MN SF1691

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 124D.165 to make homeless children whose families meet income criteria (185 percent of federal poverty level) eligible for early learning scholarships without requiring the income verification otherwise mandated.

Requires the Children's Cabinet to develop a cross-agency system plan providing coordinated support services for homeless families with children up to age four, in consultation with the Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, counties, school districts, and nonprofits.

Mandates the redesigned system address rural versus urban service delivery differences, staff training pipelines, statewide intake forms, continuous support plans following children after homelessness ends, data sharing systems, community outreach, personalized family navigation assistance, transportation options, and trauma-informed training for state-funded program staff.

Requires the Children's Cabinet to report findings, recommendations, and draft legislation to legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members overseeing early childhood education, housing, and human services by January 23, 2018.

Appropriates $200,000 in fiscal year 2018 for the Children's Cabinet system redesign report.