Milestones / Child Care Choices Inc

Child Care Choices, Inc.(CCCI) holds a contract with the State of Minnesota to sponsor the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. The program promotes proper nutrition for children in the care of licensed in-home child care providers by reimbursing them for a portion of their food costs for creditable meals. Child care providers keep daily records of attendance and meals served to children in their care, the information is then submitted to CCCI on claims electronically or on scanned menu reporting forms. The claims are reviewed for accuracy and allowable food served according to USDA regulations, then submitted to the State for final processing. Payment is made to CCCI for the grand total of claims and the payments are disbursed to each individual provider.

Child Care Choices, Inc. administers the Early Learning Scholarship Program statewide. This program is a State of Minnesota initiative to expand access to high quality early childhood education programs for children ages three to five from low-income families. These scholarships provide financial assistance for eligible families to enroll their children in high quality child care and early education programs participating in Parent Aware.

Child Care Choices, Inc. serves as the Child Care Aware, West/Central District site for 22 counties and 7W Regional services for Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright Counties. Through all services provided, Child Care Aware promotes high quality child care that meets the needs of young children and their families. Child Care Aware, West/Central provides Professional Development, Grants, and Parent Aware recruiting to all 22 counties within the District. Region 7W Child Care Aware provides community outreach and support to child care programs and Parent Aware Coaching. Child Care Aware at the Regional and District level, provides resources and tools to help individuals open a child care business. Child Care Aware also has components that offer services to Family, Friend, and Neighbor (legally non-licensed) child caregivers.

Child Care Choices, Inc. hosts a learning event each year to provide child care providers with the opportunity to receive education and training on issues affecting the child care profession. Child care providers receive creditable training hours that can be used to meet state licensing requirements. The learning event offers training on a variety of issues affecting all child care providers.