for about a $30 million general fund reduction to personnel, equivalent to just under 400 positions, and is managing postings centrally to stay within budget by July 1. In response to questions about the loss of about $80 million in federal funds, White and Associate Commissioner Patricia Tilly said DHS avoided layoffs by shifting staff into vacant positions, but that the cuts affected community contracts, public health workers, laboratory work, and some IT/data projects. Tilly said roughly 20 positions were affected, most were reassigned, a few staff left voluntarily, and the department has less flexibility going forward if more federal funding ends.

Transcript Highlights:

• still child care deserts.
• Family child care providers live in the actual practice and reality of child development every day, and
• I am a child care provider in Alameda, a large provider.
• Le Petit Papillon provides care for my middle child, and after-school care for my eldest.
• I'm here on behalf of the child care providers united, representing over 70,000 child care providers

Summary: The hearing covered several child welfare, human services, tribal housing, child care, and long-term care bills. SB 1099 would clarify local governments’ authority to provide state or local public benefits to all residents under PRWORA; SB 1190 would regulate private youth transport services by requiring permits, background checks, training, and bans on blindfolds, hoods, restraints, and overnight pickups; SB 1322 would streamline tribal access to Community Care Expansion housing grants and better align the process with tribal sovereignty; SB 1109 would require an annual license renewal review for STRTPs with five or more Type A citations in a year; SB 1234 would require fentanyl testing in juvenile dependency cases when a court finds a risk of fentanyl use; SB 991 would require DSS to identify the specific type of abuse on its public licensing database; SB 1200 would redefine “infant” for family child care ratio purposes as under 18 months; and SB 1345 would strengthen foster youth rights regarding access to and dignified transport of personal belongings. The committee also approved a consent calendar including SB 534, SB 1410, and SB 1421. Testimony was largely in support of the measures, often from authors, advocates, county officials, and people with lived experience. Supporters of SB 1190 described traumatic youth transport practices and argued for basic safety standards. SB 1322 supporters said tribal grantees face unnecessary delays and collateral demands that conflict with sovereignty. SB 1109 drew support from county probation officers who cited repeated serious violations and public safety concerns at STRTPs, while the chair ultimately opposed the bill as duplicative of existing CDSS authority. SB 1234 drew emotional support from a grandparent who lost a child to fentanyl, but also opposition from the Drug Policy Alliance and a dependency attorney, who argued the bill was redundant, vague, and could create biased or unnecessary testing; amendments were accepted to narrow the standard. SB 991 supporters said the public needs more specific information about abuse findings, SB 1200 supporters said the change would expand infant care capacity and help working families, and SB 1345 supporters said foster youth deserve dignity rather than having belongings packed in trash bags. Votes were taken after quorum was established. SB 991, SB 1200, SB 1345, SB 1190, SB 1234, SB 1322, and SB 1099 were all reported out of committee, most on unanimous or near-unanimous votes; SB 1234 passed 6-0 as amended to Appropriations, and SB 1099 later had a vote change recorded, ending 5-1. SB 1109 did not advance after the motion failed for lack of a second, and it was held in committee. The committee then adjourned and transitioned into an oversight hearing reviewing the outcomes of AB 2247 (placement stability and notice protections for foster youth) and AB 2496, with presenters discussing how the earlier foster youth placement law has changed practice and the importance of dignity, notice, and youth voice in placement decisions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the child care assistance program, also known as a child care subsidy.
• That is the child care assistance program, also known as a child care subsidy.
• That is the child care assistance program, also known as a child care subsidy.
• That is the child care assistance program, also known as a child care subsidy.
• That is the child care assistance program, also known as a child care subsidy.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee held a Division 3 budget work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Economic Stability. Karen Hebert, the division director, and Nathan White, DHHS chief financial officer, walked members through the governor’s operating budget pages and a briefing book, explaining that the division was consolidated in 2018 and serves programs aimed at financial stability, poverty reduction, child care access, and related supports. Members repeatedly asked for clearer breakdowns of general fund spending, historical growth since consolidation, and how the division’s broad mission areas map onto specific budget lines. A major portion of the discussion centered on the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start collaboration and the child care subsidy program. Hebert said the child care scholarship/subsidy helps low- and moderate-income families access daycare so parents can work, attend school, or receive treatment, and that eligibility is based on state median income up to 85%. She reported a 45% increase in utilization, 4,032 children receiving daycare support as of the end of January, and about 15% of eligible children being served. She also described the quality improvement system “Granite Steps for Quality,” with 160 providers enrolled out of 717 licensed programs, and noted that 1,200 child care professionals added credentials in the last year. Members pressed for cost-benefit information, asking for data on how much the state pays, how many providers and children are served, and whether the department could quantify unmet need. The witnesses said some projects were funded with short-term ARPA child care dollars and that detailed cost data for specific examples, such as the Gorm Community Learning Center expansion, would need to be looked up. They also explained that the child care fund is a federal block grant with required spending set-asides of 9% for quality, 3% for infants and toddlers, and up to 5% for administration, and that unused funds remain available. The committee also reviewed slide 10’s accounting units, including that the Child Care Workforce Fund is 100% general funds and was created as a priority item under HB 2 from the 2024 session, while some other child care-related units are 100% federal funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• care law enforcement may place a child into protective custody or a medical provider may place a child
• If there is no parent to provide supervision and care for the child, the court can remove that child
• And care for the child, the court can remove that child from the legal care of the parents and put them
• Parent Child Assistance Program is a phenomenal program, zero to three.
• And the only way you can enter that program is if you're a Spokane resident and shelter care has been

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on child welfare dependency, focusing on implementation of HB 1227 (Keeping Families Together) and SB 6109 (the fentanyl response bill), along with related data and system updates. DCYF first reviewed the dependency process, explaining intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, and review hearings, and emphasized that removal standards are separate from service provision and that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different stages. DCYF said 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with relatives or suitable others. The department also said 6109 directs courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added legal liaisons to support staff in court preparation. DCYF presented data showing that entries into out-of-home care declined after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels. The agency also reported a sharp increase in reviewable critical incidents in 2022-2025, especially near-fatalities, which it linked to the opioid and fentanyl crisis, parental stress, and system complexity. DCYF said it has responded with statewide Safe Child Councils, staff consultations, hotspot monitoring, and additional training, and noted that some contracted services authorized under 6109 were not implemented because of fiscal constraints. Senators asked about where children are in the process, who participates in court, the timing of data releases, age breakdowns, and geographic hotspots. Advocates and lived-experience witnesses from LCYC and a family intervention clinic argued that 1227 has not prevented courts from removing children when necessary and said the law appropriately requires the state to show a causal link between home conditions and risk. They said 6109 appropriately highlights fentanyl’s danger, but stressed that the larger issue is lack of prevention and treatment resources, inconsistent county-by-county practice, and insufficient supports such as inpatient beds, family treatment, housing, transportation, and third-party safety plan participants. A parent ally described how early support, peer guidance, and kin placement helped her achieve recovery and stability after losing parental rights in an earlier case. The committee also heard an update on SB 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, found that some data already exist while other measures need development, and recommended a phased data collection plan, a restored data-sharing agreement between AOC and DCYF, and a standing cross-agency work group. AOC said its dependency data system lapsed when the prior agreement expired in June 2025 and needs to be rebuilt. The meeting also included a brief update on bridge housing for youth exiting inpatient treatment, with presenters saying two programs are now open, one in King County and one in Spokane, and a short introduction to juvenile rehabilitation capacity updates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• of our child welfare IT system, meeting federal requirements for the child care assistance program,
• of our child welfare IT system, meeting federal requirements for the child care assistance program,
• or<00:03:04.080> CCAP child care assistance program or CCAP child care assistance program
• State law provides that child care programs located in a child care access equity area are those that
• State law provides that child care programs located in a child care access equity area are those that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• care and not enough child care slots.
• I'm a former family child care educator on a military base.
• I'm a former family child care educator on a military base.
• I'm a child care provider in Solano County.
• I've been a large child care provider since 2008, and... ...child care providers since 2008, and I support

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have CCTR, general child care, state preschool, and also private pay child care center programs in
• For families to access adequately funded and staffed child care programs, we need reimbursement rates
• rely on consistent and high-quality child care.
• Child Care Resource Center alone has over 19,000 children waiting for care.
• Supporting and working with local child care resource and referral programs across the state, I wanted

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Please take up tab one: presentation and discussion by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare on child
• So that's not child count—12 to 15 investigations. And what is the child count?
• placed in care.
• But not an increased amount from the CBC, but a standard rate for a child placed in care.
• The child was then released. The child was then released.

Summary: The committee heard three presentations focused on child welfare workforce development and the needs of children in Florida’s dependency system. First, the Florida Institute for Child Welfare described its Grow Center and related initiatives, including academic curriculum enhancements, simulations, virtual reality training, coaching, on-demand learning, advanced certifications, and the planned Tallahassee learning lab opening in January 2026. Members asked about conflict resolution, domestic violence, addiction, and microcredentials; the presenter said the institute is expanding training in those areas and is working with DCF to align advanced certifications with the department’s career ladder. The Department of Children and Families then presented on the Continue the Mission initiative, which recruits veterans, military spouses, and former law enforcement officers into CPI, API, and case management roles. DCF said it has held more than 240 hiring events and hired 372 such workers since launch, while also improving recruitment and retention through higher starting pay, streamlined hiring, rebranding, wellness supports, and enhanced pre-service training. Senators asked about PTSD concerns, staffing levels, caseloads, hotline vacancies, and salaries; DCF said it had not seen direct PTSD issues from the hiring effort and provided figures including a $50,000 starting salary for CPIs, $37,000 for APIs, and average caseloads of 12 to 15 investigations for CPIs and about 10 for APIs. Finally, DCF discussed the increased acuity of children in the dependency system, explaining that fewer children are entering care overall but those who do often have more complex behavioral, mental health, developmental, or medical needs. The department highlighted a new Behavioral Qualified Residential Treatment Program (BQRTP) designed for youth who need more intensive support than traditional foster or group home settings but do not require inpatient psychiatric treatment; one facility is licensed with 12 of 14 beds filled, and DCF said it is seeking funding for placement for 230 youth total. Members pressed for details on licensure timelines, standards, funding, and the handling of crossover youth and lockouts, and DCF said it uses braided funding and works with DJJ, APD, and lead agencies through local and state review teams. A representative of the Florida Coalition for Children also testified, saying the issue is complex and multi-year, and that the coalition is working on possible legislative and programmatic solutions. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after the presentations and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing about our child care services program is the direct benefit it has to employers.
• care program serving in child care deserts such as Jim Hawk County, Duval, and Webb Counties.
• And create a child care innovative grant program to incentivize more child care throughout our communities
• budget for the Child Care Services program.
• One of those is the Child Care Innovation Pilot Program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• providers who depend on the New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program at the Ark Learning Center.
• The regular New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program, their cost shares are so high that the Ark
• The New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program must continue, but with improved accessibility, and
• The regular New Hampshire Child Care Scholarship Program, their cost shares are so high that the Ark
• Thank you all. highquality Child Care Program the highquality Child Care Program the workforce<03:57:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee opened a public hearing on House Bills 1 and 2, which concern the governor’s proposed FY 2026-2027 budget. The chair explained that the committee must fit the budget to House Ways and Means revenue, which is about $800 million below the governor’s estimate in an almost $16 billion budget. He also noted a projected current-budget overspend, the impact of recently passed legislation, possible fee updates, no new tax proposals at that time, and the importance of federal funding and Medicaid stability. Testimony was limited to three minutes, with the chair asking speakers to avoid duplication. Much of the testimony focused on Medicaid, disability services, and home- and community-based care. Speakers urged the committee to restore or protect funding for transportation, Medicaid, day programs, in-home supports, and behavioral health services. Several individuals and providers described how cuts would affect people with disabilities, medically fragile children, and families who rely on services to remain employed and avoid institutional care. A home care provider argued that a proposed 3% Medicaid cut would increase hospitalizations and costs, while a behavioral health representative asked for sustainable Medicaid rates, uncompensated care support, housing resources, and continued funding for community behavioral health clinics. Another major topic was the Group II retirement provisions in HB 2 for public safety workers. Representatives from police, fire, corrections, probation/parole, and related associations testified in support, saying prior pension changes hurt recruitment and retention, pushed experienced workers to neighboring states, and should be reversed to restore promised benefits. They argued the provisions would help keep public safety careers viable and honor commitments made to first responders. An executive counselor also warned that when the state shifts costs away from itself, local property taxpayers bear the burden, and she opposed cost shifts such as Medicaid premiums and universal vouchers. A separate speaker urged funding public schools rather than universal vouchers, arguing vouchers can leave other students behind as resources are diverted.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even with improved income stability, it is still difficult to access child care, health care, education
• Child care homes are essential to California's child care system, especially for working-class immigrant
• With me today are child care providers Vicki Ramirez and Charlotte Neal.
• facilitator with our Child Care Providers United Training Fund.
• So I'm proud of our child care And ultimately, the children that they're caring for.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Human Services heard a lengthy agenda of bills focused largely on disability services, child welfare, foster youth, family stability, and crisis response. AB 1575 would update the Lanterman Act to use person-first language and clarify respite services so in-home respite can include safe community access; supporters from disability organizations said it would improve dignity and consistency, and there was no opposition. AB 2470 would create a statewide one-stop reentry program for survivors of intimate partner violence to replace documents, repair financial harm, and improve access to housing and benefits; the Little Hoover Commission testified in support, and the bill drew no opposition. AB 2510 would expand CalWORKs family reunification supports so parents can keep receiving aid and child care during reunification, with advocates saying current rules create unnecessary barriers; county welfare directors supported it. AB 2585 would expand guaranteed income pilots to rural and underserved communities, with testimony emphasizing the need for data from places like the Central Valley. AB 1932, the “Crises Act 2.0,” would continue and strengthen community-based mental health crisis response; the bill drew extensive emotional support from family members, advocates, and many organizations, with no opposition. AB 1925 would require a feasibility study on a statewide permanent disability certification process to reduce repeated verification burdens; it passed with broad support from disability advocates and independent living centers, and the committee voted 4-0 to send it to Appropriations. AB 2189 would fund a statewide special education parent action network; it passed as amended to the Assembly Education Committee after some opposition unless amended over concerns about using state funds for advocacy infrastructure. AB 2684 would allow out-of-state nonminor dependents to do monthly social worker visits virtually, with in-person visits still required quarterly; it passed to Judiciary. AB 1967 would expand pathways for older youth experiencing homelessness or failed adoptions to enter or reenter foster care and receive services; it passed to Appropriations. AB 2126 would create a targeted background-check exemption for current and former foster youth working as peer partners, and after testimony from a former foster youth and some discussion about safeguards, it passed as amended to Public Safety. AB 2379 would require DSS to notify family child care providers of their constitutional rights and provide multilingual training regarding immigration enforcement; it passed to Judiciary. The committee also began hearing AB 2299, which would respond to federal SNAP/CalFresh cuts and upcoming work-reporting changes, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We take up tab one presentation and discussion by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare on Child welfare
• welfare workers into our programming.
• Have fidelity over the actual program.
• We heard, you know, about the grow program and what if Suu is you know, about the grow program and what
• placed in care.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That means a nature-based family child care program, a center in a small town, and a school-based program
• care programs.
• > a family child care program, a center in a family child care program, a center in a small<00
• <00:37:08.640> care do the work, family child care do the work, family child care professionals
• Um, so just in closing, I feel like child care programs in Minnesota are really being squeezed towards

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The presentation focused on Think Small’s recommendations for Minnesota child care licensing modernization, including a proposed three-tier system for early care and education: unregulated “trusted caregivers,” state-licensed health and safety programs, and “recognized” early care and education programs that would pursue board-approved quality pathways. Dr. Nicole Smarillo said the recommendations came from an extensive engagement process with providers and field experts, and emphasized that the goal is not deregulation but a right-sized system with clearer funding aligned to state expectations, a reduced and more health-and-safety-focused licensing framework, and a profession-led quality system with multiple pathways rather than a single rating model. A major recommendation was creating a Minnesota Board of Early Care and Education with real decision-making power, made up of providers, families, and experts. The board would set quality expectations, approve multiple recognition pathways, address professional qualifications, advise on funding and supports, and monitor policy impacts on child outcomes, supply, and workforce stability. Presenters said the current Parent Aware system would be replaced in this future model, and that programs would have a roadmap from health-and-safety licensing to a time-limited candidate status and then to recognized program status. Several providers testified in support of the framework. Shauna Maranovich said the process welcomed field voices and produced recommendations grounded in proximity expertise. Cindy Cunningham, a licensed family child care provider, said the proposal reflected provider feedback, supported a Minnesota-specific model, and would separate health and safety licensing from quality improvement while reducing fear-based enforcement. Maria Harms, a child care center operator, said current licensing is overly burdensome and that the board and multiple pathways would better reflect day-to-day practice and reduce silos across program types. Candace Yates of Child Care Aware of Minnesota supported aligning supports with quality pathways and said the system needs a shared floor for quality and more continuous, less fragmented support. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• This Senate Bill 241 substitute codifies the Child Care Assistance Program, and it creates stability
• The Child Care Assistance Program creates stability in the system.
• or a child care program at a university, at a school, they could get transportation money.
• Care Development and programs authorized by the federal Child Care Development Block Grant as of 1990
• and provide child care.

Keywords: 996, all