Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families received a Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Discretionary award of $46.3 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (HHS ACF), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2028. Under CFDA 93.575, this block grant funds child care subsidies—primarily through vouchers and certificates—to help low-income families access affordable child care services across Minnesota. The award also supports quality improvement initiatives for both subsidized and unsubsidized child care, workforce development, and early childhood education infrastructure enhancement within the state.

As the designated lead agency for Minnesota's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), the state department administers these federal resources in accordance with its three-year CCDF plan, which underwent Administration for Children and Families review and approval. The department coordinates the provision of child care services with other federal, state, and local child care and early childhood development programs while maintaining compliance with statutory requirements under the CCDBG Act, including implementation of sliding fee scales and payment rate certifications.