Supporting Well-Functioning Systems for CYSHN and Families

Regional gatherings

The Minnesota Department of Health is hosting a series of in-person regional gatherings across Minnesota during summer and fall 2026.

These gatherings will bring together people from across health and related systems to reflect on what helps systems work well for children and youth with special health needs and disabilities and their families within each region.

Regional Systems Gatherings Registration

About the gatherings

Many of the opportunities and challenges related to supporting children and families happen across systems, relationships, and communities. Yet there are few opportunities to step back together across sectors and regions to reflect on how systems are functioning and what families are experiencing.

These gatherings are grounded in a health systems focus while recognizing that children and families often experience systems across health care, public health, behavioral health, education, community organizations, and other connected supports.

Experiences can look different across regions and communities. Each gathering is intentionally region-based and designed to create space for conversation, reflection, and shared learning about:

• What is working well.
• Where families can experience challenges or disconnection.
• What conditions help systems feel more coordinated, accessible, and supportive within each region.

Questions we’ll explore

• What does a well-functioning system look like in this region?  
• Where are systems working well?  
• Where do families experience challenges or disconnection?  
• What helps systems feel more coordinated and supportive?  
• How can state systems better support regional efforts?

How we’ll spend our time together  

These gatherings will focus on:

• Shared conversation and reflection.  
• Small-group discussion.  
• Relationship-building across perspectives and systems.  
• Regional strengths, realities, and systems experiences.  

This is not a presentation-based meeting. Participants will be invited to share perspectives, reflect together, and contribute to a deeper understanding of how systems are experienced within their region.

Space will be limited to support meaningful conversation and connection.

Who should attend?

People across health care, public health, behavioral health, education, community organizations, family leadership, advocacy, and related settings who are connected to supporting children and families are welcome to attend.

Accessibility  

MDH is committed to creating spaces that are welcoming and accessible. Participants will be invited to share accessibility, accommodation, and dietary needs during registration.

Regional gathering dates

All gatherings will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will include lunch.

• Northeast (Duluth) – Monday, June 22, 2026
• West Central (Alexandria) – Wednesday, July 22, 2026  
• Northwest (Bemidji) – Thursday, July 23, 2026
• Metro South (TBA) – Monday, August 10, 2026
• Southwest (Mankato) – Tuesday, September 15, 2026
• Southeast (Rochester) – Thursday, October 8, 2026  
• Metro North (TBA) – Thursday, October 29, 2026

Additional location details will be shared with registered participants closer to each gathering date.

Regional Systems Gatherings Registration