|
Gov. Mark Dayton announced the creation of the Governor's Task Force on Mental Health to advise the governor and Legislature on improvements to Minnesota’s mental health systems. Dayton directed the task force to develop comprehensive recommendations to design, implement, and sustain a continuum of mental health services throughout Minnesota — comprehensive planning that has been missing from efforts to bolster our mental health system in the past. Commissioner Emily Piper will chair the task force, which was established by Executive Order 16-02 (PDF). More information is in a news story about the task force.
Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper visited Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center April 26 to urge support for much-needed improvements, including more nursing staff, security upgrades and a broader plan to make beds available to people who now must wait for treatment. Piper held a roundtable discussion with representatives from Minnesota Hospital Association, legislators, community partners, advocates and patients. Afterward, she met privately with employees to hear their concerns. More information is in a news release about Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center.
During a visit to St. Peter April 7, Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper underlined the importance of legislative bonding and budget proposals to complete a major overhaul of Minnesota Security Hospital, including significant increases in staffing and updated facilities to support a more therapeutic treatment environment. Gov. Mark Dayton's recommendation for $70 million in this year's bonding bill would complete the renovation of Security Hospital facilities, creating safer and more therapeutic living units, more transition housing, overall building improvements and the physical separation of the vulnerable adult patients from the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) population on the St. Peter campus. These improvements will also create safer working conditions for approximately 850 state employees who work at Security Hospital and related forensics programs. More information is in a news release about the St. Peter campus proposals. Gov. Dayton also issued a news release about the facility proposals.
"Changing Minds: Work by Patients at St. Peter Regional Treatment Center" will be on display at the Arts Center of Saint Peter from May 13 to June 12. The exhibition coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month and the 150th anniversary of St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, which is operated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. It will include works from patients at Minnesota Security Hospital and other forensic services programs on the campus. More information is in a news story about the patient art show.
More than 25,000 Minnesota children were assessed for abuse and neglect in 2014. Of those, 38 children suffered life threatening injuries and 19 died. In recognition of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April, Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper is encouraging strong support for efforts to prevent the abuse and neglect of children and urging communitywide involvement in these efforts. Working with county, tribal and community partners, the Department of Human Services (DHS) works to prevent abuse and neglect. More information is in news releases about Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and the Parent Support Outreach Program.
Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper visited communities in the Twin Cities and in Greater Minnesota to highlight initiatives that help young Minnesotans start school ready to learn. Commissioner Piper visited early education centers in Minnetonka and Winona this month. Gov. Mark Dayton and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith's supplemental budget recommends $28.3 million in fiscal year 2017 to improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the Child Care Assistance Program by increasing rates paid to providers, offering more flexibility for families and improving safety. The proposals would benefit 16,000 Minnesota families with 30,000 children and the 13,000 Minnesota child care providers who serve them. The governor and lieutenant governor's proposals also include $15 million in the capital budget plus $5 million in the supplemental budget in fiscal year 2016 to expand the Early Childhood Facilities grant program. More information is in a news release about the child care proposals.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration recently announced a new effort to provide Minnesota's homeless and at-risk veterans with expanded access to Social Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. SOAR, which stands for SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access and Recovery, is a nationwide program funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. SOAR helps people with disabilities gain access to SSI and SSDI by identifying people who may be eligible, assisting in preparing high-quality applications, compiling necessary documentation, and supporting individuals throughout the application process. More information is in a news story about the benefit expansion.
Fact sheets about DHS programs were updated during March and April:
Questions and comments about navigation and technical issues should be emailed to the DHS webmaster. Send news story ideas for the public website to DHS Communications.
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.
|
