 DHS is committed to authentically engaging with the people we serve, and we’re excited to announce a new way for Minnesotans to help shape our services and programs – Community Empowerment Sessions.
Join us for our first Community Empowerment Session on "The Legislative Budget and How it Impacts Your Community," held virtually via Webex from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1.
Community Empowerment Sessions are designed to uplift community voices and facilitate the process of co-creating solutions in partnership with people we serve. By encouraging community members to share their experiences, we empower them to identify barriers and opportunities to better inform DHS policies and programs.
In this session, you will hear an overview of the new legislative budget and how it impacts you and your community, including economic supports like cash programs, health care programs, child care provider support, behavioral health treatment programs (like culturally informed substance use disorder treatment), and home and community-based services. Then, participate in activities grounded in building authentic relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and acknowledgement of each person’s and community’s added value to developing solutions.
American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) will be provided.
More information and the Webex info is on our website.
Minnesotans across the state will experience lower costs and increased access to child care thanks to a $160 million investment in the Child Care Assistance Program that Governor Tim Walz signed into law this summer.
Utilizing this investment, DHS recently increased the maximum reimbursement rates paid to child care providers that serve income-qualifying families in the Child Care Assistance Program. The increased reimbursement rates will expand access to affordable, quality child care; support providers; and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families.
“This investment supports Minnesota’s economy in critical ways,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “Child care providers will see more of their real costs covered, while parents will have an easier time accessing reliable child care so they can work or go to school.”
More details are in a Governor's Office news release.
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New contracts for public health care programs serving families and children in the Twin Cities metro area will help Minnesota make progress on eliminating disparities and increasing equitable health outcomes.
DHS recently finalized $3.87 billion in managed care contracts to serve approximately 600,000 children, parents and pregnant people in the seven-county metro area in 2022. The contracts with health plans cover MinnesotaCare and a large share of Medical Assistance through the Prepaid Medical Assistance Program.
DHS finalized contracts with Blue Plus, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Medica, UCare and United Healthcare.
The latest contracting process prioritized efforts to address equity and eliminate health disparities, with health plans required to respond to relevant questions, such as:
- How has your organization approached disparities in well-child visits?
- How do your network providers advance equity and reduce health disparities? What percentage of your network is included in the initiatives described?
“Together with our county partners, we’re embedding equity into our work and adding accountability measures in the contracts to evaluate health outcomes,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “We are uniquely positioned through these contracts to make changes that ensure Minnesota is a place where everyone can be healthy.”
More details are in a department news release.
Posted Nov. 9 on our Facebook page: Pediatricians — including our own Dr. Nathan Chomilo, who serves as Minnesota's Medicaid medical director — share why getting the COVID-19 vaccination is so important for children and teens who are eligible.
Check out the YouTube video prepared by the Minnesota Department of Health.
If you have questions or concerns, talk to your child's health care provider. They are there to help you.
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