Innovative reform initiative serves Minnesotans in public health care programs

The Integrated Health Partnerships (IHP), Minnesota’s groundbreaking approach to delivering quality health care more efficiently for low-income people, continues to grow across the state, now encompassing 19 provider groups and more than 340,000 enrollees in Medical Assistance, the state’s Medicaid program and MinnesotaCare, a program for residents who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. More information is in a news release about the IHP expansion.

DHS holds hiring event to fill nursing, direct care jobs

The Minnesota Department of Human Services held a hiring event Feb. 17 to fill more than 40 nursing and direct care job openings at the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center. Registered nurses (RNs), licensed professional nurses (LPNs), certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and mental health program assistants (MHPA) are needed to fill vacancies at the large inpatient psychiatric hospital serving adults with mental illness. The hiring event featured immediate, excellent career opportunities for people seeking positions in the health care field. Job seekers who were unable to attend the hiring event can apply online at mn.gov/careers and search for the following four job ID numbers: RN 1367, LPN 1643, CNA 1651, MHPA 1604. More information is in a news release about the hiring event.

Health Care Financing Task Force submits recommendations to governor, Legislature

The Minnesota Health Care Financing Task Force submitted the final package of recommendations to Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature Feb. 10. The report will stand as the Health Care Financing Task Force’s final recommendations on opportunities to reform Minnesota’s health coverage programs to ensure long-term sustainability. The Health Care Financing Task Force was created by the 2015 Legislature and Dayton, charged with advising on strategies to increase access and improve the quality of health care for all Minnesotans, including options for sustainable health care financing, coverage, purchasing and delivery for all insurance affordability programs. More information is in a news release about the recommendations.

Perry named DHS economic assistance, employment supports director

Jovon Perry was recently selected as director of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Children and Family Services’ Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division. In her new position, Perry manages the Minnesota Family Investment Program, Diversionary Work Program, Refugee Program Office, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Food Stamp Treasury Offset Program while leading staff in improving outcomes for Minnesota families with low incomes, and working with counties, tribes and communities to help families achieve economic stability. More information is in a news release about Perry’s appointment. 

Yang leading community partnerships and child care efforts for state

Cindi Yang is settling into her new position as director of the Community Partnerships and Child Care Services Division in the Minnesota Department of Human Services Children and Family Services administration, overseeing the: Child Care Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to help families with low incomes pay for child care; the Child Development Services, which coordinates policies, planning, research and evaluation for the state’s child care quality support system; and the Office of Economic Opportunity, which administers nearly 200 grants annually to more than 150 organizations to remove barriers imposed by poverty on the health and development of individuals and families. More information is in a news release about Yang’s appointment.

New Q and A feature added to website for family child care providers

A new page on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website provides family child care providers the opportunity to ask the department questions about licensed family child care. Family child care providers will submit their questions using the website page and DHS will consult with the provider’s licensor about the question before responding to the provider.   

Fact sheets updated during February

Fact sheets about DHS programs were updated during February:

• Brain Injury Waiver provides home, community-based services (PDF) (February 2016)
• Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver offers home, community-based services (PDF) (February 2016)
• Community Alternative Care Waiver serves people who are chronically ill (PDF) (February 2016)
• Developmental Disabilities Waiver supports people with developmental disabilities, related conditions (PDF) (February 2016)
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (PDF) (February 2016)
• Minnesota Food Shelf Program (PDF) (February 2016)
• Minnesota’s refugee resettlement programs (PDF) (February 2016)
• Safety-net supports: Basic questions and answers (PDF) (February 2016)

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This information is available in accessible formats for individuals with disabilities by calling 651-431-2911 or by using your preferred relay service. For other information on disability rights and protections, contact the agency's ADA coordinator.