MN SF5356

Appropriates $1,500,000 from the workforce development fund in fiscal year 2025 to the commissioner of human services for purchasing and operating an online early childhood development professional educator program.

Requires the selected online provider to offer coursework in English and Spanish leading to a Child Development Associate Certificate, Continuing Education Units accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training, and health and safety courses meeting federal child care development block grant requirements.

Program membership must be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to Minnesota educators and residents working in or interested in licensed early education facilities including prekindergarten programs, child care centers, Head Start centers, and family child care homes.

Selected provider platform must include online courses based on research-based practices, content spanning birth to age three, interactive learning components, data capture systems, bilingual offerings, accessibility across devices, synchronous and asynchronous options, and a professional learning community with content experts.

Responsibilities, authorities, and appropriation transfer to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families once relevant transfers under Laws 2023, chapter 70, article 12, section 30, occur.