MN Transition Coalition News - January 11, 2021

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Crisis Resource for Veterans

 

 

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? Connect with the Veterans Crisis Line to reach caring, qualified responders with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
You can reach the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line, or text to 838255, or chat online 24/7/365

The National Alliance on Mental Illness - Minnesota is putting out Zoom meetings for mindfulness, stress support, and some counseling. Click HERE for more information.


New Grants for Mental Health First Aid Available

In December, the federal government appropriated $16.7+ million in funding for projects like Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) in FY2021. Take advantage of this opportunity – Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) grants are now available! MHAT grants will help expand MHFA to more schools, first responders, veterans and other communities, enabling more people to identify, understand and respond when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis. Join us for a webinar on Friday, January 8, from 3-4 p.m. ET, to learn more! Have MHFA grant questions? Contact us! To learn more about MHAT grants, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).


Virtual Criminal Expungement Clinic

Expungement is the process of going to court to ask a judge to seal a court record.  People request an expungement when they have been denied a job, housing, or a professional license because of a criminal incident that shows up on a background check.  Attend a virtual informational session via Microsoft Teams to learn more about the expungement process and have general questions answered by attorneys.  Registration is required.  Expungement court forms will be provided to all registrants. The link to the live online discussion will be emailed to registrants in advance.

  •  Thursday, Jan. 14, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, Feb. 18, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Virtual Eviction Expungement Clinic

Expungement is the process of going to court to ask a judge to seal a court record.  People request expungement of an eviction record to make it easier to find housing in the future.  Attend a virtual informational session via Microsoft Teams to learn more about the eviction expungement process and have general questions answered by attorneys.  Registration is required.  Expungement court forms will be provided to all registrants.  Funded by the Friends of Hennepin County Library in collaboration with Central Minnesota Legal Services.  The link to the live online discussion will be emailed to registrants in advance.

  •  Thursday, Jan. 21, 2 - 3 pm
  • Thursday, Feb. 25, 2 - 3 pm

The clinics are free but registration is required. Patrons can register here: website. They will send out the invite to all registrants with directions to join in (Microsoft Teams or call in) before each clinic starts. 


2021 Black-Centered Design Request for Proposals:

AALF is Seeking Black Community Engagement Project Proposals to Help Solve Our Community’s Most Complex Challenges

The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) is inviting individuals and organizations to submit innovative community engagement project proposals to solve some of the most pressing challenges in Minnesota’s Black community around Education, Health & Wellness, Family & Culture, and Economic Development by addressing our Black-Centered Design (BCD) problem statements.

If you or your organization’s project is chosen, AALF will provide workplan development support and other tools needed for implementation. Participants will receive help with project management execution, be connected to our network and expert community volunteers, in addition to receiving customized marketing and communications support. Selected projects will be shared with funders and elected officials.

Organizations and Individuals Are Welcome to Submit!

Submit your project idea via the application link HERE by February 2 (5:00 p.m. CST)


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Upcoming Workshops for Small Businesses

 

The Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is hosting several upcoming events for small businesses to learn more about government contracting and the resources available to them. These include:

  • January 5, 9:00am - 10:00am: Tri-State Webinar: Are You Up-To-Date, Changes in Government Contracting
  • January 5, 1:00pm - 2:30pm: Webinar: PTAC Orientation Class
  • January 12, 9:00am - 10:30am: Webinar: Exploring Federal Contracting: The Basics
  • January 19, 9:00am - 10:00am: Webinar: Federal Certifications for Government Contracting - 8(a) Focus
  • January 26, 9:00am - 10:30am: Webinar: Federal Contracting, A Deeper Dive

To register for these and other classes offered by PTAC, please click HERE


New Federal Law Will Provide More Housing Relief

Congress passed a COVID Relief package as part of the omnibus funding package on December 21 and it was signed into law on December 27, 2020.

The Relief package includes $25 billion in emergency rental assistance that will provide an estimated $375 million to Minnesota from the federal government. The new emergency rental assistance program has several key differences from the previous COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program that Minnesota Housing offered, which requires more time to evaluate. There are significant details and timing-related issues that need to be resolved, and we do not yet know when the funding will be available for renters to access. The high-level summary of the anticipated new program includes:

  • The State of Minnesota will receive at least 55% of the total funding, and cities and counties with populations above 200,000 can receive direct funding for up to 45% of the total. We are waiting for more information about how the distribution will work.
  • Subject to funding availability, the assistance is expected to be available for past-due and prospective rent for three months at a time, for up to 12 months. The assistance is for low-income renter households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI), with a priority for households below 50% AMI and households that have been unemployed 90+ days.
  • Eligible rental assistance expenses, which we expect will use at least 90% of the funding, will likely include rent, utilities, rent and utility arrears, and other direct rental housing related costs. The remaining 10% of the funding will likely be available for administrative costs and case management and other service costs, although much remains to be determined in this area.
  • This is a one-year program, with funds expected to be spent by September 30, 2021 and a spending deadline of December 31, 2021.

Click HERE to sign up to receive updates on the anticipated new emergency rental assistance program.