DCYF IAC established with three Tribal Nations and two county associations; additional Tribal Nations interested

Fond du Lac Band, Leech Lake Band, White Earth Nation, Association MN Counties (AMC), and MN Association of County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA) signed onto a charter with DCYF to establish an Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) to advise the Commissioner on the planning, design, administration, funding, and evaluation of services to Minnesota's children, youth, and families. DCYF is preparing for the inaugural IAC meeting to be scheduled in late October or early November, where the group will begin to establish its operating bylaws and develop a plan of subject areas to focus on in the coming year.

The Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators (MACSSA) adopted the DCYF IAC charter on August 21, 2025; and White Earth Nation adopted the charter on August 29, 2025. Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Tribal Council and Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation Business Committee adopted the charter on September 2, 2025, and September 9, 2025, respectively. The Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) adopted the charter on September 10, 2025. Three additional Tribal Nations have informed DCYF that they are moving through an approval process.

IAC is comprised of 1 representative from each participating Tribal Nation, 4 to 6 from DCYF, 2 to 5 from AMC, and up to 11 from MACSSA. Tribal Nations may choose to participate or withdraw from the IAC at any time.