Local community organization grantees work with families to create innovative program designs called “prototypes”, which address racial disparities in human services and outcomes facing the families in their community.

Modify the Bright Beginnings program to enhance and promote recovery

The goal of the Bright Beginnings Recovery Support Program is to support American Indian women who are pregnant or parenting an infant, who have a history of substance use disorder, and who either have a history with the child welfare system or are at risk of involvement with the child welfare system. Support is designed to help parents have healthy babies, achieve stable long-term recovery from substance abuse, avoid involvement/re-involvement with the child protection system, and create a healthy, stable, nurturing family/home environment for their families in which their children can grow and thrive.

Create video presentations of American Indian women’s voices

Videos will highlight stories of women who are impacted by disparities in child welfare system, housing system, early childhood system, and Substance Use Disorder system. The center will use the videos to educate community stakeholders and workers in hospital settings about impacts of implicit bias on women giving birth in their facilities.

Child welfare pilot program with Hennepin County Child Protection

The Minneapolis American Indian Center Bright Beginnings program will have earlier involvement with mothers who have substance use disorder to help divert their families from child protection actions, when possible.

Develop a vision for housing development for moms and their children

Explore treatment housing options for mothers and their children that incorporate cultural healing practices to promote recovery and strengthen cultural foundations.