Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office Update: Sept. 30, 2024

Work at DCYF

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families was established on Monday, July 1, with Commissioner Tikki Brown in place.

This new agency continues to grow through ongoing position and program transfers and open job postings. You can find open positions at DCYF through Minnesota Careers by searching "DCYF."

Leaders at DCYF

DCYF announced two executive leaders this last month: 

• Rebecca St. George, Assistant Commissioner - Child Safety and Permanency
• Kamaria Kassim-Grigsby, Human Resources Director

St. George and Kassim-Grigsby join a growing executive team to help lead and build the new agency.

• Rachel Grimes, Business Integration Division Director
• Dianne Haulcy, Assistant Commissioner - Early Childhood
• Cynthia Jahnke, General Counsel
• Carissa Larsen, Communications Director
• Dr. Shaneen Moore, Assistant Commissioner - Family Well-Being
• 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

Program Newsletters from DCYF

Programs from Children and Family Services at the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Early Learning Services (MDE) have transferred to DCYF. If you are a subscriber to any program communications from these teams, your subscription to these newsletters should not have changed during the transition. You can manage your DCYF newsletter subscriptions to ensure you don't miss important updates and action items.

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

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