News from DHS for December 2015

Minnesota Department of Human Services
News from DHS

December 2015

News from DHS archive

A monthly update from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (mn.gov/dhs)


Gov. Dayton appoints Emily Johnson Piper to serve as Human Services commissioner

Gov. Mark Dayton announced Dec. 7 that he has appointed Emily Johnson Piper to serve as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). On Monday, Dec. 14, Piper succeeded Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, who was appointed by Gov. Dayton to serve on the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Commissioner Piper brings more than a decade of legal, policy and management experience to the position. More information is in a news release about the commissioner appointment on the Governor’s Office website.


Commissioner’s awards recognize human services leaders

Seven programs from across the state were honored Dec. 4 for their outstanding contributions to human services clients. Recipients of the 2015 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards were recognized at a ceremony at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in St. Paul. Lt. Gov. Tina Smith joined the ceremony honoring the awardees. Winners in the fifth annual Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards share the department’s commitment to supporting healthy people, stable families and strong communities. More information is in a news release about the awards.


DHS head calls for changes at state psychiatric hospital

Human Services Commissioner Emily Johnson Piper pledged Dec. 30 to take action to address ongoing issues with patient safety, staff injuries and overtime at the state-operated psychiatric hospital in Anoka. In a message to staff, Piper said she’s heard from employees at Anoka and is committed to and developing both the short-term help and long-term solutions to the very serious problems in our state’s safety net. In the immediate future, Piper told staff she expects meetings between management and labor to find solutions for problems facing Anoka related to mandated overtime, staff retention and recruitment. More information is in a news release about the Anoka hospital.


Tobacco treatment free for Minnesotans on Medical Assistance starting 2016

Keeping that New Year’s resolution to quit smoking may be easier in 2016, since tobacco treatment medication for Minnesotans on Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare will be completely free starting Jan. 1, 2016. Changes passed during the 2015 state legislative session waive copays for preventive services that are “A or B” rated by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, such as tobacco treatment counseling as well as FDA-approved smoking cessation medications. This means Minnesotans insured by Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare will have no copays for quit-smoking treatments starting in 2016. More information is in a news release about tobacco treatment.


DHS funds seven organizations serving sexually exploited youth

The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently awarded $3.3 million to seven Minnesota organizations providing emergency shelter, outreach services, and supportive housing specific to the needs of sex-trafficked minors. The funding will expand and continue services to youth. With additional funding for the 2016-2017 biennium, the number of shelter beds available to sexually exploited youth will increase from 25 to 48 in Duluth, Brainerd and the east Twin Cities’ metropolitan area. More information is in a news release about the funding.  


State Fair survey: Many not ready for long-term care costs

A large percentage of Minnesotans continue to be unsure about how they would pay for long-term care expenses as they age, but many are interested in financial products that could help them pay for that care. Those are among results of a retirement and long-term care planning survey, conducted at the State Fair this year for the ninth time since 1998 by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging. More information is in a news release about the survey results.


Survey: Older Minnesotans working longer, delaying retirement, staying put in winter

Compared to years past, older Minnesotans are working longer, delaying retirement and escaping in fewer numbers to warmer climates during the winter. Those are among findings of the 2015 Survey of Older Minnesotans done by the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. More information is in a news release about the report.


Minnesota ranked first in the nation for state health system performance

A new report from the Commonwealth Fund has ranked Minnesota first in the nation for state health system performance. The fourth-annual Commonwealth Fund Scorecard on State Health Performance tracks performance measures across all 50 states. These measures include access and affordability, prevention and treatment, avoidable hospital use and cost, healthy lives, and equity. More information is in a news story about the health care ranking


Minnesota lauded as national leader in mental health reform

Minnesota was one of only two states recognized by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) as a national leader for mental health reform for the second year in a row. In its third annual survey of state mental health care legislation released Dec. 8, the national mental health organization specifically cites Minnesota as one of only 11 states that has have increased its investment in mental health services from 2013 to 2015. Minnesota, as well as New York and Virginia, is rated by NAMI as offering the strongest leadership in the country. More information is in a news story about the mental health ranking


Otter Tail County long-term care providers receive funding to demonstrate personal health records

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has awarded an Otter Tail County collaborative $1 million as part of a federally funded demonstration to better understand and expand the use of personal health records for older adults and people with disabilities receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports. The Otter Tail Personal Health Record Collaborative will use the funding from now through March 2018 to demonstrate the use of personal health records in Minnesota’s long-term services and supports system. More information is in a news release about the funding.


Health Care Financing Task Force holds public meetings

The Minnesota Health Care Financing Task Force recently held a meeting at the Eagan Community Center. The Dec. 18 meeting focused on health care system and payment reform and reviewed preliminary work group recommendations. More information about future meetings is on the task force website.


Fact sheets updated during December

Fact sheets about DHS programs were updated during December:


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