The Park Rapids Area League of Women Voters is hosting two forums – March 28 and April 26 – to raise awareness about the lack of child care providers and to find solutions.
The governor on Wednesday detailed his plan for bigger reimbursements for child care providers and tax credits for parents that could lower costs and improve access.
Minnesota often tops lists for most expensive child care in the U.S. Areas outside the Twin Cities metro lost more than 20,000 child care slots between 2000 and 2020.
Menahga School Board member Julia Kicker said, in the past, the district has lost good teachers due to lack of child care. She urged the school district to take action.
MAHUBE-OTWA Head Start will be moving its infant and toddler childcare program to the former Beds Plus building they purchased next to the MAHUBE-OTWA office in Park Rapids in the coming months.
Mary Thompson with the Heartland Lakes Development Commission (HLDC) said they have grant money available to help child care providers with training and startup costs.
