ST. PAUL, MN - Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment of Tikki Brown to serve as the first Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families when it is established in July 2024.

“I am excited to announce the appointment of Tikki Brown as Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families,” said Governor Walz. “Tikki’s work exemplifies our mission of making Minnesota the best state for children. As we continue our work to improve the effectiveness of state services, Tikki brings decades of experience and knowledge that will help ensure state government works for all children and families, and that support is available for those who need it most. I am excited to work with her in establishing this new agency.”

“Tikki Brown is a highly-qualified leader who has dedicated her career to advancing equity for children and families in the state of Minnesota,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “In establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Tikki is the leader we need to ensure that income, race, and ZIP code don’t determine the outcomes for any child in Minnesota. As someone whose family was lifted out of poverty by the public programs that DCYF will deliver, I know just how important these supports are to child outcomes, and I trust that Tikki will continue to reliably deliver these state services and promote equal opportunity for all children.”

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as Commissioner for an agency that has such a deep impact on the lives of so many Minnesotans,” said Brown. “From the initial inception of the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, I have been excited about the opportunity to create better outcomes for Minnesotans. As Commissioner, I look forward to bringing together a new leadership team and staff from multiple agencies, working with community partners and individuals impacted by our programs, to envision an improved future for our children, youth, and families.”

About Tikki Brown
Brown serves as the Assistant Commissioner for Children and Family Services with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Before her appointment as Assistant Commissioner in 2021, Tikki served as the agency’s Economic Opportunity and Nutrition Assistance Director. She has worked for DHS since graduating college in 2001, holding a variety of roles including Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity, Acting Director for SNAP Employment and Training, and Food and Nutrition Programs Supervisor. Tikki earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

Tikki Brown will start as Commissioner when the agency is originated by state law on July 1, 2024.

“We are excited to see the Department of Children, Youth and Families in the hands of such a capable leader with deep experience delivering food, housing, childcare and economic supports to Minnesota children and their families,” said State Director of Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota Alisha Porter. “Tikki Brown’s whole child, whole family background will help deliver on the new department’s promise of better coordination across the full spectrum of support our children and families need to thrive, consistent with Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota’s mission and priorities.”

“Tikki has dedicated her career to strengthening the lives of children and families, and her direct, hands-on experience in this field, working within the department of human services’ various programs including community action, will be a valuable benefit to Minnesota as we work to protect the safety and security of the youngest and most vulnerable populations,” said Executive Director of Minnesota Community Action Partnership Lori Schultz. “She has formed strong relationships with the state and community partners who contribute to these efforts. Tikki will be able to seamlessly transition into the role of commissioner, and I thank her for agreeing to step into this leadership position.”

“We are in full support of Tikki Brown appointment to serve as Commissioner of this newly developed Department of Children, Youth and Families for the State of Minnesota,” said Bois Forte Tribal Chair Cathy Chavers. “Tikki has been working with tribes for many years under the former Department of Health Services. She has always been an advocate for tribes, and we expect that to continue in this new role. We applaud Governor Tim Walz’s appointment of Tikki and look forward to working with her to help make a difference in the lives of children across the state of Minnesota, especially those who need it most. The knowledge and experience Tikki will bring to this position will be very helpful to tribes and the disparities we face.”

“Governor Walz had a very important pick to make, and I’m thrilled with this news,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Angela Conley. “Tikki is the best person slated to take on the Commissioner role in the new department.”

“Minnesota is incredibly fortunate to have Commissioner Tikki Brown leading this new chapter for children, youth, and families,” said Legal Aid attorney Jessica Webster. “Her commitment to agency excellence is unmatched, but perhaps most important to the families Legal Aid serves, we know she is committed to justice. It’s a hopeful time for this new agency, and we look forward to Commissioner Brown’s leadership and continued partnership.”

“I’ve had the honor of working with Tikki in state service for the last five years,” said Children’s Cabinet Executive Director and DCYF steering co-chair Erin Bailey. “She is an incredible partner, always focused on outcomes for each and every child and youth. The Children’s Cabinet looks forward to building on the Governor’s vision for a child-centered government.”

“We look forward to continued work with Tikki and our DCYF colleagues to help further our mission of ensuring every Minnesota student receives a high-quality education,” says Willie Jett, Commissioner of Education. “Our collaborative partnership with DCYF, centering children and families, will benefit young people throughout Minnesota.”

“I am so proud of Tikki Brown who, over 22 years, has gone from intern to assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services and now commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth and Families,” said DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “She brings a caring and collaborative approach to her work and has been a leader on many issues for children and families, including food security and family preservation.”

"We are very excited to work with Commissioner Brown in this new role. Our coalition of over 500 childcare centers across Minnesota have spent significant time the past two years getting to know Brown and the team working on setting the Department and we feel confident that this team will continue listening to and working in collaboration with childcare center owners, teachers and parents to make Minnesota the best state to raise a family." Alexa Howart and JaNaé Bates, Co-Directors of ISAIAH and Kids Count on Us.

“The Association of Minnesota Counties enthusiastically supports the appointment of Tikki Brown as the first commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Commissioner Brown is a passionate advocate for Minnesota’s children and families. She has a strong record of working with Minnesota counties to design, implement and deliver programs that have positive impact. We look forward to continuing this work together.” Julie Ring, Executive Director, Association of Minnesota Counties.

About the DCYF Implementation Office
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families Implementation Office, housed at Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB), provides administrative and project management, coordination, and capacity for the budget, policy, and administrative planning necessary to transfer programs centered on children and families and associated finances to the new agency. The office includes functions for engagement, human resources, legal analysis, coordination, and project management. Coordination across the affected state agencies is a core function of the office to build an agency with a mission to elevate and center the work done on behalf of children within state government.