Children & Families

Head Start Program

Head Start is a state and federally funded early childhood program for expectant mothers and children ages birth-5 years old. The program offers comprehensive services to enrolled children and families, giving priority to limited income families and children with special needs. Head Start programs offer a nurturing environment that supports the healthy growth and development of each child in the context of family, culture and community. Early Head Start serves pregnant moms and children up to age 3, and Head Start serves children ages 3 or 4 years of age by September 1 of the school year.

Program Eligibility: Families with income up to 100% Federal Poverty Guideline are income eligible. Automatic qualifiers include receipt of MFIP, SSI, or experiencing homelessness or foster care. Family income over 100% of FPG may be considered for enrollment after income eligible children are enrolled.

For more information about our Head Start Program please call (218) 512-1515 or CLICK HERE to apply.

CAPLP Head Start Program

Child Care Aware: Connecting Families to Quality Child Care

At CAPLP we believe that children do better when they have access to high-quality early childhood experiences. Parent Aware is a statewide search tool to assist families in finding the best quality care and education for their children. Looking for childcare? Click here to access Parent Aware.

Need help paying for child care?
CAPLP administers two programs that are designed to help parents afford high-quality child care in Minnesota. Early Learning Scholarship, and Child Care Assistance provide financial support to families and increase access to childcare programs.

Early Learning Scholarships, a program of the MN Department of Education, provides financial support up to $7,500 to help pay for high-quality care and education to prepare young children for school. CAPLP administers the Early Learning Scholarships program for families that reside in the following counties: Clay, Becker, Otter Tail, Grant, Douglas, Traverse, Stevens, Pope, and Wilkin.

Click here for the Early Learning Scholarship application. Completed applications can be mailed or dropped off in person at: 715 11th St N, Suite 402 Moorhead, MN  56560.  

To learn more about the Scholarship program, please visit the MN Department of Education website. For specific case questions and information within the counties listed above please call 218-512-1592 or email.

The Child Care Assistance Program helps families pay child care costs for children through age 12, and for children with special needs through age 14. CAPLP administers the Child Care Assistance Program for families that reside in Wilkin county. Childcare program costs may be paid for qualifying families while they go to work, look for work or attend school.  
 
To begin the application process, please complete this application.
(Please note: Once your application has been processed we will be in contact via mail regarding the status of your application) 

To learn more about the Child Care Assistance program, please visit the Department of Human Services website. For specific case questions and information or if you are a childcare program interested in receiving Child Care Assistance payments, please call 218-512-1592 or email.

Child Care Aware: Supporting Quality Child Care

CAPLP understands that high quality child care is essential to healthy economies and thriving communities. We are here to support individuals and community partners that are interested in starting a child care business in the counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin. Startup Assistance includes technical assistance, coaching and grant funds. For more information about starting a child care, call (218) 512-1586.

Earn a Parent Aware Rating

Parent Aware is Minnesota’s quality rating and improvement system for early childhood programs. Parent Aware Star Ratings help to improve, support, and celebrate child care and early education programs. CAPLP provides free coaching and grant funding to support providers in the Parent Aware rating process. For more information about the Parent Aware Program, call (218) 979-0783 or visit www.parentaware.org

Know you are interested and want to sign up for Parent Aware? Complete the application and participation agreement, and mail to:
CAPLP - Parent Aware
891 Belsly Boulevard
Moorhead, MN  56560

Access Professional Development for Northwest Minnesota

Search for upcoming training events in your area to positively impact the experiences of children in your care. These training opportunities can count for child care licensing hours, Parent Aware requirements and CDA clock hours. To participate in our scheduled trainings an individual Develop account is required. Online training options can be found at www.eagertolearn.org

To register for trainings, click here. For training related questions including registration support, professional planning, becoming a trainer, or for career advising please call (218) 512-1579 or email. 

Click here for Northwest District Training Policies and Procedures. This includes information on cancellations, attendance and course credit.

Click here for instructions on how to set up an online account or search for courses.

Click here for an ADA Accommodation Request Form. 


Child Care Aware

Apply for Child Care Educator Grants

Child Care Services Grants (formerly known as Regional Grants) provide funds to help cover the costs of supplies, equipment, technology, and training. The application for this grant is available annually from September 1st to September 25th. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis to qualified child care programs.

For the application and guide for Child Care Services Grants click here
To view a recording of the Child Care Services Grant information Workshop click here

To apply for the Child Care Services Grant click here
Select "How do I?" and then choose "Grants - Regional & MNTRECC Grants - How to Apply.”
The Child Care Services Grant Application is available September 1 –25, 2021.’

Start Up Grants are intended to provide support to child care educators just getting started. Educators can request funding for items required for child care startup costs. Applications may be submitted after having the first visit with the child care licensor or up to 6 months after the effective date of the child care license.
For the application and guide for Start-Up Grants click here 

Emergency Grants are intended to assist existing programs that have been affected by an emergency that directly affects their ability to provide care.

For the application and guide for Emergency Grants click here 

For additional resources that support quality child care in Minnesota visit www.childcareawaremn.org

Rainbow Bridge Parenting Time Center

The Mission of Rainbow Bridge Parenting Time Center is to provide a safe environment to bring about the physical transfer of/or visitation with children without contact between the parental parties. Services include Supervised Parenting Time and Safe Exchanges in a family-friendly environment. To begin using services, individuals should contact the Rainbow Bridge office in order to schedule an intake appointment. Intakes are done between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. All parties must complete an intake in person before services can be implemented. Rainbow Bridge cannot force a person to agree to services.

Rainbow Bridge does not require a court order for use of services, but does require a copy if one is in place. Rainbow Bridge has no legal jurisdiction; we will use the court order as a guide but are under no obligation to follow what is listed. Rainbow Bridge does not have the authority to enforce court orders; therefore, if a consensus cannot be reached between both parties regarding scheduling, no activity will be scheduled.

Rainbow Bridge is now a program of the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. All services remain operational in the same location. Please direct any questions or concerns to RACC's Chief Program Office, Myla. Email or (701) 293-7273


Towey Family
Contact Us:
  • Phone (218) 512-1500
  • (800) 452-3646
  • Fax: (844) 215-7287
  • Email
Walk-in Services:
  • 715 11th St. N. Suite 101
  • Moorhead, MN 56560
Mailing Address:
  • 891 Belsly Boulevard
    Moorhead, MN  56560
Wilkin County Office:

311 5th Street S.
Breckenridge, MN 56520
(218) 643-2888

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