Community Advisory Board (CAB)

"Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is based on the idea that parents provide their child's first and most significant learning environment and are first and most enduring teachers. ECFE works to support parents/caregivers and to strengthen and empower families." --- Minnesota Department of Education ---- • Children under age 18 represent 23% of Minnesota's population • About 12.9%, of Minnesota's children lived in poverty in 2017 • About 6% of the state’s population are children age 0-4 • Challenges garents/guardians face: affordable quality childcare, services for children with special needs, parental stress

The experiences and concerns of participants in the study provide needed insight for 10KFS decision-making. A study participant who has experienced most of the study steps for adults and children, Alexis can help others understand what works well and how processes can be improved to make it easier and more satisfying to participate over time.

South Asian Population in Minnesota: Over 58,000 South Asians reside in Minnesota (2020 Census). Countries of Ancestry: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Tibet. 80% of South Asians in MN trace their origin to India. Immigration Status: 70% of South Asian Minnesotans are first-generation immigrants Acculturation Challenges: Physical and mental health, youth development, and family relationships. Health challenges: Pressing concerns around mental health, chronic disease management, senior care, and substance abuse.

Minnesota - 2024: 11 Tribal Nations - Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Red Lake Nation, White Earth Nation, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Prairie Island Indian Community, Shakopee-Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and Upper Sioux Community. They face significant health disparities, including a higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, a much higher maternal mortality rate, and increased death rates from unintentional injuries, suicide, and drug- or alcohol-induced illnesses compared to the white population.

"More than 300,000 people of Latino descent live in Minnesota, making up nearly 6% of the state's population. While this total may sound modest in size, the Latino population growth in Minnesota has been quite large, increasing 24% since 2010, compared to 6% overall growth for the state." --- Minnesota Compass ---- • 23% are foreign-born • Top countries of origin - Mexico, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Cuba • English Language - Speaks well or is a native speaker - 61% • About 20% of the immigrant population is undocumented • Hispanic/Latino households have a median income of $50,900 • Top 3 health issues - Obesity, diabetes, and cervical cancer

Latinos in Minnesota have been reported officially since 1860, for the first time, and then in 1865, when the state was officially recognized. Today, Latinos represent 6.1% of the entire population, adding up to 345,640 in 2020, according to the Census data. However, the exact number of Latinos in the state is still unknown, as several people refused answering the census questionnaire because of the many changes that were proposed to implement, which fortunately were not, but that deterred many people to be counted. Estimates of undocumented population in the state reach up to 80,000, with an average of 25,000, who require of being noticed to receive the services and resources that they deserve and need.

Northeast MN Rural Health • Health Care & Social Assistance is a key employment sector in Northeast Minnesota, accounting for about 24.1% of all jobs in the region... • The region has one of the highest job vacancy rates in MN. In 2024, Northeast MN had a job vacancy rate of 6.2%, the highest among the state’s six planning regions. Health Care & Social Assistance is among the industries with the highest vacancy rates (≈ 8.2%)... • Workforce shortages are acute, especially in rural/small-town settings: many health-care providers report intentions to leave within 5 years, especially physicians in rural areas.

African Americans are Americans with total or partial African ancestry, especially of Black African descent. ------ • African Americans in MN - 370,000 (Census) • Economic challenges – Access to capital; low homeownership rates; far smaller tax base compared to other communities in Minnesota. • Educational disparities – Among all US states, Minnesota has the largest educational gap between US European American and African American students (Covid 19 both exposed and exacerbated that problem). The number of African American educators in the classroom is drastically out of proportion to the number of African American students. • Health issues: (1) systemic racism based trauma (2) hypertension (3) diabetes & obesity

There are about 79,000 people of Somali heritage living in Minnesota --- Minnesota Compass --- • 59% are foreign-born • 78% live in the Twin Cities area • 50% are younger than 17 years old • English - 42% Speak well or are native speakers • 48.5% have income below the poverty line • 43% have less than a high school education • Top health issues - Asthma, cardio-vascular disease, diabetes, and domestic violence

Cindy's role as heath equity leader and advocate is to serve as voice in community and in leadership. Because of economic, political, social and structural racism, many people quiet their voice and feel discouraged with advocating for themselves, their community and families. Cindy said: "I serve as a health equity leader and advocate with intention and purpose to advocate for all people. I partner with community and systems in effort to disrupt inequities and strive to be an influencer that will result in health policies that will improve health outcomes for all."

20% of Minnesotans are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing. "People who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing often experience barriers to communication and the acquisition of information. These barriers can lead to missing pieces of information others may take for granted, such as how the world works, how systems work and effective ways to navigate them, how to manage and cope with life’s everyday challenges." --- Minnesota Human Services - DHH division ---- • Educational attainment • Economic impact • Health issues - Mental health, and chemical dependency

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Minnesota, yet more people are living longer following a cancer diagnosis and treatment. About four or five people out of ten will be diagnosed with some type of cancer at some point in their lifetimes. ---- MN Public Health Data Access ---- • Challenges for patients and their families face multiple challenges: financial strain, mental and emotional stress, access to treatment, and there are often added challenges for non-white cancer patients.

The University of Minnesota Extension is the outreach and public service arm of the University, offering practical, research-based education and resources that help people, businesses, and communities build skills and solve problems. Present in all 87 Minnesota counties, Extension focuses on community development, agriculture and natural resources, food and nutrition, and youth development, connecting community needs with University expertise to address critical issues. The Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing supports families and caregivers in making informed decisions that strengthen health, resilience, and overall well-being.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus ( LGBTQ+) people live in every geographic area around the state and are active members of our community. ---- • Discrimination • Financial challenges • Top 3 health issues

"Hmong people began coming to Minnesota in 1975 as refugees from the destructive wars that had ravaged their homelands in Laos. Today, there are more than 66,000 Hmong in Minnesota, and the Twin Cities metro is home to the largest concentration of Hmong in America." --- Minnesota Historical society ----- • % foreign-born vs % US-born • Language and Economic challenges • Educational attainment • Discrimination • Top 3 health issues

Rural Minnesotans face a variety of health challenges. Rural residents are more likely to get health care through public sources, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Minnesota Care. While health care facilities are distributed throughout the state, they are more spread out in rural areas, and there is a severe shortage of all provider types, especially in primary care and mental health. --- Minnesota Department of Health. --- • 80% of Minnesota counties qualify as mental health professional shortage areas. • Rural Minnesotans are more likely to smoke cigarettes, have more chronic conditions, report poorer health status, and experience higher rates of frequent mental distress and suicide • More barriers to getting screened for cancers, such as education and proximity or access to health care services, often mean later cancer diagnosis and higher mortality in those areas.