MFIP/Tribal TANF Conference
The Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division (EAESD) at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) hosts a conference for providers of Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) and Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
The MFIP/Tribal TANF Conference is an opportunity to engage with stakeholders across the system to refocus our goals, learn from each other, find ways to better support the people we serve and celebrate the achievements and hard work of people across the system.
2026 Conference Update
Thank you to all the attendees, presenters, and panelists for a great MFIP and Tribal TANF conference!
Our keynote speaker, Dr. Anton Treuer showed how Indigenous knowledge offered holistic approaches to well-being. He highlighted the interconnectedness of physical, mental, spiritual, and financial health and emphasized balance as key to resilience. Participants learned how culturally rooted practices could strengthen services, improve outcomes, and support healing. Through stories and practical strategies, he encouraged a vision of wellness grounded in both tradition and innovation.
Congratulations to our 2026 award winners!
The winners are:
Employment Counselor of the Year:
- Kirsten Waterman with Rural MN Concentrated Employment Program Inc (RMCEP)
Eligibility Worker of the Year:
- Melissa Mistic with Beltrami County
Rising Star Award:
- Solomon Wilhelm with JET Northeast MN Office of Job Training
- Jamie Hudulla with American Indian Family Center
Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Valerie Syverson with Beltrami County
- Audrey Lukanen with RMCEP
Exceptional Leadership Award:
- Brandon Larson with RMCEP
- Elena Foshay with City of Duluth Workforce Development
- Charlita Holley with Hennepin County Well-Being
Exceptional Teamwork Award:
- Bryce Brittain, Chad Schroth, Amy Mistic, Jerika Christiansen, Amber Asplund, Lauren Haun, and Nicole Johnson with Beltrami County Workforce Impact
- June Carter, Stephanie Randy, Holly Smith, Cole Maki, Penny Godden, Brian Freseman, and Leslie Perrett with the City of Duluth MFIP Team
- Georgette Skindelien, Chad Willemssen and Josie Chavez with Kandiyohi County MFIP employment services and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) employment and training
- Mohamed Abdi and Fozia Ali with African Community Services
Big thank yous!
Thank you to those who provided technical and moderator support during the conference:
- From DCYF: Angela Holmen, Emily Spicer, Molly Sir, James Witbrook, Pamela Majkozak, Ryan Emmons, and Amanda Darwin
- From Community Action Duluth: Elizabeth Ream
Also a huge thank you to our external conference planning partners for their contribution and commitment to making this year successful!
- Lindsey Reuer with American Indian Family Center
- Cole Maki with City of Duluth
- Scott Yeazle with Community Action Duluth
- Leanna Larson with HIRED
- Eileen Lewis
2026 Conference Presentations and Materials
Keynote speaker
Keynote speaker Dr. Anton Treuer Recording
An overview of Adult Career Pathways and why co-enrollment is beneficial to MFIP
An overview of Adult Career Pathways and why co-enrollment is beneficial to MFIP Recording
An overview of Adult Career Pathways and why co-enrollment is beneficial to MFIP PowerPoint
An overview of Adult Career Pathways and why co-enrollment is beneficial to MFIP Handout
Building better connections with emotional intelligence
Building better connections with emotional intelligence Recording
Building better connections with emotional intelligence PowerPoint
Child Care Assistance Program overview and tips for working with families with employment plans
Child Care Assistance Program overview and tips for working with families with employment plans Recording
Child Care Assistance Program overview and tips for working with families with employment plans PowerPoint
CCAP Facts and Figures Handout
CCAP Family Profile Handout
CCAP Policy Specialist Map and List Handout
CCAP Provider Profile Handout
CCAP What is the Child Care Assistance Program Handout
Charting a safer course to economic stability: Understanding safety concerns, measures, and impact in child support and public assistance programs
Child Support program and cooperation requirements 101 PowerPoint
Empowering workers through technology to support families
Empowering workers through technology to support families Recording
Empowering workers through technology to support families PowerPoint
Exploring early childhood system resources together: A guided navigation session for MFIP and Tribal TANF partners
Exploring early childhood system resources together: A guided navigation session for MFIP and Tribal TANF partners Recording
Exploring early childhood system resources together: A guided navigation session for MFIP and Tribal TANF partners PowerPoint
Exploring early childhood system resources together: Help Me Connect family support questionnaire Handout
Exploring early childhood system resources together: Help Me Connect table of contents Handout
How to complete a combined Six-Month Review/Recertification
How to complete a combined Six-Month Review/Recertification materials and recording are available by logging into SIR
How to do an application interview from the Combined Application Form
How to do an application interview from the Combined Application Form materials and recording are available by logging into SIR
How scarcity affects you and your clients
How scarcity affects you and your clients Recording
How scarcity affects you and your clients PowerPoint
Immigration hotel: Understanding the U.S. immigration system
Immigration hotel: Understanding the U.S. immigration system Recording
Immigration hotel: Understanding the U.S. immigration system PowerPoint
Introduction to social security disability benefits
Introduction to social security disability benefits Recording
Introduction to social security disability benefits PowerPoint
MFIP budgeting policy and practice
MFIP budgeting policy and practice materials and recording are available by logging into SIR.
MFIP consolidated fund budgets and allocation 101
MFIP consolidated fund budgets and allocation 101 Recording
MFIP teen parent project
MFIP teen parent project Recording
MFIP teen parent project PowerPoint
Moving beyond eligibility: Shifting from transactional systems (of harm) to relational systems (of care)
Moving beyond eligibility: Shifting from transactional systems (of harm) to relational systems (of care) Recording
Moving beyond eligibility: Shifting from transactional systems (of harm) to relational systems (of care) PowerPoint
Moving beyond eligibility: Art of Hosting framework and methods as participatory research Handout
Moving beyond eligibility: Menti results Handout
Moving beyond eligibility hosting pocket guide Handout
Paths to Parenthood
Paths to Parenthood Recording
Paths to Parenthood PowerPoint
Real Work. Real People.
Real Work. Real People. Recording
Real Work. Real People. PowerPoint
Self-care: The good, the bad, and the ugly
Self-care: The good, the bad, and the ugly Recording
Self-care: The good, the bad, and the ugly PowerPoint
Sharing ideas and best practices for participant engagement
Sharing ideas and best practices for participant engagement Recording
Sharing ideas and best practices for participant engagement PowerPoint
Sharing ideas and best practices for participant engagement summary of chat Handout
SunBucks in Minnesota 101
SunBucks in Minnesota 101 Recording
SunBucks in Minnesota 101 PowerPoint
Transitioning between programs
Transitioning between programs materials and recodring is available by logging into SIR
Transitioning between program resources Handout
We are all criminals: Seen and Swallowed (the unmaking of families, food, and belonging)
We are all criminals: Seen and Swallowed (the unmaking of families, food, and belonging) Recording
We are all criminals: Seen and Swallowed (the unmaking of families, food, and belonging) PowerPoint Part 1 and Part 2
What is needed to care for ourselves and reclaim our own agency in an ever changing world?
What is needed to care for ourselves and reclaim our own agency in an ever changing world? Recording
2025 Workshop Presentations and Materials
2025 conference day 1
Day 1 workshop recording is only available by logging into SIR
2025 conference day 2
Day 2 workshop recording
Sanction Reform Overview PowerPoint
Increasing Engagement Strengthens MN Families PowerPoint
Strengthening MN Families PowerPoint
Strengthening MN Families: A Family Cash Workshop Q&A
Disclaimer: This information is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities by emailing Ma.Yang@state.mn.us. For other information on disability rights and protections, contact the agency’s ADA coordinator.
Report this page