Region 5 Child Care Resource and Referral is a program of the Otter Tail Wadena Community Action Council, Inc. in New York Mills and is funded by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Serving Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties:

• FREE assistance with finding child care, 800-890-5399 or www.mnchildcare.org

• Child care grants for start up, emergencies, equipment, fences, toys, books, cribs, etc. are offered through the NE District CCRR, 1-800-890-5399, Grants Administrator, www.ccrr.pinetech.edu
  
  
• Licensing information regarding family child care and centers
  Click here for link
  
  
• For local and statewide Professional Development/Training classes and workshops/conferences: Minnesota Center for Professional Development, search by location, date or subject. www.mncpd.org
  
  
• THE MINNESOTA CHILD CARE CREDENTIAL COMING JANUARY 2011.
  The Minnesota Child Care Credential offers training in all aspects of caring for and nurturing children. Participating child care professionals will learn and update their skills in a community of caregivers. The Minnesota Child Care Credential lasts for a lifetime and establishes you as a professional committed to ongoing learning. Scholarships may be available.
  http://www.mnchildcare.org/providers/cc_credential.php
  
  
• Building Quality-Making Good Things Better in Child Care:
  Are you all about providing quality child care? About getting children ready for school? Want to learn more, grow and improve? We have a project which offers licensed family and center child care providers an opportunity to work with a trained consultant, who will make regular visits to your child care home/facility. The consultant will help you assess the quality of your child care environment using the highly respected “Child Care Environment Rating Scales.” We will then set goals to build on your strengths and address areas of need. Participating providers may receive, in addition to consultant visits, other resources including training, books/videos, gift cards or materials to help them meet goals. www.mnchildcare.org/quality/index.php
  

• Loans : First Children's Finance, 866-562-6801, www.firstchildrensfinance.org and also in Crow Wing, Todd, Morrison Counties at TCC, 218-829-2410 or 320-632-3691

• Learning opportunities/workshops, www.mnstreams.org statewide listing of Trainings by County and for the current Northeast District Child Care Resource & Referral Catalog of trainings & classes, go to www.ccrr.pinetech.edu

• Support and resources for those interested in becoming a provider and starting a child care program

• Free assistance to child care providers & programs with anything related to their business, program, children & development, special needs, behavior, environment, activities & curriculum, social/emotional/school readiness, communication, safety & health, etc. Scholarships & special projects/events and lending library resources are available.

• Services for non-licensed family, friend & neighbor (FFN) caregivers caring for children who may or may not be related to the caregiver. Grandparents are often providing this type of care. As funding allows, services include applying for up to $300 in supports for safety & developmental items such as carbon monoxide & smoke detectors, gates, books, puzzles, blocks, games, outdoor play equipment, etc., free CPR & First Aid and other classes/workshops, free Resource Kits with safety & health information, activity ideas, school readiness tips and resources on special needs, behavior issues, guidance and child development. Legal guardians or those who have custodial rights are not eligible for supports.

• Scholarships are now available to take an online class/training with MN CCRR Network's Eager to Learn program, www.eagertolearn.org

• Scholarships to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or to Renew your CDA are now available, For info on eligibility & application, please contact Linda Magel at (866) 807-6021 ext. 108 or lindam@mnchildcare.org

• TEACH scholarships, toll free 866-807-6021, www.mnchildcare.org for eligible child care providers, center & preschool program staff, Head Start & school age care staff, are available to take credit-based classes at colleges and/or online, paying 80% or more of costs.

• REETAIN, toll free 866-807-6021 , cash bonuses, $1000-$3,500 can be awarded to child care providers and center, preschool, head start and school age care staff, who meet the guidelines and who have earned a CDA credential, two or four year degree & higher. Applications at www.mnchildcare.org

• Community or county child care data & rates and general child care information:
  Call 1-800-890-5399 for the most recent child care rates in your community or go to http://www.pinetech.edu/business-and-partners/ccrr/ccrr-parent-services, scroll down to Paying for Child Care and click on Average Rates as of April of the current year.

• Outreach activities, presentations and resources for general public, communities, groups, agencies & organizations
  
  
  
  

   

Contact:
Denise Mauer at (800)422-7395 or
dmauer@otwcac.org

Main Office
P.O. Box L - 109 S Walker Ave
New York Mills, MN 56567

Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Satellite Office
125 W. Lincoln Ave - Suite 4
Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm