Oct. 2025

Greetings!

You may have heard that I will be retiring by the end of this calendar year. It has been my life's honor to work alongside the Early Childhood professionals in our region as we work for a better future for our youth.

As I wrap up my career, I am excited to see SMIF's work continue to grow. We are excited to announce a new partnership with First Children's Finance. They will help provide trainings, technical assistance and community discussions — all vital resources to support child care providers in our region.

As ever, if you have questions, concerns or creative suggestions as they relate to Early Childhood, please contact me at 507-214-7012 or raejeanh@smifoundation.org.

Rae Jean Hansen

Vice President of Early Childhood

SMIF seeks Early Childhood vice president

SMIF is seeking a skilled leader who will be responsible for the design and implementation of Early Childhood strategies to prepare the next generation to thrive and contribute to southern Minnesota’s regional vitality. This person will deepen and expand The Foundation’s commitment to Early Childhood development through continued growth and new strategic partnerships across sectors. The position will also lead the creation and management of external partnerships and collective action networks consistent with furthering SMIF’s Early Childhood objectives.

Apply by Oct. 19, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

View job description

Early Care & Education Grant Spotlight:

Faribault Public Schools

In 2023, Faribault Public Schools utilized an Early Care and Education Grant to fund ECFE on the Go, a program to ready Faribault children for kindergarten and support child care providers.

"Through support from SMIF, Faribault Public Schools was able to launch the ECFE on the Go initiative," shared Olivia Sage, early learning coordinator, and Zach Pruitt, community education and engagement director. "To launch a new program and see the level of interest from traditionally underserved populations is incredibly heartening."

The next round of Early Care and Education Grants opens Oct. 8!

Read the full story

Professionals learn Conscious Discipline tools

This summer, SMIF hosted Conscious Discipline Trainer Anne Hoff for an in-person, two-part course at the Owatonna High School. Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO, gave a welcome speech with former SMIF president, Tim Penny. Professionals left with a deeper understanding of Conscious Discipline tools and practices.

Virtual, self-paced Conscious Discipline classes are still available. Contact Margaret Radel, Early Childhood project and grants coordinator, with questions at margaretr@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7017.

View virtual classes

Upcoming events

S.M.A.R.T. Steps training

Oct. 9 - Dec. 4 | Virtual

SMIF is partnering with A Chance to Grow to offer S.M.A.R.T. Steps for FREE to family child care providers and family, friends and neighbor caregivers in SMIF’s 20-county region.

Stimulating Maturity through Accelerated Readiness Training (S.M.A.R.T.) Steps helps children’s brains and bodies get ready to learn by building foundational skills for school success. This program is designed specifically for family child care and provides children ages 0–5 with fun, play-like activities that support natural brain development.

Easy to implement – little to no equipment needed
Backed by science – learn why developmental movement matters
Free for FCC providers & FFN caregivers in SMIF’s region
Develop-approved training hours (KCF & CDA)

View the flyer and course timeline for details.

The next session begins Oct. 9. Space is limited — register by Oct. 8! Please contact Cheryl Smythe at smartsteps@actg.org with questions.

First Children's Finance fall trainings

October - December | Virtual

Our partners at First Children's Finance are hosting free Develop trainings this fall!

First Children’s Finance Minnesota is excited to announce a range of professional development and training opportunities for Minnesota child care entrepreneurs this fall. These courses are designed to equip child care business owners with the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to thrive in the industry.

View their flyer for details. If you have any questions, please contact infoMN@firstchildrensfinance.org.

Helpful resources

Taylor Family Farms Foundation:

Grants for capacity building

Our partners at the Taylor Family Farms Foundation are seeking applications focused on capacity building for child care in rural communities. Applications will be accepted from organizations within 29 counties of southern Minnesota and 17 counties of northwest Iowa from October 1-31, 2025.

Apply

Child Care Wayfinder

We would like to share a resource through our partner, Families First of Minnesota, to connect with a Wayfinder Navigator. Wayfinder is a one-stop navigation network for starting and growing child care programs. Their local navigators act as resource guides to help people create, sustain and expand home-based and center-based programs.

Navigators accompany new programs through the licensing process, assess business and program needs, help family child care owners/operators and center directors bring together and put to use all the support they receive, as well as much more. Through these collaborative relationships, they help child care programs build strong relationships and thrive in their environments.

Learn more

Child development articles and resources in Minnesota

Help Me Grow has many articles, podcasts and videos with information for parents and families about how children grow and develop. Topics include child development, encouraging healthy development and additional support services to help your child learn and grow.

Learn more

Tim Penny Small Towns Fund

We are only $250,000 away from reaching our goal! With your support we will raise an additional $1 million to invest in our region’s small towns through SMIF’s new fund for community vitality.

In honor of Tim’s lifetime work in southern Minnesota and his longtime passion and deep roots in small towns, we invite you to help us start the Tim Penny Small Towns Fund to honor him. Thanks to investment earnings, your gift will continue to grow and have an even greater impact on the region in years to come.

Donate now!

Plan your future

We are partnering with FreeWill, an online tool to write your legal will at no personal cost. This resource helps you protect your family and friends, plan beneficiaries for your assets, and support the causes and communities you love. With FreeWill, you can get peace of mind and leave a lasting legacy in just 20 minutes.

Write your free will

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation | 507-455-3215 | www.smifoundation.org

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