Early Childhood

Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Child Care in Minneapolis

Supporting community‑based caregivers through partnership and purpose

What is FFN and Why It Matters?

FFN caregivers—including grandparents, relatives, friends, and neighbors—play a  vital role in Minnesota's child care ecosystem. They provide flexible, culturally responsive care—often without compensation—crucial for families with diverse schedules, cultures, or special‑needs children
Understanding that "you are more than a babysitter," the YCB provides caregiver supports—such as one-on-one navigator relationships, training, and health and safety curriculum—to strengthen caregiver capacity and child outcomes

Our Partners

We partner with community organizations to ground the State’s FFN supports in on-the-ground, neighborhood based relationships:

LaCreche Early Learning Centers

Provide culturally aligned outreach and training to FFN caregivers.
Offer play‑and‑learn sessions and developmental programming designed to support diverse linguistic and cultural communities.

Northside Child Development Center

Works directly with caregivers in North Minneapolis, offering peer learning groups and access to resources.
Focuses on safety protocols, pediatric CPR, early learning curricula, and supporting Child Care Assistance or scholarship registration as needed.

The Family Partnership

Supports caregivers with wellness coaching, caregivers’ support circles, and trauma‑informed care training.
Helps address caregiver needs in complex socio‑economic contexts, connecting them with broader community resources.

Cedar Riverside Network Site

Serves primarily East African and immigrant communities, providing multilingual caregiver training, resource translation, and culturally responsive educational supports.
Facilitates weekly learning circles for children and caregivers in culturally relevant forms.

Partnering locally through YCB and these organizations, caregivers can access:

One-on-one navigator support—including help registering as a legal non-licensed (LNL) provider for CCAP reimbursement and compliance with background checks and safety training.

Culturally tailored training and peer support groups that enhance early learning readiness and healthy development in young children.

Connections to play and learn events, public health materials, and caregiver networks grounded in specific neighborhood strengths and needs.

Grant Transparency and DCYF Partnership

Name of grant program: Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families Family Friend and Neighbor Grant Program.

The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board partners with the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) through the Family Friend and Neighbor Grant Program to support Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers in Minneapolis. Through this grant, YCB and community partners provide one-on-one navigator support, culturally responsive caregiver training, health and safety resources, peer learning opportunities, play-and-learn connections, and help with Child Care Assistance Program legal nonlicensed provider registration.

Grantee leadership: Ann De Groot, Executive Director, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board.

Grant management and oversight: Deby Ziesmer, MA Ed, Director of Early Childhood, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board. Deby directly manages and oversees YCB’s FFN grant activities, deliverables, partner coordination, and caregiver support implementation.

Direct contact: debra.ziesmer@minneapolismn.gov, 763-232-8649.

Mailing address: Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board, 350 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415.