MN HF4583

Establishes the REETAIN (Retaining Early Educators Through Attaining Incentives Now) grant program to provide competitive grants to licensed child care professionals working at least 30 hours per week to incentivize workforce retention.

REETAIN grant eligibility requires 12 months in current position, career lattice step of six or higher, current membership with Minnesota quality improvement and registry tool, and agreement to stay 12 months upon receiving grant.

Increases tuition scholarships under the TEACH program from $5,000 to $10,000 per year and increases education incentives from minimum $100 to $250 for scholarship participants.

Appropriates $2,500,000 in fiscal year 2021 for REETAIN grants and $500,000 for TEACH program grants from the general fund.

Allows nonprofit organizations administering grants to use up to 10 percent of funds for administration, and reduces employer contribution requirement from 10 percent to at least 5 percent of scholarship costs.