New initiative connects families to support and resources
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families is implementing community resource centers and kinship navigator programs to help families and caregivers access essential services.
Community resource centers will offer culturally responsive, relationship-based support for expecting and parenting families, as well as youth. These local centers will help families access programs and services that support healthy child and family development, ensuring equitable access to resources and improving overall outcomes.
“This initiative takes a whole-family approach, focusing on family strengths and coordinating services across programs,” said Commissioner Tikki Brown. “The goal is to provide access to a range of supports that meet families where they are, with systems working together to ease the burden on families.”
The new program aligns with Minnesota’s commitment to partnering with communities to address the root causes of adverse outcomes and promote child and family well-being through practice, policy, systems and environmental changes.
The department received $7.1 million in funding in 2023 to develop and implement a statewide network of community resource centers.
Additionally, Minnesota is implementing Foster Kinship, a kinship navigator program, to support relatives and kin who care for children informally or through formal processes such as foster care, legal custody or adoption. Kinship caregivers often face challenges such as financial strain, legal issues and limited access to resources. The Foster Kinship program will connect them with vital support from community or Tribal agencies to help meet the needs of their families.
In consultation with state agencies, partners and the Community Resource Center Advisory Council, the department awarded grants to support the planning, implementation and evaluation of these programs. These grants will help:
- Increase access to resources that improve economic stability for families and kinship caregivers.
- Promote family and child well-being to prevent maltreatment and neglect.
- Encourage families and communities to collaborate on changes that make families feel safe asking for help.
- Ensure staff at community resource centers and foster kinship navigator programs are well-trained and equipped to assist families effectively.
Community resource center and kinship navigator staff will be trained to use innovative tools, including Help Me Connect and Minnesota’s Bridge to Benefits, to help families identify eligible services and find the support available in their areas.
This new initiative is part of Minnesota’s ongoing effort to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by strengthening community-based support systems.
Grantees are listed below:
- North St. Louis County Family Service Collaborative, Hibbing
- Community Resource Center, Non-profit
- Minnesota Chippewa Tribe- White Earth Band, Ogema
- Community Resource Center, American Indian Communities/Tribal Nations
- Amherst H. Wilder, Paul
- Community Resource Center, Non-profit
- Neighborhood House, St. Paul
- Community Resource Center, Non-profit
- Clay County Social Services, Moorhead
- Community Resource Center, Local Government
- Interfaith Action, St. Paul
- Community Resource Center, Non-profit
- NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center, Minneapolis
- Community Resource Center, Healthcare Provider
- Hennepin County Children and Family Services, Minneapolis
- Community Resource Center, Local Government
- Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council, Worthington
- Community Resource Center, Non-profit, CAP Agency
- Urban League, Minneapolis
- Kinship Navigator Center, Non-profit
- Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), St. Paul
- Kinship Navigator Center, Non-profit
- Nexus Kindred, Plymouth
- Kinship Navigator Center, Non-profit
- Family Service Rochester, Rochester
- Kinship Navigator Center, Community Resource Center, Non-profit