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kcoumn.bsky.social
Kids Count on Us
@kcoumn.bsky.social
We are a coalition of MN community-based childcare providers, teachers & parents who believe that all children deserve high-quality care & workers deserve thriving wages and benefits. We're organizing together to transform how we do childcare.
Let’s remember WHO you’re talking about when you’re making claims about fraud. Surprise, it’s us - women, moms, dads, providers, and most importantly, kids.
Providers work over 60 hour weeks. We take money from our own bank accounts to cover payroll.
January 7, 2026 at 5:04 AM
Without federal #childcare funding, thousands of Minnesota families will be without childcare. That's thousands of parents that cannot go to work. That's thousands of jobs that will not get done. It affects all of us. Tell your legislators!

https://bit.ly/ReleaseCCFunds
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
One of the most thorough articles about what a federal childcare funding freeze will mean...shoutout to all of our speakers who very vulnerably shared their stories.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/03/us/child-care-fraud-minnesota
Minnesota families and child care providers scramble as federal funds hang in balance | CNN
In the days since the Trump administration announced it would freeze federal child care payments to Minnesota amid an alleged fraud investigation, fear and confusion have spread almost as fast as the viral video that launched the scandal.
www.cnn.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Without federal #childcare funding, thousands of Minnesota families will be without childcare. That's thousands of parents that cannot go to work. That's thousands of jobs that will not get done. It affects all of us. Tell your legislators!

https://bit.ly/ReleaseCCFunds
January 3, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Please read our statement regarding the federal administration’s freeze of childcare payments in Minnesota.
January 1, 2026 at 5:27 PM
ICE is here and is deeply impacting our kids and our childcare programs.
"Is somebody going to come into the daycare and take us? Are they going to break in? Are we going to get killed?"
No child (or adult) should ever have to ask these questions‼️
www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
How is ICE enforcement affecting child care? 5 questions, answered
Tensions remain high in Minnesota’s Somali community as federal immigration agents continue their two-week surge in the Twin Cities, and it's impacting young children and their caregivers.
www.mprnews.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Our biggest Monday leader shoutout ever and we look forward to shouting out each one of them over the coming months...A huge shoutout to every beautiful human who showed up to build power with us to win fully funded childcare on Saturday (and the 5,000+ others who we spent the day with).
December 15, 2025 at 6:42 PM
And we are so glad to be in your light and shining it with you!
December 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Immigration enforcement is driving away early childhood educators hechingerreport.org/immigration-...

"Close to 40,000 foreign-born child care workers have been driven out of the profession in the wake of the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation and detainment efforts.."
Immigration enforcement is driving away early childhood educators
In addition to workers facing detainment or deportation, many people are staying home to avoid situations where they may encounter ICE.
hechingerreport.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:35 PM
It's Monday! Our Monday leaders shoutout is parent Crystal Noble from Bemidji. She very openly shared her story last week at their Affordability Forum, describing how she had to leave a job she loved because they literally could not find childcare for their daughter Ruby. It took a YEAR!
December 9, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Sharing an opportunity for childcare centers to learn more about how to support families and staff...

https://www.mobilize.us/ndwa-c4/event/875067/?share_medium=native_share&share_context=event_detail_page&force_banner=true
Safety and Immigration Defense in Child Care Webinar · Care in Action C4
Join us on Wednesday, December 10th at 7pm ET for a special immigration safety and defense training created for our early childhood community. Our webinar will cover: -Up-to-date information on the community response to increasing ICE presence in NC -Perspectives from child care providers and parents on how they are meeting the moment -Know your rights information and best practices for centers and family child care homes to keep children, their families, and workers safe This webinar is open to all child care providers and allies. Whether you live in North Carolina or another state, it will be a good space to learn more about community responses to increased ICE presence in centers and schools. Spanish/English interpretation will be provided. Register now to receive your personalized Zoom link. When you sign up, you'll receive an email with the Zoom link to join us. **Hosted by the National Domestic Workers Alliance,...
www.mobilize.us
December 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Just throwing in a THURSDAY leader shoutout because the fabulous Viri Anguiano of Listos Preschool in Rochester won the Mayor's Medal of Honor today! Congratulations Viri. The lives of the children and families you serve (and ours) are so much richer because of you!
December 4, 2025 at 11:38 PM
It's Monday and our Monday leader shoutout is Darla Pappas of Li'l Lumberjacks and Li'l Thunder in Cloquet. She runs both centers as part of the school district where she likes to say that without them, there wouldn't be a school district because they provide care for so many children of teachers!
December 2, 2025 at 1:08 AM
We're borrowing this clip from The Daily Show a few weeks back with guest Prof. Scott Galloway, author of "Notes on Being a Man." And YES, it's about childcare. Just watch!
#FundChildCare
November 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Thanksgiving has different meanings for different people. The one piece we will always take away is the time to reflect and be grateful. So this is just a little reminder of just how grateful we are for all of you!
November 27, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Our Monday leader shoutout is the very brave Hannah Mellesmoen who shared her emotional healthcare story this morning in a virtual press conference. Her story is the reality of so many childcare providers. Thank you Hannah, for making it clear how real the impacts of healthcare cuts are.
November 25, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Minnesota's Paid Leave program starts on Jan 1, 2026 (which is coming FAST). Let's talk about what it means for you (childcare providers) and get your questions answered so you feel ready!

Sign up here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/rZKFlT5fhk2QraILOatZ7A2
November 21, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Kids Count on Us is building the power we need (with all of you) to fully #FundChildCare. And sometimes to do the hard work, you need stickers.

So, please find some joy in our new colors and new sticker design when you need a reminder of they why behind this work!
November 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Check out Northern News Now's story on last Thursday's roundtable with @GrantHauschildforSenate and @ErinMurphy.

It's not hard math - parents can't afford to pay as much as childcare programs need to retain teachers and provide high quality care. So let's #FundChildCare
November 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Kids Count on Us
Look 👏 at 👏 these 👏 childcare 👏 leaders 👏 go!

@kcoumn.bsky.social just held powerful meetings in Minneapolis & St. Paul — bringing together childcare providers, teachers, parents, & community members ready to organize & demand that Minnesota finally #FundChildcare like we should! 👶👩‍🏫
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Sign up now! It's TOMORROW! Join us to organize and build power among parents, providers, and teachers so childcare is at the top of the list in 2026 and 2027. Dinner provided. Limited childcare.

Register here:https://secure.ngpvan.com/h7v5cNO6KEe07Q4x0zN49g2
November 11, 2025 at 6:50 PM
"...but he says the lack of universal child care cost the city's economy more than $20 BILLION in the last four years, with mothers having to leave the workforce and families leaving the five boroughs altogether." This is just DUMB.
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
TOMORROW! Have you registered yet? Join us to talk about childcare and how we can build power together to win the childcare funding we deserve. Dinner is on us!

Register here: https://secure.ngpvan.com/1eWqA9mB-kiJhkfr_oEKYg2
November 7, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Nov 12 is fast approaching! Join us to organize and build power among parents, providers, and teachers so childcare is at the top of the list in 2026 and 2027. Dinner is on us. There will be limited childcare.

Register here:https://secure.ngpvan.com/h7v5cNO6KEe07Q4x0zN49g2
November 6, 2025 at 6:50 PM