County Relations office strengthens connection between DCYF and Minnesota’s counties

When the federal government shutdown created uncertainty across Minnesota’s human services system in late 2025, county leaders needed clear and reliable information, fast. Programs were at risk. Funding questions were mounting. And the services children and families depend on could not pause. 

At DCYF, that moment underscored the importance of strong relationships with county partners. Through daily updates and ongoing communication, the agency worked to ensure counties had the information they needed to respond and continue serving their communities.  

Within Minnesota’s state-supervised, county-administered human services system, strong relationships between the state and counties are essential. The DCYF County Relations office plays a key role in building and sustaining those connections. 

County Relations serves as a central bridge for communication, coordination, and by creating spaces for partnership and shared problem solving, including forums like the Intergovernmental Advisory Council. The council brings together human services leaders and elected officials from counties and participating Tribal Nations to advise the DCYF Commissioner. Through these efforts, counties help shape how services are planned, funded, and delivered. The result is stronger alignment, earlier identification of challenges, and more coordinated support for children and families.  

County Relations Director, Kari Ouimette, leads this work, bringing decades of experience in human services and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing county partners. She approaches the role with a focus on listening, shared problem-solving, and ensuring counties have a meaningful voice in the decisions that impact their work and the communities they serve. 

A career built on partnership 

Ouimette’s career in human services began in nonprofit employment services, where she worked with families participating in the Minnesota Family Investment Program and supported at-risk youth and teen parents. She later spent nine years in county government as the economic assistance director at Scott County, overseeing public assistance eligibility, child support, employment services, and fraud prevention. 

“That experience really helped me understand how critical the relationship is between state agencies and the counties that deliver services every day,” Ouimette shared. “When DCYF was established as a new agency, it felt like an opportunity to bring that perspective forward and help strengthen the foundation of our state-county partnership.” 

Showing up across the state 

Visibility and responsiveness shape how the County Relations office works. Ouimette regularly attends Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA) committee and leadership meetings and maintains ongoing communication with county leaders. 

“My goal is that human services leaders in every county know who I am and what my role is and that when they reach out, they’ll get a response,” she said. 

In the fall of 2025, Ouimette coordinated three county and regional site visits for DCYF’s executive leadership team. This year, the office is on track to schedule visits with all 11 MACSSA regions to meet with county leaders, hear challenges, and learn about local innovations. 

“These visits help us understand what’s working well and where there are systemic issues that need attention. They also build the relationships that allow us to have hard conversations when we need to.” 

Building understanding and relationships 

Ouimette approaches the role with a learning mindset, recognizing the complexity of both county operations and DCYF programs. 

“Just because I worked at a county doesn’t mean I know everything about every county,” she noted. “I ask a lot of questions, check assumptions, gather the facts, and help leaders within DCYF and counties understand each other’s perspective.” 

That work often means working through misalignment, identifying blind spots and ensuring accurate, shared information is guiding decisions. 

“We can talk about anything when we’re in good relationship,” Ouimette said. “My job is to help us get there.” 

Uplifting counties as essential partners 

The County Relations office supports DCYF’s broader strategic priorities by reinforcing a culture that values counties and Tribal Nations as essential partners. It also reinforces that engagement with counties is a core part of effective government. 

“Engaging early helps us prevent issues, understand realities on the ground, build trust, and make better decisions for children, youth, and families,” Ouimette said. 

Visible impact 

The office is already seeing results. Counties report greater clarity through proactive communication, faster resolution of issues previously stalled and improved coordination during periods of policy or funding uncertainty. 

St. Louis County Deputy Director of Public Health and Human Services, Dusty Letica, said Ouimette’s ability to connect state and local perspectives has made a difference.  

“Her ability to bridge the gap between local county operations and DCYF, paired with a strong understanding of both perspectives, has proven to be an invaluable asset. 

Strong relationships: Better outcomes for Minnesotans 

DCYF is committed to strengthening its relationships with county partners. One of DCYF’s strategic goals as a new state agency is to improve feedback loops with partners to make sure they have a meaningful voice in decision-making. As the agency grows, it will continue build upon the success of existing partnerships, and the County Relations office is central to that work.  

“At the end of the day, positive relationships and shared understanding lead to better outcomes,” Ouimette said. “That’s why this work matters.”