Subdivision 1.Establishment.

The commissioner of human services shall establish a family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) grant program to promote children‘s social-emotional learning and healthy development, early literacy, and other skills to succeed as learners and to foster community partnerships that will help children thrive when they enter school.

Subd. 2.Grant awards.

Terms Used In Minnesota Statutes 119B.196

  • children: includes children by birth or adoption;

    (9) "day" comprises the time from midnight to the next midnight;

    (10) "fiscal year" means the year by or for which accounts are reckoned;

    (11) "hereafter" means a reference to the time after the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (12) "heretofore" means a reference to the time previous to the time when the law containing such word takes effect;

    (13) "judicial sale" means a sale conducted by an officer or person authorized for the purpose by some competent tribunal;

    (14) "minor" means an individual under the age of 18 years;

    (15) "money" means lawful money of the United States;

    (16) "night time" means the time from sunset to sunrise;

    (17) "non compos mentis" refers to an individual of unsound mind;

    (18) "notary" means a notary public;

    (19) "now" in any provision of a law referring to other laws in force, or to persons in office, or to any facts or circumstances as existing, relates to the laws in force, or to the persons in office, or to the facts or circumstances existing, respectively, on the effective date of such provision;

    (20) "verified" when used in reference to writings, means supported by oath or affirmation. See Minnesota Statutes 645.45

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Minority: means with respect to an individual the period of time during which the individual is a minor. See Minnesota Statutes 645.451
  • state: extends to and includes the District of Columbia and the several territories. See Minnesota Statutes 645.44

The commissioner may award grants under this section to the following entities working with FFN caregivers: community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, local or regional libraries, local public health agencies, and Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations. Grantees may use grant money received under this section to:

(1) provide culturally and linguistically appropriate training, support, and resources to FFN caregivers and children’s families to improve and promote children’s health, safety, nutrition, and learning;

(2) connect FFN caregivers and children’s families with community resources that support the families’ physical and mental health and economic and developmental needs;

(3) connect FFN caregivers and children’s families to early childhood screening programs and facilitate referrals to state and local agencies, schools, community organizations, and medical providers, as appropriate;

(4) provide FFN caregivers and children’s families with information about high-quality, community-based early care and learning programs and financial assistance available to the families, including but not limited to child care assistance under this chapter and early learning scholarships under section 124D.165;

(5) provide FFN caregivers with information about registering as a legal nonlicensed child care provider as defined in section 119B.011, subdivision 16, and establishing a licensed family or group family child care program;

(6) provide transportation for FFN caregivers and children’s families to educational and other early childhood training activities;

(7) translate materials for FFN caregivers and children’s families and provide translation services to FFN caregivers and children’s families;

(8) develop and disseminate social-emotional learning, health and safety, and early learning kits to FFN caregivers; and

(9) establish play and learning groups for FFN caregivers.

Subd. 3.Administration.

Applicants must apply for the grants using the forms and according to timelines established by the commissioner.

Subd. 4.Reporting requirements.

(a) Grantees shall provide data and program outcomes to the commissioner in a form and manner specified by the commissioner for the purpose of evaluating the grant program.

(b) Beginning February 1, 2024, and every two years thereafter, the commissioner shall report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over child care on program outcomes.