New Early Educator Benefits Program

The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is excited to offer a new program that provides selected benefits through September 2027 to individuals working in qualifying early care and education programs.

Early educators are critical to Minnesota, ensuring children thrive and providing care so that parents and caregivers can work or attend school, yet they often don’t have essential benefits. This benefits program provides participants up to $55 per month to be used toward selected benefits such as dental, vision, telehealth, teletherapy, life insurance and more.

Eligible individuals:
– Work in a licensed child care center, licensed family child care program, Tribally licensed program or certified Head Start program
– Work an average of at least 32 hours a week
– Work at least eight months a year
– Are 18 years of age or older

Additional requirements:
– If employed in a child care center or as a family child care assistant, individuals must provide two most recent pay stubs.
*Note: Family child care owners will not be asked to provide pay stubs.
– Individuals can not currently be receiving benefits through Minnesota Medical Assistance or Medicare.

Benefits:
The benefits program provides participants up to $55 per month through a third-party vendor, Optima Benefits and Payroll. This amount can be used toward selected benefits such as dental, vision, telehealth, teletherapy, life insurance and more. Some benefits may also support family members.

How to apply:
The application opens at 8 a.m. July 6, 2026, and closes at 5 p.m. on September 11, 2026. Eligible applicants should complete an online application and submit information to verify employment in a qualifying program. Space is limited. Eligible applicants may be invited to enroll immediately or placed on a waitlist if all available slots have been filled.

If you’re interested in learning more, attend an upcoming webinar about the new program:

Tuesday, June 30, 7-8pm: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/d3a149d3-410d-47ec-a803-4b0fe338f2dd@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c
Thursday, July 2, 7-8pm: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/56cd4d78-5c23-4789-9c8c-7490d32c8d34@eb14b046-24c4-4519-8f26-b89c2159828c

During the webinar, you will learn: 

• Why Minnesota is offering the benefits program
• What benefits may be available through the benefits program
• Who qualifies to apply and how many slots are currently available
• The application window and how to apply
• What you need to apply
• How the benefits enrollment process will work if accepted
• Where to find additional information and support

There will also be time at the end of the webinar for questions and answers.