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 Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office Update: Aug. 30, 2024
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 Launching DCYF
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families was established on Monday, July 1, with Commissioner Tikki Brown in place. Nearly 500 employees successfully transferred with programs from Children and Family Services at the Department of Human Services and Early Learning Services at the Department of Education.
As the new agency grows over the coming year, the DCYF Implementation Office will continue to support transition preparations through June 2025.
Leaders at DCYF
In addition to Commissioner Brown, the following executives have been announced as part of the DCYF leadership team:
- Dianne Haulcy, Assistant Commissioner - Early Childhood
- Shaneen Moore, Assistant Commissioner - Family Well-Being
- Bharti Wahi, Interim Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety and Permanency
- Rachel Grimes, Business Integration Division Director
- Cynthia Jahnke, General Counsel
- Carissa Larsen, Communications Director
- Sam Moose, Tribal Relations Executive Director
- Jess Nowlin, Chief Compliance Officer
- Ashley Reisenauer, Chief Financial Officer
- Elizabeth Roe, Chief Operations Officer
- Jennifer Sommerfeld, Government Relations Director
- Tyrone Spratt, Chief Business Technology Officer
- Tori Thao, Equity and Engagement Director
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback and themes through engagement opportunities that helped inform the hiring process.
The hiring processes for the deputy commissioner, assistant commissioner for economic opportunity and youth services, and the human resources director are still underway. DCYF continues to plan for future leadership roles focused on coordination around mental health, children with disabilities, Black children and youth, and family and community navigation of state programs.
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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 2024: DCYF was established with a commissioner appointed by Governor Walz, and programs from Children and Family Services at DHS, Early Learning Services at MDE, and some identified central operations functions transferred.
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 23, 2025: Per the planning timeline, Help Me Connect from MDH transfers.
June 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.
June 30, 2025: Per statute, the Implementation Office completes final transition preparations and ends its work.
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.
Quick Links
DCYF Implementation Office
Frequently Asked Questions
Part C FAQs
Contact Us
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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.
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