News from DHS for September 2019

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NEWS FROM DHS

September 2019

News from DHS archive

In this issue:


Governor appoints Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services


Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has announced the appointment of 11 Minnesotans to serve on the newly created Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services. Established by the 2019 Minnesota State Legislature, the group will help state leaders craft a vision for long-term systemic reforms and identify near-term strategies to improve health outcomes, increase access, reduce inequities and disparities, find administrative efficiencies, expand program integrity and steward taxpayer dollars. Its first meeting was Sept. 26. For more information, see the news release from the Governor’s Office and visit the Blue Ribbon Commission website.


Family Child Care Task Force holds first meeting

The first meeting of the newly created Family Child Care Task Force took place Sept. 19. The 2019 Minnesota Legislature established the Family Child Care Task Force to make recommendations related to family child care licensing and Parent Aware, a resource that helps families find child care providers and helps child care providers improve the quality of their programs and services. Read more in the department’s news release.


Appointments to Opioid Advisory Council announced

Nineteen individuals selected for their personal and professional experience with opioid addiction and its consequences will help guide Minnesota’s efforts to combat a drug and overdose epidemic that has spread to every region of the state. Read more in the department’s news release.


In the news

Links to some news articles about DHS during August:


In social media

group of people seated in circle learning sign language

Did you know? American Sign Language (ASL) is a full language, distinct from English. And just like spoken languages around the world, many countries have their own sign languages and regions have their own dialects.

If you've ever been curious about ASL, the DHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division's website offers recommendations on ways to learn about it online, in-person or by app: https://mn.gov/deaf-hard-of-…/learning-center/asl-resources/
#IDSL2019 #IWDeaf2019

To see more posts like this and for timely updates on DHS news and events, follow DHS on Twitter and Facebook.


DHS in the community

five adults standing and posing in front of a wall with the words "CentraCare Health - Long Prairie" on it

Promoting health and wellness. Continuing Care for Older Adults Assistant Commissioner Dan Pollock recently visited CentraCare - Long Prairie to see how DHS Live Well at Home grant funds are being used at CentraCare - Vitality Wellness. He heard about the positive impact the innovative, wellness-focused project is making in the region. With help from a $662,000 DHS grant award, the new 12,000-square-foot  Regional Community Well-Being Center opened in spring 2019 and is providing programs, services and amenities designed to promote healthy lifestyles, enhance quality of life and support wellbeing


Three women talking in a hallway

Helping sex-trafficked youth heal. Beth Holger (left), Chief Executive Officer of the Link’s Passageways Emergency Shelter and Housing Program, was full of energy and optimism when Children and Family Services Assistant Commissioner Nikki Farago (center) and Office of Economic Opportunity Director Francie Mathes (right) recently visited. 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.


Fact sheets

The following fact sheets about DHS programs were updated in September:


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.