Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office Update: Nov. 27, 2024

County Relations at DCYF

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families has announced Kari Ouimette as the new County Relations Director, a role she will begin on Dec. 4. Ouimette is currently the Economic Assistance Director at Scott County, where she directs daily operations in the areas of public assistance eligibility, child support, fraud prevention, and employment and training services. Prior to joining Scott County, she spent 15 years at a local non-profit agency in various leadership roles overseeing programming and services for low-income individuals, families and at-risk youth. She has more than 24 years of experience in human services and public assistance programs. Ouimette is an active member of Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA) where she has spent the last several years participating in workgroups and systems governance, while cultivating relationships with partners in county and state leadership.

DCYF in Statute

The Revisor’s Office has published the technical statutory changes from the DCYF recodification bill that were signed into law last session (Minnesota Session Laws 2024, Chapter 80). This means the new DCYF chapters 142A-G are published on the Revisor’s website, as well as other statutory updates included in the bill that were necessary to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities, authorities, and the related program and operations functions to implement DCYF.

Strategic Planning

This summer, Commissioner Brown asked the Children’s Cabinet to partner in selecting and contracting with an external vendor to conduct a comprehensive strategic planning process and complete the first-ever DCYF strategic plan. Following a proposal evaluation process that included input from the DCYF executive team and members of the Vision for Policy and Equity Workstream, we are excited to share that Wilder Research will be leading the DCYF strategic planning process, with robust input from employees and external partner engagement. The process will engage staff and external partners on multiple levels including through an advisory group and regular feedback loops as well as community-based sessions for partners.

Quick Links

DCYF Implementation Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Part C FAQs

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DCYF Transition Timeline

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 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.

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