Accomplishments

Over the years, MN-ICECI has:

Secured federal funding for the initiative.

Narrowed scope to focus on young African American children (ages 0-3) and their families.

Established Community Advisory Council: Launched April 2022.

Commissioned a systems assessment.

Completed a strategic plan.

Recruited a corps of parent ambassadors to engage African American families in conversations about screenings, referrals, and follow-ups within health settings; to introduce families to existing resources they may not be familiar with; and to help identify gaps that may exist within the existing system.

Explored ways for storytelling to be incorporated into early childhood systems and spaces so that families can share, connect, and be supported through story sharing.

Connected with and linked some state systems to the impactful early childhood and family support work that is happening within the African American community. 

Examined ways to hold early childhood systems accountable when gaps are identified.

Explored frameworks for accountability that can be created in Minnesota that incorporate feedback loops between the community, the state, local governments, and early childhood systems; and space for communities and systems to work together to identify issues and find family-centered solutions.

Commissioned an evaluation.

Completed Family Health Ambassadors 20-month Report. May 2024–December 2025.

Completed Family Health Ambassadors 6-month Report, January–June 2026.