Emergency: All St. Louis County offices are now open to the public.
What to know when visiting a county building
Information on COVID-19, vaccines and testing
 
 

Child Care Assistance Biennial Plan

The biennial Child Care Assistance Program is now public and available for public comment. Please email comments on the plan to ESS@stlouiscountymn.gov

CCAP Biennial Plan 2022-2023 for Public Posting

The 2020-2021 CCAP Biennial Plan can be viewed through the end of 2021.

CCAP Biennial Plan 2020-2021 for Public Posting

 

Child Care Assistance

Paying for child care can be difficult for families with low incomes. Minnesota’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can help families who qualify.

Child Care Assistance along with the MN Department of Education's Early Learning Scholarship can help pay your child care expenses to eligible providers. To find licensed providers in your area, contact Parent Aware at 888-291-9811.

Child Care Licensing

Child care is an important resource for a healthy community. St. Louis County licenses Family In-Home Daycares located all through the county.

Locating a Child Care Provider

Parent Aware is Minnesota's resource for locating licensed providers in your area. 

DHS Licensing Lookup shows the current license status of licensed providers, and any corrective licensing actions the provider has received. If you have concerns about your daycare, contact MN DHS Maltreatment Intake and Licensing Complaints at 651-431-6600. 

 

St. Louis County maintains a map showing the locations of licensed family child care providers and licensed child care centers within St. Louis County

 http://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/childcareproviders


 

Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance Program

The Minnesota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) can assist in making quality child care affordable for income-eligible families. 
You may be eligible to get help for your child care expenses so you can work, look for work, or attend school.
 

How to Apply:

Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or via fax (218-733-2992) at any of these offices:
 
Government Services Center
ATTN: CCAP
320 W. 2nd St.
Duluth MN 55802
 
Northland Office Center - 2nd Floor
ATTN: CCAP
307 S. 1st St.
Virginia MN 55792
 
Hibbing Courthouse Annex
ATTN: CCAP
1814 E. 14th Ave.
Hibbing MN 55746
 
Ely Government Services Center
ATTN: CCAP
118 S 4th Ave
Ely MN 55731
 
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except on Federal holidays.
 
To have an application mailed to you, please call 218-726-2400.
To print an application, visit Child Care Assistance Program Application. 
You can also apply online at ApplyMN, Minnesota's secure online system for applying for cash, food support, emergency help, and child care assistance programs.
  

CCAP Plan

Minnesota Statute requires counties to submit a biennial Child Care Fund Plan to the commissioner. The Department of Human Services reviews and approves the County Child Care Fund Plans. St. Louis County Child Care Assistance Program Plan

CCAP Providers

Child Care providers must be registered in order to be reimbursed by child care assistance. If you are a provider you may register by calling 218-726-2064 or email childcare@stlouiscountymn.gov
 

Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider

St. Louis County is responsible for licensing family child care homes in the county. Providers who care for children from more than one family must be licensed. The county conducts orientations, background studies, home interviews, safety checks, recommends licensure, conducts investigations, and supports providers in meeting the health and safety needs of the children in the providers’ care.

To be licensed by St Louis County the following must be completed:
 
  • Attend Orientation Meeting
  • Application Paperwork
  • Background Check
  • Training Requirements
  • Home Visit by a Licensor
  • Fire Inspection
 


Once you and your home are in full compliance with child care licensing rules, the county will recommend that the Minnesota Department of Human Services issue you a license.

The licensing process will generally take between 5 to 9 months to complete. Barriers to licensure can include:
 
  • Background checks – everyone in your household or working in the day care must receive clearance.
  • Fences – locations near heavy traffic, railroads, or water hazards such as ponds, marshes, lakes, pools, or water features may require a fence.
  • Fire inspection and safety requirements – you may need to make changes to your home after fire or licensing inspections.
  • Your house – a licensor will check all areas of your house and property for certain safety items.


The first step to becoming licensed in St. Louis County is to attend one of our Orientation Meetings. To sign up to attend one of these meetings please contact us.

(218)726–2064 or childcare@stlouiscountymn.gov

2021 Child Care Licensing Orientation Dates (PDF)
 
 

Child Care Provider Resources

Food Programs

Food costs can be reimbursed to providers that serve healthy meals and snacks. Contact these organizations for more details.

Adults’ & Children’s Alliance
Milestones
Provider’s Choice, Inc.
 

Other Resources:


Child Care Aware of Minnesota supports the professional growth of child care providers by offering trainings and guidance to providers.
Develop connects providers to trainings and tracks their training progress.
First Children’s Finance provides loans and business-development assistance to high-quality child care businesses serving low- and moderate-income families.
Center for Inclusive Child Care provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota.
Entrepreneur Fund provides business advice and financing in NE MN and NW WI.
Tom Copeland's Blog has tax and legal articles specific to Licensed Child Care Providers.
 

Contact

Child Care Assistance

 

Child Care Licensing

218-726-2064
Email

All contacts

 

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