 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the long and important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the Unites States. Sept. 15 of every year is the starting point for the celebration since it is the independence day of five Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
At the Minnesota Department of Human Services, we try our best to provide employees with positive support and help ensure that all Minnesotans meet their basic needs and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
As of Sept. 13, Lisa Bayley is serving as acting assistant commissioner for the Children and Family Services Administration in place of Nikki Farago, who is on parental leave.
Bayley joined DHS in March as deputy assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services. She has a legal background handling child protection cases. For the past decade, Bayley had managed her own legal practice, Bayley Law, LLC, in Red Wing, Minn. Prior to that, she was a prosecutor for the Attorney’s Office of Hennepin County and Wabasha County, handling criminal cases, civil commitments and child protection cases, as well as guardianship and conservatorship matters.
Active in her community, Bayley also served on the Red Wing City Council for more than eight years, including two years as council president, and has volunteered for numerous state and local nonprofit organizations, including the Children’s Law Center and Hope Coalition of Red Wing.
“Many of you already know that Lisa brings great enthusiasm and passion to her work,” Farago wrote in an email to staff. “In the short time she has been here, she has learned a great deal about our work, our clients, and the staff and partners who help us serve children and families. I’m confident she, with the help of our strong Children and Family Services Leadership Team, will lead you well.”
Farago plans to return as assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services in March 2020.
Despite the harsh reality of serving youth who have been sex trafficked, The Link’s Passageways Emergency Shelter and Housing Program was full of energy and optimism when Children and Family Services Assistant Commissioner Nikki Farago and Office of Economic Opportunity Director Francie Mathes recently visited.
Emblazoned on the wall in a vibrant floor-to-ceiling mural is the word “Empowerment.” Other inspirational messages – “Do good recklessly,” “Blessed are the curious for they shall have adventures,” “She needed a hero so that’s what she became” – many created by youth, adorn the walls and doors.
The aroma of fried sweet corn and peppers permeates the air. A foosball table, punching bag, massage chairs, ping pong table, air hockey table, weighted blankets, arts and crafts, video game console and big screen TV all await those who want to partake. Laughter and chatter emanate from the hallways. Youth and staff interact freely, sharing stories, exchanging ideas, talking about dreams of the future.
Funded, in part, by DHS, Passageways offers emergency shelter for youth ages 13 to 24 who have been sexually trafficked. The program also serves young parents with one child. The nonprofit provides case management, mental health therapy, educational programming, life skills training, a survivor mentor program, health care services and positive youth development activities. In 2018, Passageways received 1,600 crisis calls about sex trafficking and served 127 youth.
The Link is made up of three programs: Safe Harbor, which serves sexually exploited youth through Passageways; Juvenile Justice, which serves youth at risk of or involvement in the juvenile justice system; and Housing and Homeless Services, which serves youth and young families who are homeless.
They are there to heal, grow and trust again, according to Beth Holger, executive director of The Link. As they progress with onsite school, therapy and activities, they take on responsibilities, including doing their laundry and applying for jobs. “We’re here to help young people become more empowered and find their voice,” Holger said.
CeMarr Peterson, The Link’s Safe Harbor division director, added, “We want to show young people they can come from these situations (as victims of sex trafficking) and do really good work.”
Carver, Scott and Hennepin counties refer most of the youth in the program, but families also refer youth, and youth contact the nonprofit directly as well.
Staff are on hand around the clock to provide services and support. Passageways nursing staff are available up to four times per week, and a teacher, trained in working with youth who have experienced trauma, educates youth throughout the week. While staff prepare three meals and snacks each day, youth often join in the cooking. Staff also transport youth to numerous activities, including trips to the theater, YMCA and professional sporting events.
“We’re more than just services,” Peterson said. “We want them to have good times that they may have missed out on otherwise.”
 Success varies, depending on the individual, according to Holger. It can mean “staying out of the (sex trafficking) life, accomplishing goals, getting their GED, learning to become better parents,” she said.
“For some, it can be as simple as smiling or having a good day,” added Peterson.
Symmieona Williams, the program’s survivor leader, said when she first became involved with Passageways, one of the best aspects was knowing that people cared about her and helped her realize “you can change.” Describing her work at the nonprofit, she said, “This is my calling.”
Holger credited DHS with helping The Link be successful not only with funding but with staff investment in the nonprofit’s work. “We are grateful,” she said.
She also highlighted the work of the 12-member Youth Advisory Committee, which she relies on to help design Passageway’s programs, policies and procedures.
“We want to give them the opportunities,” Holger said. “We need to cultivate good leaders in our communities and our country.”
More than 500 state employees, including dozens from DHS, participated in the 2019 State Capitol Run@Work Day 5K race on Friday, Sept. 13. DHS communications officer Christopher Sprung emceed the pre-race ceremony, which was held at the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul and featured DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead along with Minnesota Supreme Court Judge G. Barry Anderson, Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge Diane Bratvold, Minnesota Department of Transportation Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Lemaile Ho and TPT’s “Almanac” host Mary Lahammer.
  Race results are at: https://www.frontrunnerusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/runatworkresults2019.txt
October is National Coming Out month and in celebration the DHS LGBTQ Employee Resource Group (ERG) is hosting two events. The first is a lobby tabling event on National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11, at the Andersen and Lafayette buildings, to celebrate and provide awareness on why coming out still matters. The second is a “Coming Out of the Closet Clothing Drive” from Oct. 14 to 25, 2019. The clothing drive is an opportunity for all DHS employees and their families, regardless if they are part of the LGBTQ community, to donate clothes. The LGBTQ ERG is partnering with YouthLink and JustUs Health, which serve homeless youth and individuals living with HIV/AIDS. We chose to partner with these organizations because 40% of homeless youth are LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS disproportionately impacts the LGBTQ community. Individuals can donate by placing items in bins identified in the DHS Today announcement. For questions please contact Rita Galindre via email: rita.galindre@state.mn.us
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 Health care hiring event
The Diversity Recruitment Team participated in the 2019 health care hiring event which was held by CareerForce on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in St. Paul. Healthcare is an industry with many opportunities, so our Diversity Recruitment Team was able to speak with prospective candidates regarding open job opportunities from entry-level through varying career paths at DHS.
 Macalester College job fair
The Macalester College Fall Job and Internship fair took place on Tuesday Sept. 24, in St. Paul. Our Diversity Recruitment Team joined the fair and showcased DHS’ job and internship opportunities to current students and alumni of the college. Attendees were eager to learn about DHS - many stopped by the DHS booth with questions and to drop off their resumes for a variety.
 University of Minnesota career fair
The College of Liberal Arts (CLA) Internship and Career Fair connected CLA students across all majors with for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations in many industry sectors on Friday, Sept. 27, at TCF Bank stadium in Minneapolis. Our Diversity Recruitment Team had opportunities to speak with students about DHS full-time, part-time and internship opportunities. More than 1,000 students attended this event, and they showed a passion for their job search.
Anne Raymond started at DHS in April 2006, in the Background Studies Unit at DHS. In 2007, she was involved in implementing the new Adam Walsh background studies for foster care. The knowledge she gained in these specialized background studies allowed her to transition into her current job as a foster care coordinator in the Licensing Division.
Raymond is the coordinator for the Foster Care Unit in the Licensing Division and said she is lucky to have her hands on just about everything that passes through the unit. She works with her team of licensors on issuing licensing actions for child and adult foster care applicants and license holders.
She tracks disqualifications and substantiated maltreatment by applicants and license holders and, when necessary, helps ensure that necessary action is taken to promote the health and safety of vulnerable adults and children in care. Raymond also coordinate the unit’s work with the Legal and the Background Studies divisions.
The first annual Tribal Legislative Summit, hosted by the DHS Office of Indian Policy, was held on Aug. 21 at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul. The inaugural event took place in response to Governor Tim Walz’s recent executive order to affirm the Government to Government relationship between the state of Minnesota and Minnesota tribal nations.
The annual summit will allow DHS to be proactive about engaging Minnesota tribal nations in the agency’s development of legislative and fiscal proposals each year and affirms the commitment of the tribal nations and DHS to work together on issues impacting American Indians.
Approximately 75 individuals attended, including five tribal chairs/presidents, directors from their respective tribal health and human services departments, Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, Acting DHS Commissioner Pam Wheelock, DHS Deputy Commissioner Chuck Johnson and DHS assistant commissioners, legislative staff and tribal liaisons.
 Assistant commissioners for both Community Supports and Health Care Administrations (St. Paul, MN) - job ID No. 35575
$49.37 – $70.68 /hourly; $103,085 – $147,580/ annually
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Health Care Administration: This position will manage and direct the operations of the Department of Human Services Health Care Administration (HCA) overseeing Medicaid payment and provider services, purchasing and service delivery, health care eligibility and access, federal relations, benefit recovery, ombudsman and eligibility appeals, the medical director and the behavioral health director so that public policy is developed, priorities are established and programs are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the State.
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Community Supports Administration: This position is responsible for managing and directing the operations of the Community Supports Administration overseeing behavioral health, disability services, housing, community and care integration reform, and the deaf and hard of hearing services so that public policy is developed, priorities are established, and programs are implemented in an integrated manner throughout the state.
Medicaid Director (St. Paul, MN) - job ID No. 35647
$49.37 – $70.68 /hourly; $103,085 – $147,580 /annually
The role of this position is to establish and build the political and professional relationships and national visibility needed to beneficially impact Minnesota's Medicaid policies and funding at the national level, represent Medicaid as an authority and give Medicaid/federal perspective to executive staff issues and decisions, highlight and give political insight and strategic guidance to executive staff, regarding health care-related politics and agendas at the national level, and ensure-that Medicaid and other federal policies are recognized in state policy and planning decisions.
Director of State Legislative Relations (St. Paul, MN) - job ID No. 35932
$41.40 - $59.27/hourly; $86,443 - $123,755/annually
The director of state legislative relations is charged with leading all DHS legislative initiatives and efforts. The director serves as the liaison between the department and the legislature, the Governor's Office, other governmental bodies and various stakeholder interests; develops and manages state and federal legislation; communicates the department position to lawmakers through briefings, budget recommendations, position statements and committee testimony; and provides counsel to the commissioner and senior staff in public affairs matters, taking the lead on legislative matters.
Licensed Practical Nurse (St. Peter, MN) - job ID No. 31999
$19.57 - $27.88/hourly; $40,862 - $58,213/annually
MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $2,500 HIRING INCENTIVE!!!
Forensics Services is looking for talented licensed practical nurses (LPN) to join our team on the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center campus which includes Minnesota Security Hospital, Transition Services, the Forensic Nursing Home and the Competency Restoration Program. The LPN provides entry-level practical nurse duties while providing quality therapeutic and person-centered care to people with mental and physical health issues. In addition to great job and benefits, we provide ongoing training and continuing education opportunities to keep us on the leading edge of advancements in behavioral health care. If interested, we want to hear from you!
Registered Nurse (St. Peter, MN) - job ID No. 31997
$28.76 - $42.59/hourly; $60,051 - $88,928/annually
MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $2,500 HIRING INCENTIVE!!!
Forensics Services is looking for talented registered nurses (RN) to join our team on the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center campus, which includes Minnesota Security Hospital, Transition Services, the Forensic Nursing Home and the Competency Restoration Program. The RN provides experienced, professional nursing care while assessing needs of clients, developing individualized plans, working with a multi-disciplinary team and delegates tasks to evaluate effectiveness of plans and care provided. In addition to great job and benefits, we provide ongoing training and continuing education opportunities to keep us on the leading edge of advancements in behavioral health care. If interested, we want to hear from you!
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