Subdivision 1.Establishment; purpose.

The retaining early educators through attaining incentives now (REETAIN) grant program is established to provide competitive grants to incentivize well-trained child care professionals to remain in the workforce. The overall goal of the REETAIN grant program is to create more consistent care for children over time.

Subd. 2.Administration.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 119B.195

  • children: includes children by birth or adoption;

    (9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

    (10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

    (11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

    (14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

    (15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

    (16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

    (17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

    (18) "notary" means a notary public;

    (19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

    (20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.

The commissioner shall administer the REETAIN grant program through a grant to a nonprofit with the demonstrated ability to manage benefit programs for child care professionals. Up to ten percent of grant money may be used for administration of the grant program.

Subd. 3.Application.

Applicants must apply for the REETAIN grant program using the forms and according to timelines established by the commissioner.

Subd. 4.Eligibility.

(a) To be eligible for a grant, an applicant must:

(1) be licensed to provide child care or work for a licensed child care program;

(2) work directly with children at least 30 hours per week;

(3) have worked in the applicant’s current position for at least 12 months;

(4) agree to work in the early childhood care and education field for at least 12 months upon receiving a grant under this section;

(5) have a career lattice step of five or higher;

(6) have a current membership with the Minnesota quality improvement and registry tool;

(7) not be a current teacher education and compensation helps scholarship recipient; and

(8) meet any other requirements determined by the commissioner.

(b) Grant recipients must sign a contract agreeing to remain in the early childhood care and education field for 12 months.

Subd. 5.Grant awards.

Grant awards must be made annually and may be made up to an amount per recipient determined by the commissioner. Grant recipients may use grant money for program supplies, training, or personal expenses.

Subd. 6.Report.

By January 1 each year, the commissioner must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child care about the number of grants awarded to recipients and outcomes of the grant program since the last report.