New DCYF webpage addresses misinformation and provides facts on programs and services
Recent statements and actions by the federal government and other online sources have created uncertainty about child care, food assistance and other public programs that families rely on every day.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is taking steps to push back on the amount of misinformation being perpetuated against essential services. This week, DCYF launched “Fact First: The real story on services that support Minnesota,” a webpage aimed at setting the record straight. The site offers factual information to combat claims currently circulating online.
Misleading information presented without data or context can create confusion about how public support programs actually operate. Moreover, these unsupported claims have been used as a pretext to deploy federal immigration agents into Minnesota, demand Minnesotans’ private data in violation of state and federal law, and freeze critical federal investments that make child care and groceries more affordable for Minnesota families.
“Inflammatory and misleading claims create safety risks for families, child care providers, and businesses, and contributes to harmful discourse about Minnesota’s immigrant communities,” said Commissioner Tikki Brown. “We remain committed to fact-based reviews that stop fraud, protect children, support families, maintain the public trust, and minimize disruption to communities that rely on these essential services.”
The unprecedented uncertainty caused by the proliferation of these claims impacts Minnesotans who rely on public programs, the child care providers who provide care to Minnesota’s children, as well as the state and county workforce charged with administering and overseeing those programs. In Minnesota, fraud claims are evaluated through established audit and investigation processes that rely on verified data and documented findings — not estimates or unsubstantiated claims.
The federal government continues to cite unverified claims as reasons to withhold funding for essential programs that support hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. The uncertainty of funding stability creates unnecessary stress and harm to families across the state. That’s why accurate, fact-based information matters.
“Facts First” will continue to add claims as needed to help the public understand the truth behind what is being said about some of Minnesota’s public support programs. More information is available at dcyf.mn.gov/facts-first-real-story-services-support-minnesotans.
Learn more about the federal actions that could affect Minnesota’s children, families, and communities and how the state is responding.