Governor Walz Relaunches Administration's Children's Cabinet Putting Children at the Center of Government

Statement

Today the Walz-Flanagan Administration created a call to action to put children and families at the center of Minnesota's government. Governor Walz signed Executive Order 19-34 launching new actions and accountability for Minnesota's children, which will be led by a revamped Children's Cabinet. Through the Executive Order, the Children' Cabinet is charged with taking a data-driven and results-oriented approach to ensuring Minnesota's systems are aligned around services and opportunities for Minnesota's children as well as the adults in their lives.

"The success of our state depends on our investment in the success of all our youngest Minnesotans and the creation of an environment in which they can thrive," said Governor Tim Walz. "We want Minnesota to be the best place to raise a family--for everyone."

"Today race, zip code and income are too often a determinant of opportunity, and our efforts have not led to equitable outcomes for children of color, indigenous children, and children in greater Minnesota," said Lt. Governor Flanagan. "It is the mission of all of us to prioritize our littlest Minnesotans and I'm excited to do just that through our Children's Cabinet."

The Walz-Flanagan Children's Cabinet will work differently than in the past with leadership from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor as chairs and broad agency participation, understanding that children and families intersect with all systems of government. The work will take a whole family approach and focus on results-based accountability. The Children's Cabinet has work already under way including ensuring that every policy that comes to the Governor's desk is evaluated with a children and family lens.

The Walz Flanagan Children's Cabinet will encompass children of all ages and focus on a broad range of issues and challenges, including:
-Healthy beginnings (beginning with prenatal)
-Child care and education (beginning with early childhood)
-Mental health and well-being
-Housing stability

The work of the Children's Cabinet will include coordinating, streamlining and aligning programs and strategies, and promoting action and accountability to ensure that each and every Minnesota child, no matter their race or zip code, are prepared to participate in the state's future workforce and to be the leaders of tomorrow.

"Greater Minnesota families and children are facing pressing issues around child care access, lack of housing and transportation, and mental health needs," commented Tony Sertich, President, Northland Foundation. "Governor Walz's commitment to these issues and prioritization of children is exactly what we need to build the public-private partnerships necessary to take on these challenges."

"Governor Walz's vision for the newly formed Children's Cabinet creates opportunity for leadership, structure and accountability to address the most challenging problems facing our children," said Barbara Yates, President and CEO of Think Small. "Complex issues do not fit neatly into any one agency, and the solutions won't either."

"Research shows that when kids are healthy early, they have a better chance later in life. And we know it takes a broad range of community partners working together to really make a difference," said Andrea Walsh, president and CEO of HealthPartners and champion of the new "Little Moments Count" campaign. "We applaud the governor for prioritizing the health of our children."

"As a society, we profess that there is no greater resource than our children. But, in practice, we do not always act on what we profess. I am grateful to Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan for their commitment to put children front and center in our state's policy. Chi Miigwetch," said Justice Anne McKeig, Minnesota Supreme Court.

"Leveraging our efforts together to create brighter futures for kids could hold no higher value- smart government, true partnerships, bright futures for Minnesota kids! There is no better time than now," said Jennifer DeCubellis, Hennepin County, Deputy County Administrator- Health & Human Services

Minnesota's rich history of public-private collaboration will be leveraged to help address the needs of Minnesota's children. Additionally, community voices will be included through the engagement of children, families, local governments, and Tribal Nations. Two external bodies in particular will offer guidance to the Children's Cabinet: The Governor's Children's Cabinet Advisory Council and State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.

Applications for the Cabinet Advisory Council and State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care will be collected through the Secretary of State. To apply visit: https://commissionsandappointments.sos.state.mn.us/.

Minnesota's Children's Cabinet

Minnesota's Children's Cabinet was established via statute in 1993 (Statute 4.045). The Children's Cabinet membership and work has varied throughout the years, with Governor Mark Dayton reestablishing it in 2011. The Walz Flanagan Children's Cabinet consists of the ten agencies and departments required by statute with an additional twelve agencies and departments participating as designated by Governor Walz's Executive Order calling on placing children at the center of government. The staffing and administrative support for the Children's Cabinet will continue to be housed at Minnesota Management and Budget, as was done in the Dayton Administration. To learn more about Minnesota's Children's Cabinet, visit: mn.gov/childrenscabinet

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