HF 1541

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 02/25/2021 03:20pm

A bill for an act
relating to education; establishing grants for African immigrant youth and family
outreach programs; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; AFRICAN IMMIGRANT YOUTH AND FAMILY
OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Department of Education. new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2022 and $2,000,000
in fiscal year 2023 are appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of education
for grants to African immigrant youth and family outreach programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Grant uses for African immigrant youth and family outreach programs. new text end

new text begin (a)
Activities and services supported with grant funds under this section may be provided in
collaboration with the Somali American Farmers Institute, Voice of East African Women,
and other African immigrant community organizations and stakeholders.
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new text begin (b) The African immigrant youth programs must use a portion of funds received under
this section for programs targeted at African communities outside the seven-county
metropolitan area.
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new text begin (c) Grant funds awarded under this section may be used to:
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new text begin (1) identify and provide entrepreneurial opportunities for youth;
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new text begin (2) mentor youth to stay in school;
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new text begin (3) promote community education around fresh food access;
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new text begin (4) develop urban farming in summer programs for African immigrant youth and family
that are structured to offer components including urban farming, physical recreation, sports,
mentorship, education enrichment, art, and social activities that are culturally appropriate;
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new text begin (5) develop strategies, programs, and services, in collaboration with urban agriculture
at Somali American Farmers Institute and other community and private organizations that
provide services to at-risk African youth and families, to reduce and eliminate bullying,
abusive behavior in schools or at home, and the vulnerability of African youth to violent
organizations;
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new text begin (6) develop prevention strategies, programs, and services that may include but are not
limited to expressive and receptive communications programs including after school, paid
internship, and training programs to teach and develop appropriate skills for intrafamily
communication;
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new text begin (7) develop safety awareness to build protective skills and positive coping skills to deal
with bullying, domestic abuse and intrafamily violence, and violent confrontations in school
and the community; and
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new text begin (8) develop culturally appropriate individual and family counseling focusing on:
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new text begin (i) communication and interpersonal relations within the family in the East African
community;
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new text begin (ii) fresh food access, including access to affordable organic foods, to promote food
security;
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new text begin (iii) individual and family-oriented financial planning and management skill building;
and
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new text begin (iv) education and employment counseling, and directly link with organizations that
provide employment skills training, living wages job search and placement, and employment
support activities and services.
new text end