Accomplishments

Over the years, MN-ICECI has accomplished:

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. Key Questions the Assessment was designed to address:

What do Black families and providers recognize as the most critical gaps in the early childhood care and education system?

What, if anything, can families and providers indicate as the most beneficial gains in the system that are actively improving outcomes for Black children and families?

What is the vision of the future ecosystem, and how do we get there?

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.
Exploring ways for storytelling to be incorporated into early childhood systems and spaces so that families can share, connect, and be supported through story sharing.
Connecting with and linking some state systems to the impactful early childhood and family support work that is happening within the African American community.
Examining ways to hold early childhood systems accountable when gaps are identified.
Exploring 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 create space for communities and systems to work together to identify issues and find family-centered solutions.
Commissioned an evaluation.