MN HF4197

Restructures funding priorities for basic sliding fee child care assistance, eliminating the previous second priority for parents completing MFIP or diversionary work program transitions and making portable assistance families the new second priority.

Adds two new priority categories: third priority for families with at least one veteran parent, and fifth priority for families receiving transitional services who have completed MFIP or diversionary work program transitions.

Modifies the allocation formula for distributing state and federal child care funds to counties, increasing the waiting list allocation component from one-fourth to one-half of available funds and extending the look-back period from six to 12 months.

Implements a phase-in year for calendar year 2019, averaging the 2018 final allocation with amounts under the revised formula to transition to the new allocation methodology.

Takes effect July 1, 2018 for funding priorities and January 1, 2019 for the allocation formula changes.