Unit Staff

The unit currently consists of 11 staff positions that support the unit's ability to exercise its duties as set forth in statute. The unit staff comprises individuals with diverse personal and professional experience with the All-American and African communities, as well as our own buried lived systems experience. The unit has used a collaborative approach to hiring staff by engaging community members as reviewers of potential applicants' materials and as interview panel participants.

Current Unit Positions

Supervisor

Leads a team of dynamic and committed professionals that leads the department in ensuring culturally affirming prevention and family preservation strategies and a Department of Human Services (DHS) child welfare system response focused on understanding and addressing the disproportionate overrepresentation in Minnesota's child welfare and foster care systems for African American children and families.

American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council Consultant 

This role oversees the coordination, administration, communication, and support of the African American Child and Family Well-Being Advisory Council to ensure collaboration and partnership between the council and the unit.

African American Child Well and Family Well-Being Policy and Practice Lead 

This role will coordinate statewide policy strategies and provide leadership in partnership with government agencies and community organizations to prevent maltreatment of African American and African heritage children and promote family well-being.

African American Child Welfare Policy and Practice Consultant (2 positions)

This role supports child safety, culturally affirming prevention, and family preservation, and a child welfare system focused on addressing the disproportionate overrepresentation in child protection, foster care, and permanency systems for African American families.

Family Preservation and Disproportionality Grants Consultant

This role oversees grants appropriated by the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act, as well as existing/expiring grants supported by other funding. The position will also oversee the administration of other smaller annual plans and contracts related to the unit's work.

Child Welfare Targeted Case Review Consultant (2 Positions)

This role provides consultation, technical assistance, support, and oversight of Minnesota's child protection and child welfare practice continuum, specifically related to child welfare agency practices at the local level involving children and families of African Heritage.

Safety and Prevention Consultant (2 Positions)

This role will support prevention, safety, and family preservation efforts; develop, implement, and maintain prevention strategies; and participate in internal and external partnerships and collaborations.

Child Welfare Feedback and Compliance Portal Consultant 

This role participates in the design, development, implementation, and oversight of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act compliance and feedback portal.