 Joined by health care providers and state health experts, including DHS
Commissioner Emily Piper, Lt. Governor Tina Smith on Dec. 1 announced new guidelines designed to cut the risk
of opioid addiction. The new guidelines were developed by a work group made up
of health care providers and community partners, and will help doctors and
other health care providers decide when to prescribe these powerful pain
killers, how much to prescribe, and how to monitor their use. More information
is in a news
release from the Governor’s Office.
Child protection reports continue to increase in Minnesota, and parents’
substance abuse is the most common primary reason for children entering the
foster care system, according to information released on Dec. 20 by the
Minnesota Department of Human Services. In 2016, more than 39,700 children were
the subject of almost 31,000 accepted maltreatment reports. More
information is available in a news release.
DHS Commissioner Emily Piper led a town hall meeting in Willmar on Dec. 8
to discuss the MinnesotaCare Buy-In proposal, one in a series of meetings
throughout the state on the topic. The proposal would allow all Minnesotans who
purchase health coverage on the individual market to buy into MinnesotaCare – a
program that offers high-quality insurance at more affordable prices. Read more
about the buy-in proposal in a fact
sheet (PDF).
As people gather for the holidays, family and friends often get a fresh
look at how well older people in their lives are doing. Minnesota has several
resources to help families address issues that may be noticed. Read more about
these resources in a news release.
No one is forgotten during the holidays at the Minnesota Security Hospital
in St. Peter, thanks to two volunteer elves. For more than 20 years, mother and
daughter Lisa and Ashley Ebbenga have seen to it that every patient receives a
holiday gift. Learn more in a video
about their story.
Three more recipients of the Outstanding Refugee Awards were honored this
month. Yohannes Zemedhin, a community leader and business owner, and Blia Vang,
who provides foster care for vulnerable adults, received the 2017
Outstanding Refugee Award for Entrepreneurship Leadership. Ayan Omar, an educator
and community leader, received the 2017 Outstanding Refugee Award for Civic
Leadership. The awards celebrate the courage, resilience and entrepreneurship
of refugees and their children, and recognize their contributions to the state.
Read more in a
news release.
For accessible formats of this publication or assistance
with additional equal access to human services, write to dhs.communications@state.mn.us,
call 651-431-2911, or use your preferred relay service.
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