Implementation Office for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Although Minnesota frequently ranks as a top state in which to live and work, this is not true for every Minnesotan. Our systems have not led to equitable outcomes for our children, and today race, ZIP code, and income are too often determinants of opportunity. We must embrace opportunities to think differently and improve the effectiveness of services for children and families who need them most.
This is why the state of Minnesota is working on a transition to create a new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). This new cabinet-level agency will be established in July 2024 and fully staffed by July 2025.
The 2023 legislature included the Governor’s proposal to establish the new agency and funding for implementation in the Health and Human Services Omnibus bill. Authorizing language can be found in 2023 Minnesota Session Law, Chapter 70 and a plain-language explanation of the statute can be found in the DCYF Statutory Explainer document. The statute appropriates funds for an Implementation Office, established on July 1, 2023, and housed at Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB). This office works in partnership with state agencies and through the Children’s Cabinet on planning and transition efforts to coordinate and plan for the creation of the new agency centered on our most precious resources: our children, youth, and families.
You can receive updates on the transition by signing up for our monthly newsletter. Past updates are available below:
Timeline
The statute directs the Governor to appoint a Department of Children, Youth, and Families commissioner on July 1, 2024. Bringing together holistic supports for families, including core programs serving children from infants and toddlers to older youth, the Department of Human Services, Education, Health, and Public Safety will transfer some programs to DCYF by July 2025.
- May 24, 2023: Bill signed into law by Governor Walz
- July 1, 2023: Implementation Office established
- July 1, 2024: DCYF commissioner appointed, new department established
- Between July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025: programs are transferred to DCYF
- July 1, 2025: Completion of transfer of programs from four state agencies to DCYF
Divisions identified to move to DCYF include:
Children and Family Services at the Department of Human Services:
- Management Operations and Business Integration
- Child Care Services
- Child Safety and Permanency
- Child Support
- Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division (except housing programs)
Office of Inspector General & Department of Human Services Operations
- Licensing functions for family child care, child care centers, certificated child care centers, and child foster care.
- Program integrity units for related Child and Family Service (CFS) programs
- DHS Central Office functions - Human Resources, Finance, General Counsel, Compliance, and Management Services, among others.
Programs from the Office of Teaching and Learning at the Department of Education
- Early Learning Services division (except Part B 619)
- After-School Community Learning Grant Program
Programs from the Department of Public Safety:
- Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee
- Youth Intervention Program grant
- Youth Justice Office
- Office of Restorative Practices
Program from the Child and Family Health Division at Minnesota Department of Health:
- Help Me Connect