Funding Notes

State funding renewed for the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Project in Northeast Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has awarded the Northland Foundation a $297,000 grant to expand outreach, engagement, training, and support for “informal” Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers in the region over the next 18 months.

DHS funding will help Northland and our local partners across the region bolster outreach to FFN caregivers – grandparents and other family members, neighbors, and friends who regularly provide care for young children. Partners host local “Play & Learn” small-group sessions that offer peer support, training, and a place to gain information and resources that help support the healthy development of young children.

“We are thrilled to receive funding to continue to support FFN caregivers,” said Zane Bail, Northland Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer. “We will be working with our existing 10 partners, as well as bringing on two new ones, to provide more opportunities for these important caregivers to enhance their skills, connect with peers, and learn about the benefits of becoming a Legal Non-Licensed provider.”

To learn more about the FFN Project and how to connect with our partners in the region, visit the Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Project page on our website. The FFN Project was also a featured story in our 2022-2023 Impact Report. For more information about FFN resources from the State of Minnesota at https://mn.gov/dhs/ffn-minnesota/.

Medica Foundation Funding Supports Early Care and Education Efforts

The Northland Foundation has received a $5,000 Rural Health Grant from the Medica Foundation.

Resources from the Medica Foundation will support professional development opportunities focused on early care and education topics, such as fostering social-emotional well-being of young children and their parents/caregivers; supporting inclusive and culturally response environments and services for young children and families; and offering strategies for providing trauma-informed care.

“We are so pleased to continue our longtime partnership with the Medica Foundation,” stated Tony Sertich, President of the Northland Foundation, “which will help us continue to support the health and well-being of young children and families living in rural northeast Minnesota.”