May was a month filled with celebration, connection, and gratitude as we honored the dedicated child care providers and partners who make a difference in the lives of children and families every day.

On May 16, the Logros Tempranos program celebrated Teacher Appreciation Day to recognize the commitment, resilience, and compassion of child care providers who participated in Metro Surge activities. The gathering was an opportunity to pause and thank providers for the countless ways they support children and families, often going above and beyond during challenging times. Attendees also had the opportunity to meet CLUES' new President and CEO, Liliana Letrán-García, who introduced herself and shared her excitement about supporting providers and expanding opportunities in early childhood education. It was a joyful evening that fostered appreciation, connection, and hope for the future.

On May 21, CLUES welcomed representatives from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for their Quarterly Meeting and a tour of our innovative Pilot Child Care Business Incubator. During the visit, staff learned about the incubator model, which was created to support Latina family child care entrepreneurs through business development, training, and wraparound services. The visit highlighted CLUES' commitment to expanding access to culturally responsive, high-quality child care while creating pathways to small business success. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Cindi Yang, head of the Child Care Division at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, for helping coordinate this meaningful visit and making the opportunity possible. We are grateful for DCYF's partnership and shared commitment to supporting childcare providers and families throughout Minnesota.

The month concluded with a truly special milestone as CLUES hosted a graduation celebration on May 30 for participants who completed the Winter 2026 cohort of Logros Tempranos. The cohort began with 41 individuals expressing interest in the program. Of those, 35 actively participated in at least one training session, including 18 participants who were new to Logros Tempranos. To graduate, participants were required to complete at least 80% of the program requirements. We were honored to celebrate the achievements of 28 graduates, including 15 new participants. Their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to continuous learning reflect their deep investment in providing high-quality care to the children and families they serve. Each graduate represents not only a personal accomplishment but also a stronger, more empowered child care community.

These moments reflect CLUES' continued commitment to supporting and uplifting child care providers through professional development, leadership opportunities, meaningful partnerships, and recognition of the invaluable work they do every day. We are deeply grateful to the participants, families, staff, trainers, and community partners whose time, dedication, and collaboration made these events possible. Together, we are strengthening our community and creating brighter futures for children and families, while honoring the caring providers whose compassion, resilience, and commitment make such an important difference in so many lives.