Ramsey County will strengthen families and individuals by expanding access to quality early childhood care and education and, through its partnerships, connect community to nutritious and culturally appropriate food resources. Early and ongoing investment in families leads to better educational outcomes; greater generational economic prosperity, and wealth-building; and stronger, healthier communities. Gaps in early childhood care and education disproportionately impact Black/African American and American Indian children living in Ramsey County. Additionally, our racially and ethnically diverse communities are also more likely to experience food insecurity which can result in worsening health and chronic disease outcomes, as well as increased stress levels. Infants, children, and youth who have healthy minds and bodies have greater success throughout their lives, and adults and seniors who have better access to food can maintain better health and independence.
Ramsey County does not provide direct childcare services or food distribution, but it does play a critical role in ensuring these needs are met in the community. Our strategies are based on transforming internal processes and culture to holistically support families and individuals, build community capacity in a self-sustaining manner, and build internal and community infrastructure. This is necessary to ensure that children are well-cared for, parents have the knowledge to nurture their children, and community has access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods that support a healthy, active lifestyle. Ramsey County will connect policies, programs and processes to address family and individual needs through a holistic approach.
Racial equity and shared power
Ramsey County is committed to uplifting traditionally marginalized voices through community engagement and shared decision-making. The county partners with the Health and Wellness Service Teams’ Family and Youth Committee, Childcare Early Childhood Care and Education Coordination and Alignment Committee (ECCE), Food Security Action Teams, Workforce Innovation Board of Ramsey County, and local community organizations to execute the strategies outlined in this priority.
Strategic priority goals
- Development of a sustainable model for family coaching services with partner organizations who have a history of trusted relationships with Black and American Indian families.
- Full implementation of key priorities identified in the 2024/2025 Food Security strategic Plan to improve provision of direct services and enhance infrastructure supports for food security providers.
- Creation of a one-stop, automated referral system that recommends county programs and benefits for which families may be eligible and connects them to resources.
- Expansion of a culturally responsive and diverse early childcare workforce to increase the number of providers and enhance the availability of affordable, high-quality childcare.
Actionable strategies
- Coordinate and promote partnerships within food-related organizations and internally within impacted departments to build referral processes to address immediate food needs and identify policy improvements to advocate for change.
- Identify a basic needs screening process to use internally at entry points into the Ramsey County benefit system to make sure basic needs are addressed and referrals happen to other county benefits.
- In partnership with community, identify internal Ramsey County partners to expand family coach services. Develop a plan to sustain Family Coach, including a structure to support family coaches with best practices for successful coaching.
- Create a coordinated, sustainable process in the MFIP Young Adult Program to increase awareness of and connection to early childhood care and education (ECCE) programming to support young parents on their path to economic prosperity and meaningful careers.
- Support the American Indian Economic Mobility Hub through family coach funding and evaluation and research in-kind services.
- Partner with Workforce Solutions and Think Small to develop the childcare workforce through the Early Childhood Academy.
