|
 Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office Update: April 29, 2025
|
|
Transfer Update
The Implementation Office is preparing for two final rounds of transfers to DCYF in June 2025 during the transition year.
June 4, 2025:
- Remaining proportional positions from Finance, Compliance, and Management Services from DHS.
-
Office of Inspector General (OIG) Licensing, Program Integrity, and Operations functions from DHS.
-
Office of Restorative Practices and Youth Justice Office from the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The After-School Community Learning Grant from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) was originally planned for transfer on June 18 if additional funding were appropriated by the legislature, but legislative timelines and the 30-day employee notice requirements would not line up to make this transfer timeline possible even if the legislature appropriates funds this session. As a result, a transfer delay is necessary. Commissioner Brown requested, and Governor Walz granted, a delay of transfer following the process outlined in enabling legislation. If legislation and appropriation were to pass this session or in a future session, it would be necessary to consider the effective date, amount, and other factors to ensure a smooth transfer of the program.
 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee Update
Minnesota statutes require that an ongoing intergovernmental advisory committee (IAC) be established to provide advice, consultation, and recommendations to the DCYF Commissioner on the planning, design, administration, funding, and evaluation of services to children, youth, and families.
The IAC structure and process is currently being co-developed and will be executed by DCYF, participating Tribal Nations, the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), and Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA). The IAC will be administered in a way that ensures representation of each participating Tribal Nation and each county, and will meet at least quarterly, per statutory requirement.
The Implementation Office is partnering with DCYF’s County Relations and Tribal Relations offices, along with counties and Tribes, on the co-development of the IAC.
|
Strategic Planning Update
The Implementation Office, Children’s Cabinet, and DCYF, in partnership with Wilder Research, continue the process of developing a comprehensive strategic plan for the new agency. A core team is reviewing the substantial input gained from the 12 engagement sessions involving more than 300 participants and the survey portal which yielded over 250 responses. Further opportunities for feedback on the plan will be made available this spring and details on how to contribute will be shared in the coming weeks. The final plan will be posted on the DCYF website upon completion.
DCYF Planning and Implementation Timeline
-
July 1, 2023: The DCYF Implementation Office 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.
-
April 29, 2024: Gov. Walz named Tikki Brown as the Department of Children, Youth, and Families commissioner, effective July 1, 2024.
-
July 1, 2024: DCYF was established, and programs from Children and Family Services at DHS, Early Learning Services at MDE, and some identified central operations functions transferred throughout July.
-
Oct. 15, 2024, through July 15, 2025: Quarterly transition reports are due to the Legislature from the commissioner of DCYF regarding the status of the program transfers.
-
Oct. 23, 2024: Additional central operations positions transferred.
-
Jan. 29, 2025: Help Me Connect from MDH and positions from the DHS Business Solutions Office transferred.
-
June 4, 2025: Per the planning timeline, remaining positions from Finance, Management Services, and Compliance transfer.
-
June 18, 2025: Per the planning timeline, relevant licensing, program integrity, and operations functions from the DHS Office of Inspector General, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Restorative Practices and youth justice programs functions will transfer.
-
June 30, 2025: Per statute, the Implementation Office completes final transition preparations and ends its work.
About the DCYF Implementation Office
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
