Community Solutions Advisory Council

The Community Solutions Advisory (CSA) Council advises MDH on the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grant program. The CSA Council is charged with:

• Guiding MDH in developing the request for proposals for Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grants while considering how the grants can build on communities’ capacities to promote child and family well-being.
• Reviewing applications for Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grants and making recommendations to MDH about which applicants should be funded.
• Collaborating with MDH to create a transparent and objective accountability and evaluation process focused on the outcomes of community solutions for healthy child development grantees are working to achieve.
• Advising MDH on ongoing oversight of the Community Solutions for Healthy Child Development Grant program.
• Supporting MDH on other racial equity and early childhood grant efforts, as appropriate.

Council membership

As outlined in 2023 Minnesota session law, chapter 70, senate floor 2995, section 18, the CSA Council has 13 members. Three members representing Black Minnesotans of African heritage, one of whom is a parent with a child under the age of eight years at the time of the appointment; three members representing Latino and Latina Minnesotans, one of whom is a parent with a child under the age of eight years old; three members representing Asian-Pacific Minnesotans, one of whom is a parent with a child under the age of eight years old; three members representing the American Indian community, one of whom is a parent of a child under the age of eight years old; and one member with research or academic expertise in racial equity and healthy child development. The commissioner must include representation from organizations with expertise in advocacy on behalf of communities of color and Indigenous communities in areas related to the grant program. At least three of the 13 members of the advisory council must come from outside the seven-county metropolitan area. 

The commissioner must convene meetings of the advisory council at least four times per year.

Current members:

• Aida Mejia-Fergen
• Alexandra Rodriguez
• Betty Emarita
• Dr. Ruby Nguyen
• Gevonee Ford
• Jennifer Greenleaf
• Monica Ibarra
• Kalthoum Mohamed
• Lora Horgen
• May Esperanza Losloso
• Andrea Smith
• Sai Thao
• Cheryl Thomas

Meetings

The council began monthly meetings in December 2023.

For more information about the CSA Council, please contact us at 651-201-5813 or health.equity@state.mn.us.