The Voices & Choices for Children MN coalition focuses on structural transformation, shaping equitable practices and policies that support better outcomes for children of color and American Indian children prenatal to 8 years old across Minnesota. We operate as a structural intervention, challenging the foundations of how child development is defined, funded, and regulated.
Our legislative advocacy is anchored in the belief that people of color and American Indians must be at the table as policies are created and decisions are made about and for our children.
Flagship Victory: Community Solutions Fund
Our leading legislative priority is the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grant Program (CSF). V&C worked with stakeholders to advocate for the creation of this program. We recognize that communities closest to the problems are also closest to the solutions, but are often furthest from the necessary resources.
The CSF is a legislative landmark that codified the transfer of decision-making power from state bureaucrats to community-led advisory councils. This fund supports local efforts to improve perinatal health, enhance child well-being, and strengthen community connections. The implementation of the CSF has been subject to rigorous evaluation using qualitative data.
Current Legislative Agenda
We continue to examine legislation as introduced to ensure all policies have a racial equity lens. Our ongoing priorities include:
- Building an Equitable Child Care System: We support the transformation of the early care and education mixed delivery system that meets the needs of all parents and children. This effort must include and honor Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) care, a crucial equity stance since this care is disproportionately used by immigrant and low-income families.
- Expanding Access to Paid Leave: We support a state Paid Family and Medical Leave social insurance program that addresses racial and geographic economic and health disparities.
- Maternal Health Initiatives: We have significantly expanded our focus on maternal health to interrupt racial disparities in birth outcomes. This includes support for planning grants for an American Indian-focused Birth Center (SF 4992) and an African American-focused Homeplace Model (SF 5171.
- Structural Governance: We monitor the transition to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and are active on high-level bodies like the Early Learning Council and the Governor’s Children’s Cabinet advisory bodies to influence policy implementation and ensure equity remains a priority.