June 2019

News from DHS archive

Gov. Walz signs bill to protect vulnerable adults

At the 12th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference on June 5, Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill to protect vulnerable adults. DHS staff, partners and advocates worked hard on behalf of older Minnesotans and their families to make this bill possible. DHS Commissioner Tony Lourey (second from left, standing behind the Governor) was on hand to help celebrate the signing of the bill into law.

Opioid prescribing reports go to Medicaid and MinnesotaCare providers

More than 16,000 Minnesota health care providers serving Minnesotans on Medicaid and MinnesotaCare will receive reports in coming weeks comparing their opioid prescribing rates to those of their peers as part of a quality improvement effort led by the Department of Human Services in collaboration with the medical community. Read more in a news release.

Construction begins on new Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Hospital in Willmar

Construction is officially underway on a new psychiatric hospital in Willmar that will provide specialized treatment to children and teens from across Minnesota who have severe mental illness and behavior disorders. A ceremonial groundbreaking took place on June 7. Read more in a news release.

DHS honors nine refugees for enriching communities, state

Celebrating the strengths and achievements of refugees, the Minnesota Department of Human Services on June 11 honored nine people who came to the United States as refugees and have since made significant contributions to Minnesota. Read more in a news release.

Innovation grants promote employment, community engagement and independent living for people with disabilities

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to improve the lives of people with disabilities.  Read more in a news release.

Fact sheets updated in June

• Minnesota's refugee resettlement programs (PDF)
  (June 2019)
• 2019 fact sheets on human services legislation

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.

Celebrating Pride Month. On Sunday, June 23, Commissioner Tony Lourey, Assistant Commissioner Marie Zimmerman and other DHS staff marched the Twin Cities Pride 2019 Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade to show support for diversity and inclusion in the workplace and in the community.

In the news

Links to some news articles about DHS during June:

• MSH patients, staff perform at Gluekstock
• Governor Walz visits Rochester, talks mental health
• ‘A Whole New World’: Lyft, Dakota Co. Partner To Help People With Disabilities
• State honors 9 Minnesota refugees for their civic contributions
• Minnesota families in need celebrate long-awaited boost in state aid
• New mental health hospital for children breaks ground in Willmar
• 5 things to know about Minnesota's medical provider tax

In social media

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