Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan announced Monday the appointment of Tikki Brown to serve as the first Commissioner of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families when it is established in July 2024.
“Tikki’s work exemplifies our mission of making Minnesota the best state for children. As we continue our work to improve the effectiveness of state services, Tikki brings decades of experience and knowledge that will help ensure state government works for all children and families, and that support is available for those who need it most,” said Governor Walz.
Brown has served as the assistant commissioner for Children and Family Services at DHS since 2021, as well as a variety of roles in the two decades prior.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed as Commissioner for an agency that has such a deep impact on the lives of so many Minnesotans,” said Brown. “As Commissioner, I look forward to bringing together a new leadership team and staff from multiple agencies, working with community partners and individuals impacted by our programs, to envision an improved future for our children, youth, and families.”
DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead said: “She brings a caring and collaborative approach to her work and has been a leader on many issues for children and families, including food security and family preservation.”
Learn more in a Governor's Office news release.
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When Minnesota’s post-pandemic public health care program renewals wrap up this spring, the state will restart a longstanding practice of checking some enrollees’ assets to make sure they are eligible for coverage.
Asset limits ensure that public health care programs pay for care only when no other resources are available.
Many Medical Assistance enrollees do not have asset limits. The state will notify those who do.
For certain Medical Assistance and Medicare Savings Programs enrollees, assets will be reviewed when their annual renewal is due. If enrollees have more assets than the program limits, they will need to reduce or spend down their assets to keep their health care coverage.
A person’s home, vehicle and personal items do not count as assets during the renewal process. Assets that do count include checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds, trusts, mutual funds, real property and other financial investments.
“Our public health care programs serve Minnesotans who most need our support to access health care,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “We want to get the word out about asset limits now to give enrollees time to act to keep their health insurance.”
Asset limits differ depending on program and family size. Medical Assistance and Medicare Savings Programs enrollees who have an asset limit will receive a notice in the mail about two months before their renewal month reminding them that assets will be counted for their upcoming renewal.
Enrollees can look up their renewal month at www.mnrenewallookup.com.
More details are in a department news release.
 The first webinar in the 2024 Age & Disabilities Odyssey series is set for Thursday, May 30. Join us for "From either/or to both/and: When Disability and Aging Intersect."
In this thoughtful and practical panel discussion, community members, advocates and activists who live at the intersection of disability and aging will share their insights and experiences.
The panelists will recommend practical ways to build knowledge and skills to serve the many people who live at the intersection of disability and aging.
Learn more and register by 7 p.m. May 23.
Age & Disabilities Odyssey events are hosted by DHS and the Minnesota Board on Aging.
 The artistic talents of patients in our Forensic Mental Health Program are on display through May 25 at the Arts Center of Saint Peter.
The exhibition “Changing Minds IV” features more than 150 original works of visual and literary art created over the past two years by artists working independently and those who participated in year-round art and writing classes.
“The exhibition is a rare opportunity for our patients to showcase their talents and for the public to look beyond stereotypes of mental illness and see our patients as the unique, insightful, creative individuals they are,” says Dr. Soniya Hirachan, executive and medical director of Forensic Services.
Learn more about it in a KEYC News Now story: https://www.keyc.com/2024/04/06/arts-center-st-peters-fourth-changing-minds-exhibit/
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>> Follow our DHS Careers Facebook page for announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more.
For accessible formats of this publication, write to dhs.communications@state.mn.us, or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.
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