IAC Deepens Prevention Priority Setting at July 16 Virtual Meeting

The DCYF Intergovernmental Advisory Council (IAC) convened on July 16 for a virtual meeting focused on ongoing prevention work, legislative updates, and statewide implementation planning for the Age of Delinquency policy change. Members, alternates, and partners from Tribal Nations, counties, and DCYF joined the discussion.

DCYF Legislative and Department Updates

DCYF Government Relations staff provided an overview of the 2026 legislative session and shared highlights form the department's proposal development cycle for 2027. Members discussed how the IAC can support early idea generation and partner engagement during summer and fall. DCYF noted that the IAC can serve as an additional structure, alongside existing Tribal Nation and county association engagement as the department prepares for prioritization later in the year.

IAC Prevention Breakout Discussions

The IAC completed two rounds of small-group breakout conversations to continue shaping the council’s prevention priorities. Members discussed themes across fiscal needs, policy and statute alignment, community-based prevention, workforce capacity, and cross-system integration.

Common themes included:

• The need for flexible, multi‑year funding aligned with local community priorities.
• Opportunities to better integrate prevention‑related funding streams and reduce barriers created by narrow eligibility requirements.
• Growing success of Family Resource Centers and Parent Support Outreach Program models in supporting families upstream.
• Ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining a prevention‑focused workforce across counties and Tribal Nations.
• The importance of simplifying cross‑system access for families and strengthening culturally grounded prevention approaches.

DCYF will share a summary of breakout insights along with a follow‑up survey to support refinement of prevention priority areas.

Age of Delinquency Implementation Update

Staff from Minnesota Management and Budget shared updates on the upcoming implementation of the new minimum delinquency age, which rises from 10 to 13 on August 1, 2026. Statewide workgroups continue to shape guidelines, service mapping, workforce training supports, and long‑term recommendations extending into 2027.

County representatives highlighted several considerations, including placement resource constraints, varying interpretations among county attorneys, and the absence of new funding to support anticipated shifts in caseloads. Members also discussed long‑term system needs and the potential formation of an IAC subcommittee to help align county and Tribal perspectives as implementation unfolds.

More information on the July 16 meeting of the IAC including presentation slides can be found in July 16 meeting materials.