News from DHS for September 2016

Minnesota Department of Human Services
News from DHS

September 2016

News from DHS archive

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


DHS in the community

Commissioner Piper and Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa members

Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper met with Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Chairman Norman Deschampe and others Tuesday, Sept. 13, in Grand Portage. Other stops on the commissioner's tour of the northern part of the state in mid-September included Duluth for a Mental Health Task Force meeting, Breezy Point for remarks at the Minnesota Supervisors' Conference and more.

Commissioner Piper and employees at the Run@Work 5K

Commissioner Emily Piper, left, poses with employees and race participants Mary Britt, Denyqua Rodriguez, Stephanie Proposon and Allan Warrior at the Minnesota State Capitol 5K Walk/Run on Friday, Sept. 16 in St. Paul.


Recovery Month encourages greater awareness of the value of chemical and mental health treatment

Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed September 2016 Recovery Month in the state of Minnesota. September is the 27th annual National Recovery Month, designed to bring awareness to, as the governor’s proclamation says, how “Every day, Minnesotans across the state recover from substance use and mental health disorders and join the thousands of vital, active, and contributing members of our communities who live in long-term recovery.” This year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!” highlights the value of peer support by educating, mentoring and helping others. More information is in a news release about Recovery Month.


Preventing opioid prescription medication abuse receives funding

Minnesota’s efforts to reduce the abuse of opioids has received a boost with new funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) received a $1.6 million, five-year grant from the federal government through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The Minnesota Department of Health also received an HHS grant of about $900,000 over a three-year period as part of the CDC Prescription Drug Overdose: Data-Driven Prevention Initiative. More information is in a news release about the grant.


Increase in adult suicides shows need to connect Minnesotans to hope and help

State officials are releasing the most recent suicide data and highlighting opportunities for prevention, including raising awareness of suicide warning signs and the fact that mental illness is treatable. Minnesota's prevention efforts are based on evidence that suicides are preventable and mental illness is treatable. Key strategies are included in the 2015-2020 state suicide prevention plan, which calls for a comprehensive, public health approach of promoting health, wellness and connectedness in communities. More information is in a news story about the increase in adult suicides.


Event marks Falls Prevention Awareness Day

DHS and other organizations marked the first official day of fall with an event on how to prevent falls. “Ready, Steady, Balance: Prevent Falls in 2016,” sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, the Minnesota Board on Aging and other members of the Minnesota Falls Prevention Coalition, was held Sept. 22 at Rosedale Mall in Roseville. Held on Falls Prevention Awareness Day in Minnesota, the event included a sampling of fall prevention classes, including Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance, Stepping On, and A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls. There were also fall risk assessments, information tables and featured speakers. More information is in a news release about the falls prevention event.


19th annual celebration honors 2016 adoptive families

Minnesota’s newest adoptive families, as well as those interested in adoption, will celebrate together Sunday, Nov. 6, during the 19th annual Celebrate Adoption: A Circus of the Heart, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Envision (formerly the Prom Center Event Facility) in Oakdale. Recognizing children who have been adopted from the foster care system in the past year, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and its partners celebrate and encourage families to consider making a lifelong impact on children through adoption. Celebrate Adoption is open to the public to gather information from state, county, nonprofit and private agency adoption experts. Families will enjoy face painting, pony rides, music, games, crafts and prize drawings. The Minnesota Department of Human Services, MN ADOPT, counties and adoption agencies are sponsoring this year’s celebration. 


Regional councils form to improve services for people with disabilities

In July, DHS, with advice from the State Quality Assurance Council, issued three separate grants totaling $507,114 to form regional quality councils to improve the quality of services provided to people with disabilities. Regional quality councils are being formed in Hennepin, Scott and Dakota counties; St. Louis, Carlton, Lake and Cook counties; and Olmsted, Houston and Wabasha counties. These regional quality councils will develop and implement a quality monitoring system that includes person-centered quality reviews to measure and report on services for people with disabilities in their regions, analyze information and coordinate a regional response to access barriers and service gaps, set priorities to improve home- and community-based long-term service and supports for people with disabilities based on regional strengths and needs and report regional findings to the State Assurance Quality Council, which will share the information with DHS and make recommendations for system improvements. Contact Dan Zimmer, director, State Quality Assurance Council, for more information at 507-271-8606.


DHS leaders bring child support expertise to committees

Child Support Division Director Jeff Jorgenson and Deputy Director Shaneen Moore support Minnesota’s children through their work in the department and on committees, both locally and nationally. Jorgenson and Moore were recently appointed to the National Council of Child Support Directors Committee, working to ensure states understand new requirements and easily share information across state lines. Jorgenson serves as the committee’s Region V representative, speaking for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Indiana. Moore was recently appointed to the Minnesota State Council on Disability, engaging members across the state to advise the governor, Legislature and providers on the needs of Minnesotans with disabilities. More information on Jorgenson and Moore’s work can be found on the department’s website.


In case you missed it

Links to some news articles about DHS during September:


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