Summer 2018 Minnesota Newsletter
Director's Corner

First Children's Finance is Expanding

We just closed the last quarter of a very exciting year! On July 1 st , we launched six new virtual offices in Greater Minnesota. Our strategy is to imbed FCF staff within communities across the state and work closely with local leaders to provide customized on-demand services. Our team of child care business experts is working diligently to increase the supply of quality, affordable and culturally appropriate care across the entire state. In addition, we are pleased to announce that First Children’s Finance will be opening the first Child Care Business Development Center in Minneapolis within the next 3 weeks. This center will provide training, consulting and access to capital services to prospective and existing child care businesses in the 7 county metro area.

We are grateful to our partners and funders for embarking on this journey with us. 

Thank you,

Gertrude Matemba-Mutasa
Director, Minnesota and FCF Impact Investing

Six Communities in Minnesota Have Been Selected to Participate in the Rural Child Care Innovation Program

Through a competitive process, six communities with high child care needs have been selected to participate in the Rural Child Care Innovation Program (RCCIP). The Rural Childcare Innovation Program is an initiative of First Children’s Finance to address the challenges of early care and education in Greater Minnesota through the lens of economic development. The program uses an intensive community engagement approach designed to develop right-sized solutions that increase the sustainability and availability of high quality child care.

List of Communities Selected for RCCIP, 2018-2020:
  • Fairmont, MN
  • Howard Lake, MN
  • Quad Cities/Virginia, MN
  • Red Wing, MN
  • Becker County, MN
  • Kandiyohi County, MN
Join Our Team!

First Children’s Finance is adding a Business Development Manager (Metro) to our Minnesota team. Individuals with experience working in urban low income communities of color are encouraged to apply.

New Business Development Specialist Hired for Northwestern Minnesota
We are happy to announce Joan Bernston as a new addition to the First Children's Finance team! Joan will be providing consultation services to child care providers and communities dealing with child care shortages in Northwestern, MN.

Joan is a former licensed child care provider as well as creator of Back 2 Basics 4 Kids, a small business dedicated to providing children with quality art and craft supplies and educational toys. Joan has extensive experience as a workshop presenter at child care conferences and training's in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota.

Joan Berntson / Business Development Specialist – Northwestern Minnesota
612-279-6539
JoanB@firstchildrensfinance.org
Community Engagement

Innovative Solutions to Building Child Care Supply Presentation

Landon McKay and Jeff Andrews presented at this years Economic Development Association of Minnesota (EDAM) Summer Conference on Innovative Solutions to Building Child Care Supply. This seminar explored the extent and impact of the issue, root causes as well as best practices to increase the supply of quality and affordable care.

Thank you to EDAM for having us present at your seminar to discuss this very important issue!
Community Meeting to Address the Child Care Crisis in Todd County
Todd County has a shortage of approximately 411 full-time child care slots . To address this challenge, we are gathering members of the community and various stakeholders to discuss this important issue and work towards developing solutions to tackle this child care issue.Come be a part of the solution!

Date and Time: August 16th, 7:00 PM
Location:
Shepard of the Valley Lutheran Church
312 HWY 71 E
Clarissa, MN 56440


FCF Child Care Summit at the Initiative Foundation

First Children's Finance is partnering with all the Minnesota Initiative Foundations to address the current child care crisis. Recently, FCF and the Initiative Foundation partnered to host a Child Care Summit in Little Falls.

The summit provided an opportunity for you to learn about First Children's Finance and the innovative work they do to address child care needs throughout the state. The summit also explored roles and resources for local units of government, employers, and economic development partners to improve child care access.
First Children's Finance | 612-338-3023 | infomn@firstchildrensfinance.org | ruralchildcare.org