July 2024

News from DHS archive

State moves quickly to fill HIV service provider gap

The Aliveness Project will expand its service delivery as an HIV supports provider after reaching an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The agreement comes less than two weeks after the unexpected closure of Rainbow Health, which had been a leading HIV supports provider in Minnesota. The loss of Rainbow Health left thousands of Minnesotans living with HIV without access to emergency assistance like rent checks, utility support, food access and insurance navigation.

“HIV support services are so important to the people who rely on them,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “We’re grateful the Aliveness Project is willing and able to take on this critical work. We’re also thankful to our partners who worked with us to meet client needs while finding this solution.”

Under the new agreement, the former Rainbow Health contract responsibilities will be transferred to the Aliveness Project, effective immediately, while working with partners to coordinate the details of the transition. Keeping people in stable housing and limiting any interruption of other basic life needs continues to be the priority of the state response.

As Aliveness works to re-establish services, questions about immediate needs can continue to be directed to the Ryan White Programs Customer Care Line at DHS: 651-431-2398.

July 31 is deadline for input on draft child care licensing standards

Our online survey to provide public feedback on new draft licensing standards for family child care and child care centers will close Wednesday, July 31. The original survey deadline was extended to ensure providers, parents, licensors and the public who want to weigh in have an opportunity to do so. Information about the draft standards is on the project webpage and in a department news release. The current documents are drafts, and feedback is a crucial step in the process.

Registration open for webinar on disability justice principles

Register today for the second 2024 Odyssey webinar, “The Principles of Disability Justice,” which takes place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16.

This webinar builds on the disability rights movement to take a more comprehensive approach to help secure rights for people with disabilities. Disability justice recognizes the intersectionality of people with disabilities who belong to additional marginalized communities. Presenters will explain how people can incorporate the 10 principles of disability justice in their work.

Registration is open until 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9.

Forum set for Aug. 9 on Housing Stabilization Services

The Minnesota Department of Human Services and Minnesota Housing are working together to improve the experience of people receiving Housing Stabilization Services, a service that helps Medical Assistance enrollees find and keep housing. We are partnering with non-partisan public policy consulting firms to host an online meeting for people who have received this benefit to share their thoughts about what works well and what can be improved.  Registration is open for the session set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9.

In social media: Community First Services and Supports

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Accessible formats

For accessible formats of this publication, write to dhs.communications@state.mn.us, or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.

Behavioral health care system seeks board members

Applications are open for people interested in serving on the executive board of Minnesota’s state-operated behavioral health care system.

New fact sheets

The Minnesota Legislature and Governor Tim Walz made careful investments in 2024 to address the most immediate needs in human services. The following fact sheets summarize session outcomes.

Human services budget: Focusing on immediate priorities (PDF)

Expanding behavioral health care capacity, improving access (PDF)

Addressing substance use disorder and other health needs for Minnesotans leaving prisons and jails (PDF)

In the news

How to shop for a health insurance plan in Minnesota: Insurance options can vary considerably depending on age, income, geography, employment status and the market. So don't be afraid to seek help when confronting this complicated decision. Learn more in a Star Tribune article.

Almanac: New Department of Children, Youth and Families to be established July 1: TPT's Eric Eskola and Cathy Wurzer recently spoke with Tikki Brown, the commissioner of Minnesota's new Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Learn about the opportunities she sees ahead with the new agency in this Almanac video clip.

‘The first step’: Advocates celebrate Minnesota’s groundbreaking child welfare law: The Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionately Act will take effect in Ramsey and Hennepin counties in January and expand statewide two years later. The sweeping new law is novel in the nation, and modeled after the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act. Learn more in an Imprint/Sahan Journal article.

Personal histories, items can be claimed by adult adoptees from Minnesota’s DHS files: On July 1, original state birth records became available to adoptees for the first time. The change in state law has brought renewed attention to personal effects kept in adoption files. DHS welcomes input from the adoption community in re-thinking how the agency can help adoptees request their belongings. Learn more in an MPR article.