News from DHS for August 2020

Minnesota Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 08/31/2020 09:11 AM CDT
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NEWS FROM DHS

August 2020

News from DHS archive

In this issue:

Deadline for public assistance renewals approaching

woman opening cupboard doors and seeing very little food on her shelves

More than 20,000 Minnesotans who receive food or cash assistance must renew their eligibility by the end of August to ensure they continue receiving benefits in September. Some Minnesotans who receive food or cash benefits received letters in the mail in late July and early August notifying them to renew (or “recertify”) their eligibility for assistance.

Read more in the department's news release.

Minnesota marks 30 years of federal aid for HIV care

red ribbon

Thousands of Minnesotans living with HIV receive federally funded health care, medication and services such as dental and mental health care, thanks to a landmark law signed 30 years ago. The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act serves as the cornerstone of HIV care in the United States, helping hundreds of thousands of Americans living with the human immunodeficiency virus since 1990. The anniversary of the law’s signing was Aug. 18.

Read more in the department's news release.

Fact sheets

The following fact sheets were updated in August:

In social media

Child Support Month proclamation

Posted Aug. 26 on the DHS Facebook page: Minnesota’s collection of monthly child support continues to rank in the top three nationally. Governor Tim Walz proclaimed August as Child Support Awareness Month in Minnesota, celebrating the work of child support staff at DHS, counties and tribes across the state, and thanking parents who participate in the program.

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

Get email updates

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.

To stay abreast of the State's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on people whom DHS serves and supports, sign up for email updates.
newspaper beside a coffee cup

In the news

Links to some news articles about DHS during August:

  • Hungry Minnesotans can get help. Everyone needs help sometimes. That is especially true for Minnesotans who have lost their jobs or have been hit hard by COVID-19, especially those in Black, Asian, Latino, Native American and immigrant communities. Learn about DHS’s commitment to make sure no Minnesotans are hungry in this op-ed by Commissioner Jodi Harpstead that was published Aug. 20 in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

  • Ways to help the deaf community amid the pandemic. With social distancing measures and mask mandates in place, the deaf community is working through new challenges to communicate. Learn more about the obstacles and how you can help in this interview with Daniel Millikin, director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division at DHS. The interview aired during the Morning Buzz segment on FOX9 on Wednesday, Aug. 5.

  • Northland health care nonprofit targets vulnerable populations to ease COVID-19 impact. Using data provided through DHS’ Integrated Health Partnerships, Wilderness Health is contacting people on Medicaid who are potentially vulnerable to complications if they become sick with COVID-19. Its leaders hope to keep this population healthy through targeted resources and support. Learn more in a Duluth News Tribune article published Aug. 26, which includes an interview with Dr. Nathan Chomilo, the state's Medicaid medical director.