October 2019

News from DHS archive

Event celebrates children adopted from foster care

At an event in their honor on Sunday, Nov. 3, families who adopted children from foster care will get to enjoy a day at the zoo that includes music, mascots, games, prizes, face and nail painting, henna art and family photos. The event aims to celebrate the adoptions of 1,268 foster children in 2018 while calling attention to the 905 children waiting for permanent families. “Celebrate Adoption: Circus of the Heart”  will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Minnesota Zoo, 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley. Read more in the department’s news release.

Minnesotans can help shape Assisted Living Report Card

Minnesotans can participate in the development of a state-sponsored Assisted Living Report Card this fall. A public survey is underway, and a statewide livestream event is set for Nov. 4. Read more in the department’s news release.

It’s time for MinnesotaCare members to renew their health care coverage

Minnesotans who rely on MinnesotaCare for affordable health care coverage should complete their annual renewal form by Dec. 15 to ensure coverage into the New Year. Read more in the department’s news release.

Medicare open enrollment brings change

Medicare open enrollment began Tuesday, Oct. 15, and runs through Saturday, Dec. 7. The Minnesota Board on Aging’s Senior LinkAge Line can help Minnesotans on Medicare navigate changes and ensure they have a plan Jan. 1 that meets their needs. Read more in the department’s news release.

Ombudsman recognizes volunteers who advocate for older adults

The Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long Term Care  recognized Minnesotans who volunteer to advocate for the rights of residents in long-term care facilities as part of Resident Rights Month in October. Read more in the department’s news release.

In the news

Links to some news articles about DHS during October:

• Crisis Center project to answer mental health needs
• DHS: New Disability Waiver Rate System
• Opioid advisory group set
• Families with autism have new partners
• Grant will fund adult day program scholarships
• First Steps to Healthy Babies program extended

In social media

New data from the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey released today shows more Minnesota students than ever report having long-term mental health, behavioral or emotional problems. In particular, the number of eleventh-grade female students who report these issues has more than doubled from 2013 to 2019. Read the news release from the Minnesota Department of Education.

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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.

DHS in the community

Seeing SNAP-Ed's impact at the Grand Portage Reservation. SNAP-Ed educator Tess Bailey (left) shows Children and Family Services Acting Assistant Commissioner Lisa Bayley the raised garden beds at Oshki Ogimaag Community School that are maintained and cared for by the students with supporting education from SNAP-Ed.

Sharing knowledge with Utah. Minnesota was among the first states to adopt the Collaborative Safety model of reviewing critical incidents, using it to review children’s fatalities and near fatalities in the state’s child protection system. At the invitation of Casey Family Programs, members of the Child Safety and Permanency Division’s Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Team visited Utah this fall to share their knowledge on the Collaborative Safety model, as Utah is planning to implement it as part of its child protection system.

Fact sheets

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

• Adoption: Finding families for Minnesota’s waiting children (PDF)
• Adoption support contract: Working together to help families (PDF)
• Family First Prevention Services Act (PDF)
• Northstar Care for Children: Encouraging safe, permanent homes for children (PDF)
• Relative Permanency Services: Reducing time in foster care (PDF)
• Elderly Waiver program (PDF)
• Personal care assistance (PDF)
• Electronic Benefit Transfer (PDF)
• Housing Support (PDF)
• Minnesota Food Shelf Program (PDF)
• Minnesota Supplemental Aid (PDF)
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training program (PDF)