Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office Update: April 19, 2024

Roles at DCYF

The Implementation Office is working with the DCYF Steering Team to post, recruit, and hire executive leaders over the coming months.

The following roles at DCYF are now open:

• Chief Compliance Officer (Job ID #: 75532) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, April 25
• Communications Director (Job ID #: 75585) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, April 25
• General Counsel (Job ID #: 75780) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Thursday, May 2
• Chief Business Technology Officer (Job ID #: 75866) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 6
• Deputy Commissioner (Job ID #: 75867) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Friday, May 10
• Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety & Permanency (Job ID #: 75976) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13
• Assistant Commissioner - Early Childhood (Job ID #: 75975) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13
• Assistant Commissioner - Economic Opportunity and Youth Services (Job ID #: 75971) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13
• Assistant Commissioner - Family Well-being (Job ID #: 75973) | Closes at 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 13

Employees interested in these opportunities can apply through Self-Service. External applicants can apply through Minnesota Careers. Please share these exciting opportunities with those who might be interested.

Supplemental Budget Update

On March 18, Gov. Walz released his Supplemental Budget proposal, which includes proposals for DCYF totaling $2 million in Fiscal Year 24-25 and $12 million in Fiscal Year 26-27. This budget proposal implements key engagement feedback for DCYF; provides additional central operations resources to support high quality services at DCYF; and addresses critical gaps in central functions at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Education (MDE) resulting from transferring resources to the new agency.

The Implementation Office has heard specific recommendations for leadership positions that would elevate and coordinate policy, budget, engagement and other administrative actions to improve navigation of services for families. Gov. Walz proposed a small investment for DCYF in these areas to improve outcomes and coordination for children and youth with mental health needs and/or who have or are at risk for disabilities. And based on engagement with Tribes and counties, the budget also includes staff and administrative funding for intergovernmental engagement and consultation, including an intergovernmental advisory council to advise the DCYF commissioner as directed in the enabling statute last session.

Stay Connected

As leaders impacted by and interested in the DCYF transition, your feedback and outreach are critical to making this new agency successful.

Please share this newsletter and the DCYF Implementation Office webpage with your network and partners who are impacted by the transition to keep them updated on announcements and opportunities. We also encourage you to share engagement opportunities, recommendations, and questions with the Implementation Office at dcyf.implementation.mmb@state.mn.us.

DCYF in the News

Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan joined the Minnesota Women’s Press to celebrate many of the victories achieved in the 2023 legislative session, including establishing DCYF:

In the grand scheme of the country, when we look at rates of poverty or well-being, we’re doing well in Minnesota. But for us, “well” is not good enough, until we make sure that we’re closing all the gaps that our children are falling through. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families is going to offer the foundation for making sure that we’re continuing to move this work going forward.

The Star Tribune also featured the transition efforts across the Department of Human Services (DHS) to create DCYF and separate Direct Care and Treatment (DCT).

"Creating a new state agency doesn't solve all the problems and fund all the asks tomorrow," said Erin Bailey, co-chair of the steering committee overseeing the creation of a Department of Children, Youth, and Families. But she told lawmakers this week, "We have to look inside the house and think about how we do our work differently if we want to see and experience different results."

When will the transition occur?

July 1, 2023: The DCYF Implementation Office was established.

March 1, 2024: A transition report from the commissioner of MMB, on behalf of the Implementation Office, was submitted to the Minnesota Legislature, outlining planning, engagement efforts, and recommendations for the transfer of programs to the new agency.

March 21, 2024: Gov. Walz signed Chapter 80, House File 3646, creating the statutory infrastructure for DCYF.

July 1, 2024: DCYF is established with a commissioner appointed by Governor Walz. Per the planning timeline, programs from Children and Family Services at DHS, Early Learning Services at MDE, and some identified central operations functions will transfer.

October 15, 2024, through July 15, 2025: Quarterly transition reports are due to the Legislature from the commissioner of the DCYF regarding the status of the program transfers.

January 1, 2025: Per the planning timeline, Help Me Connect from MDH transfers.

June 30, 2025: Per statute, the Implementation Office completes final transition preparations and ends its work.

July 1, 2025: Per the planning timeline, all remaining identified programs will transfer. This includes relevant licensing and program integrity functions from the DHS Office of Inspector General, the MDE after-school community learning grant, the DPS Office of Restorative Practices and youth justice programs, and remaining central operations functions.

Quick Links

DCYF Implementation Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Part C FAQs

Contact Us

About the Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office, housed at MMB, provides project management, coordination, and capacity for the budget, policy, and administrative planning necessary to transfer programs centered on children and families, and associated finances, to the new agency.

Contact Us.

Website: DCYF Implementation Office
Email: dcyf.implementation.mmb@state.mn.us