The meeting spotlighted the Family Friend and Neighbor (FFN) caregiver program, a vital initiative aimed at supporting informal child care providers who do not hold a licensed daycare status. This program focuses on assisting caregivers in developing new skills and recognizing existing competencies, crucial for maintaining the quality of child care in the community. A representative emphasized the importance of staying connected with these caregivers, providing ongoing support, and encouraging them to transition into legal non-licensed providers, enabling them to receive state payments for their services.

Participation in the FFN program requires caregivers to provide at least five hours of child care weekly, be at least 18 years old, and meet specific background check requirements, which include CPR and other safety certifications. The speaker urged for increased advocacy for child care funding and quality by saying, “Bring us to the table… we can have a conversation and do great things for child care and families.”

Council members showed personal interest in the topic, with one member sharing their own experiences and inquiring about the nature of assistance provided by the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and its alignment with state-funded child care assistance. The discussion also explored the program’s history and its evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the vital role informal caregivers played during this time.

Adjustmentsttention was given to the challenges caregivers face, such as the number of children they can supervise and the process of becoming legal non-licensed providers. The representative explained that informal caregivers might care for all related children within their family and one unrelated child. The transition timeline varies due to factors like application completeness and background checks, with the recent move to an online system causing some delays.

In an acknowledgment of community contributions, a council member congratulated the speaker for receiving the Moorhead Moreheart award in May, recognizing their impact on the local community.

The meeting then shifted to cultural celebrations, with a presentation on Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. A speaker provided historical context, tracing its origins to the Asian Pacific American Heritage Week established in 1978. They highlighted notable moments in Asian-American history, such as the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants and the completion of the transcontinental railroad. The contributions of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States were emphasized, including their service in the armed forces and the resilience and influence of these communities.

The council also recognized Yolk Sim Gunaratne, the 2025 McNite Award recipient, for her leadership in cultural diversity resources since 1994. Her contributions to New American and ethnically diverse groups were commended as unparalleled. The celebration of Asian-American Heritage Month included a global market at the HemCom Center, featuring local vendors representing Asian heritage, such as Beast Thai Restaurant and Joy Studio. Chefs from Thai Orchid prepared a special menu to celebrate the occasion.

In law enforcement updates, Lieutenant Beta from the Moorhead Police Department reported on the ongoing integration of the new chief and the convergence of two recruitment programs: the cadet program unique to Moorhead and the statewide ICE Poet program funded by a grant. Six candidates were sent to Alexandria Technical College for police training, with notable diversity among the group, including Kurdish and female candidates, as well as a Hispanic cadet who recently assisted in a homicide investigation.

The Lieutenant emphasized the success of recruiting new cadets and the interest generated from local law enforcement students. Questions arose regarding recruitment efforts, with information available on the police department’s website and Facebook page. The role of the full-time administrative sergeant, focused on recruitment and managing the grant program for the ICE Poet initiative, was highlighted.

The meeting concluded with subcommittee reports and announcements. The awards committee noted that nominations for the Destiny Holiday Award had closed, with a recipient to be notified by June 5th. The award will be presented during the Moorhead Juneteenth celebration scheduled for June 19th at Concordia College. The education committee reported on efforts to enhance social media presence for the Human Rights Commission, and the new community center for the library was mentioned as a forthcoming improvement.