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