Addressing Racial Inequities

Understanding barriers and finding solutions to participation in Parent Aware by racially, ethnically, culturally and geographically diverse providers.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is currently engaged in efforts to better understand and address inequities within Parent Aware. As part of this effort, in recent years, the department collaborated with Parent Aware partners through the Parent Aware Racial Equity Action Plan workgroup and engaged with hundreds of child care programs across the state to identify and report on barriers and to create a plan for improvement. 

DHS is now moving into the next phase of this work: gathering additional data and community input and implementing recommendations through the Parent Aware Redesign. This multi-year effort includes multiple projects and centers best practices and racial, cultural, linguistic, ability, and geographic equity.

As we continue this work, there will be many opportunities for partners, child care providers, and families to provide feedback. We are assembling a group of ambassadors to help advise and share information on the Parent Aware Redesign. Subscribe to the Parent Aware Racial Equity email list to receive updates on this work. You can also email questions to dhs.child.care@state.mn.us.

Learn more about the Parent Aware Redesign by visiting the DHS website.

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