News from DHS for January 2021

Minnesota Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 01/29/2021 08:40 AM CST
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NEWS FROM DHS

JANUARY 2021

News from DHS archive

In this issue:

More funds coming for child care providers

two toddlers playing with plastic cubs at a little table

More than 8,250 eligible child care providers who received funding support in December 2020 to ensure the health and safety of children and staff in their programs will be able to receive additional funds for January and February 2021.

Read more in the department's Jan. 25 news release.

Home health care tools headed to American Indian elders

Blood pressure monitors, pulse oximeters and technology that supports telehealth and behavioral health visits are on their way to elders from Indigenous communities in Minnesota. The Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis and the Northwest Indian Community Development Center in Bemidji are distributing these infection prevention tools through a grant contract with the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

Read more in the department's Jan. 12 news release.

Increase in food benefits to help hungry Minnesotans

All Minnesotans on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and other food assistance programs who are currently receiving the maximum amount will soon see a 15% increase in their monthly food benefits.

Read more in the department's Jan. 11 news release.

In social media

Immigrant woman talking on cell phone

Posted Jan. 22 on the DHS Facebook page:

A new hotline is helping refugees and immigrants get information on COVID-19 testing locations and related health support. Callers can also get information on basic needs, distance learning support, employment, financial needs and the process towards citizenship. Help is available in any language at 651-318-0989, Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

DHS fact sheets

Fact sheets summarizing human services proposals for the 2021 legislative session will soon be available on the DHS website. The fact sheets highlight human services proposals in the FY 2022-23 Governor's Budget Recommendations released by Governor Tim Walz on Jan. 26.

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.
Nikki Farago

Farago named interim deputy commissioner, Bayley to fill in as Assistant Commissioner. 
Nikki Farago has accepted the position of interim deputy commissioner for Communications and Relations at DHS. She replaces Charlene Briner, who left the agency for personal and family reasons last month.

Farago comes to the position from her role as assistant commissioner of Children and Family Services.  She has served for eight years at DHS in various roles, including director for legislative and external affairs, and deputy assistant commissioner, both for CFS. 

Prior to DHS, she served as deputy solicitor general for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Her experience in county relations, tribal relations and legislative work, along with her extensive management experience, ideally suit her to take the interim deputy commissioner position at this time. More information about Farago can be found in her executive staff bio on the DHS website.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Lisa Bayley will serve as acting assistant commissioner for Children and Family Services. 
newspaper beside a coffee cup

In the news

Here are links to some news articles about DHS during January: