|
Based on the recommendations of an independent work group convened by AARP Minnesota and a recent report from the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA), Governor Mark Dayton was joined by legislators and advocates on March 13 to announce a broad set of reforms and investments to hold providers guilty of abuse accountable and protect the health, safety, and dignity of seniors and vulnerable adults. More details can be found in a news release from the Governor’s Office.
Governor Mark Dayton on March 7 announced his proposed Safe and Secure
Schools Act, which would provide $15.9 million in needed revenue to enhance
safety for students, teachers, parents, and staff at schools throughout
Minnesota. Governor Dayton’s proposal would dedicate this revenue for school
safety improvements and to provide needed support to students who may be a
danger to themselves or others. The proposal also includes an additional $5
million for school-based grants that would provide mental health services to
student who need added support. Read more in a news release
from the Governor’s Office.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services released a new tool to help
improve communications between people who are deaf and law enforcement. The new
two-way communication card provides guidance to officers and can help
facilitate the interaction. The card was designed with significant input
from Minnesotans who are deaf and hard of hearing, who identified symbols that
would be most helpful to them in communicating. More information and a link to
the card is available in a news release.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services is encouraging Minnesotans to
make use of its resources on problem gambling as they “Have the Conversation”
this month. Now in its 14th year, National Problem Gambling Awareness Month is
designed to help raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery
services available for those adversely affected by gambling. Its 2018 theme,
“Have the Conversation,” attempts to bring this often hidden addiction to
light. Get more information and find resources in a news release.
Minnesota’s State
Refugee Coordinator Rachele King is now secretary to the executive board of a
national refugee resettlement organization. The State Coordinators of Refugee
Resettlement’s board leads the network of state coordinators and advises the
United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee
Resettlement. Members recently elected King as secretary. Read more in a news release.
Recent
investments in energy efficiency are already paying big dividends on the
Minnesota Security Hospital campus in St. Peter. State government is saving
$161,500 thanks to a one-time rebate from the city’s public utility for
installing high-efficiency equipment in new buildings and replacing inefficient
lighting in existing facilities on the St. Peter campus. More information is
available in a news
release.
Bringing a wealth of experience from corporate, government and nonprofit
organizations, Shaneen Moore is now leading the state’s child support program. As
newly named director of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Child
Support Division, Moore and her staff work with the state’s 87 counties to
provide services for 346,000 custodial and noncustodial parents and their
240,000 children. Moore oversees child support legislative matters, supervises
daily operations and coordinates long-term planning. Read more in a news release.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recently released the first-ever
Medicaid annual report, Medicaid Matters: The Impact of Minnesota's Medicaid
Program. The report was created to increase awareness of the program and its impact
on every Minnesotan. The report (PDF)
is available on the DHS website.
A series of public meetings hosted by the Minnesota Department of Human
Services about services available through Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
for children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and related
conditions continued this month. The meeting, specifically for parents, was March
23 at the Maplewood Public Library. Read more about the meetings 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.
|
