Today I attended the online-based Technology Advisory Council (TAC) Full Council Meeting. The TAC is a permanent body to advise Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and executive branch agencies on strategic information technology initiatives and service delivery. Meetings are open to the public. I have taken notes on the presentation only.
They heard from DCYF Integration Layer – Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). They are working on modernizing technology with a goal to adapt a whole family approach. They want to give staff more time to spend with the families.
Notes/Video/Slides from Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
Technology Advisory Council – Full Council Meeting:
- Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
- Time: 8:30 – 11 a.m. CDT
- Location: Virtual Meeting – email tac.mnit@state.mn.us for information on how to join the meeting.
From the chat:
- Here’s a link to the Chapter Law for the Human Services Modernization Fund, Council, and Commission: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2026/0/Session+Law/Chapter/120/
- Here’s a link to the Chapter Law for the Human Services Modernization Fund, Council, and Commission: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2026/0/Session+Law/Chapter/120/
- Technology should be leveraged to allow enrollees to report changes electronically with a no wrong door approach. Clients are expected to know all their different workers/teams and call on the phone, often with long hold times, to report changes. Audits have shown clients do try to report changes, but often the changes only get entered into one system/program.
Answer: yes - To me, it seems that the “Policy Engine” would be the hardest thing to design. But the use case is so common that surely tons of work has been done on this topic across the country.
Answer: We have learned from legacy system and what has happened in other states. We look at state and federal parameters. Policy support is key. - Is this pilot connected to the SNAP benefits project?
Answer: They will - Any specific way to volunteer/register for some of these different projects?
Answer: not an immediate opportunity but good idea - Is there an advisory committee that could be used to provide input/volunteer? Mtgs to attend
Answer: not yet - Not just keyboard only. Workers must memorize thousands of secret codes. Update the STAT MEMI
But in the defense of green screen, it does work well for quick keyboard entry instead of a mouse….
https://cms1files.revize.com/assocofminnesotacos/publications/MnCountiesMagazineWINTER2025.pdf?t=202601221049170&t=202601221049170 - A challenge will be getting good data
- How is the search from the Chief Data Officer?
We are creating a new position. Usually comes through the Governor’s Budget, which isn’t helpful this year. The legislature provided MNIT with some one-time funding. - Do you need new legislation to get the position?
We need a budget order and one-time funding will likely not work. - Home site for accessing previous Technology Advisory Council (TAC)/Blue Ribbon Council on IT (BRC-IT) reports, along with other information about the council including upcoming meetings, current appointed membership, etc. https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/committees/tac.jsp
