MN HF1381

Commissioner of Health shall establish a grant program to improve child development outcomes for children of color and American Indian children from prenatal to grade 3, reduce racial health disparities, and promote racial and geographic equity.

Commissioner must develop a Request for Proposals in consultation with a Community Solutions Advisory Council, Center for Health Equity, and Maternal and Child Health Section; contract with independent third-party evaluator to assess program success.

12-member Community Solutions Advisory Council appointed by October 1, 2019, with representatives from African Heritage, Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, and American Indian communities, plus parents and academic/advocacy experts; at least 3 members from outside seven-county metro area.

Grants prioritize organizations led by people of color and American Indians, proposals focused on prenatal to age three, multigenerational solutions, and entities in high-risk counties lacking prior state grant funding; first grants awarded by April 15, 2020, for three-year periods.

$2,719,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2020 (planning grants of $100,000 for up to 20 organizations, administrative costs, evaluation, and training) and $5,219,000 for fiscal year 2021 (larger implementation grants up to $300,000, administrative costs, evaluation, and training).