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August 2026

Growing Together

Community and family partnerships in action

What it takes to support 189,000 children

It takes parents and caregivers, county and Tribal child support professionals, courts, and community organizations working toward the same goal. Together, they help establish reliable support, respond when families’ circumstances change, and connect parents with resources that help them move forward.

During Child Support Awareness Month, DCYF is highlighting the statewide network that makes Minnesota’s child support program work and the stability those partnerships help create for children and families.

Help parents and caregivers weigh in on Minnesota’s child support guidelines

Minnesota’s child support guidelines affect families statewide. Help DCYF hear from people with firsthand experience by sharing the survey with parents, caregivers, and community members in your network.

Take or share the child support guidelines survey by Sept. 15.

DCYF's impact across Minnesota

Connecting systems, speeding up support

DCYF, MNIT, counties, and Tribal Nations are piloting a new connection between MNbenefits and MAXIS. The collaboration aims to reduce duplicate data entry, improve accuracy, and help families access benefits more quickly.

See how partners are improving benefit application processing.

75 providers helping shape what comes next for CCAP

Minnesota’s first electronic attendance rollout group is doing more than adopting a new process. Their experience and feedback are helping DCYF improve it for providers statewide. See how the first group is strengthening the rollout.

Supporting the people who help children thrive

A new Minnesota pilot is exploring how access to benefits can strengthen the early care and education workforce. The response from educators shows just how significant the need is. See why nearly 1,000 educators applied on the first day.

Help inform funding for family preservation programs

DCYF is seeking volunteers to review grant applications for programs that strengthen African American families, prevent unnecessary family separation, and help children remain connected to their families, communities, and cultures. Reviewers will help inform funding decisions by reading and scoring applications. Anyone can apply, and training will be provided.

DCYF across Minnesota

DCYF joins Fond du Lac Band for Tribal–State consultation

Fond du Lac Band and DCYF leaders and staff gather for a group photo following their 2026 Tribal–State consultation. Please note that the photo is courtesy of the Fond du Lac Band.

Thank you to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for welcoming DCYF leadership and staff during the Band’s 2026 Tribal–State Consultation Series.

The consultation created space to discuss agency developments and priorities affecting Tribal children, youth, families, and communities. Fond du Lac leaders and staff advocated for continued funding, program stability, and supports that strengthen the quality of life for Tribal citizens.

This continued government-to-government partnership builds the understanding, trust, and accountability needed to strengthen programs and services reaching Tribal citizens.

DCYF joins cross-sector leaders to advance a whole family approach

DCYF staff gathered at the Forward With Families convening, where leaders from across sectors explored ways to strengthen economic security and improve supports for children and families. Photo courtesy of Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

More than 100 leaders from state government, philanthropy, community organizations, and the private sector gathered in Minnesota for Forward With Families, a convening hosted by Ascend at the Aspen Institute.

Minnesota was the first stop in the national series, which brings leaders together to explore how coordinated solutions can strengthen family economic security, improve access to food and health supports, and build stronger child care and caregiving systems.

The gathering reinforced DCYF’s whole family approach, which recognizes that children thrive when their families have the resources, stability, and opportunities they need.

“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but this work is far from finished,” said Tikki Brown, commissioner, DCYF. “The challenges facing families are complex, and no single state agency, organization or sector can solve them alone.”

DCYF leaders also examined how programs and agency functions can work together to create a more connected experience for families, counties, Tribal Nations, and community partners. The gathering strengthened relationships and advanced a shared commitment to building systems that help Minnesota children and families thrive.

Resources for individuals and families

All families in Minnesota deserve to thrive. DCYF connects people to benefits, services and tools that support children, youth, and caregivers. Explore help with food, cash and employment supports, health coverage, child care, housing and home stability, early learning, youth services and family well-being.

About DCYF

DCYF works to ensure every child, youth, and family in Minnesota can thrive. We bring together programs and services that support families’ health, safety, and well-being, from early childhood and child care to youth services, child welfare, and family support programs. By partnering with communities, counties, and Tribes, DCYF strives to build a more equitable, responsive system that helps families grow strong and stay strong.