MN HF3935

Appropriates funds from the general fund in fiscal year 2017 to the commissioner of education to establish a program providing outreach workers for Hmong, Burmese/Karen, Bhutanese, and other Southeast Asian immigrant and refugee communities in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and other concentrated population areas.

Outreach workers must help families increase access to early childhood care and education, early childhood health and developmental screening, and early reading assessments for English learners.

Requires provision of translation and interpretation services to help families obtain and complete application materials for early childhood programs and assessments.

Mandates establishment and maintenance of a parent leadership committee to equip parents and families with knowledge, skills, and resources needed to be active partners in their homes and communities.

Commissioner of education must report to the legislative committees with jurisdiction over K-12 education by February 1, 2018, on improved outcomes resulting from the program; any unexpended funds carry forward to the next fiscal year.