Specifications include, but are not limited to: Designate and fund a system of child care resource and referral agencies. In Minnesota, these agencies are known as the “Child Care Aware of Minnesota system.” (Minnesota Statutes , section 119B.19) Provide grants for child care and school-age programs to start up, improve their quality, pay for training and development, purchasing technology, handle emergencies, and address the needs of immigrants and refugees. (Minnesota Statutes , section 119B.21) Encourage participation in a nationally recognized accreditation system for early childhood and school-age care programs and provide reimbursement for ½ the direct cost of accreditation fees. (Minnesota Statutes , section 119B.24) Enhance and expand child care availability of quality, affordable child care by providing business supports and loans. (Minnesota Statutes , section 119B.25) Establish and carry out the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), track progress toward improving access to high-quality child care programs, increasing the number of low-income children whose families can access quality programs, and increasing the number of children fully prepared for kindergarten. (Minnesota Statutes , section 124D.142) Develop and implement the Minnesota Early Childhood and School-Age Care Professional Development System to provide a seamless, integrated system of training and professional development for those providing care and education to children beginning at birth that supports child development and school success. (Laws of Minnesota 2007, chapter 147, article 2, section 56
