Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The County Board took actions this week to approve $25 million in critical emergency rental assistance and grant funds to provide shelter isolation services. We also approved the county's 2021 federal legislative platform.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 6th where I will be hosting my first monthly "Coffee with Chris". Grab a cup of coffee and join me for an informal virtual conversation anytime between 10:00am and 10:45am. Stay as long or as short as you'd like.
As always, please reach out to our office so that we may be of service or help.
Sincerely,
Chris
This week, the County Board of Commissioners approved:
Hennepin County launched Connecting Hennepin using CARES Act funds to address three critical areas of the digital divide: devices; connectivity and internet access; and supports, like digital literacy education.
County staff and community partners helped identify people in need of technology assistance and worked to connect them to the available services. Although more work remains, thousands of county residents were helped through this collaboration.
Over 2,700 Chromebooks were purchased to support youth in distance learning, supplementing what school could provide. Working with the new education support specialists as well as the Human Services Education Team, the County Attorney’s Office’s be@school, libraries, Adult Representation Services, probation and community youth-serving organizations, families were provided with Chromebooks. The goal was to provide one computer per student.
In the fall, the work expanded to address adult technology needs, focusing on job seekers. More than 5,850 Windows laptops were purchased.
Learn more, here.
The State of Minnesota has launched a new 'vaccine connector' tool. The COVID-19 Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get a COVID-19 vaccine. After filling out a simple form, the Vaccine Connector will:
- Alert you when you are eligible to receive a vaccine
- Connect you to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment
- Notify you if there are vaccine opportunities in your area.
If you have not yet been vaccinated, whether you are eligible for the vaccine now or not, the Vaccine Connector is a tool that will notify you when you are. Learn more, here.
By Emalyn Muzzy, Minnesota Daily
Hennepin County has used the building since March and purchased it in December. It has acted as a COVID-19 “medical respite,” which is a shelter for people experiencing homelessness who are too sick to live on the streets but not sick enough to be in the hospital.
Access the full story, here.
Join Commissioner LaTondresse for the first monthly "Coffee with Chris", a place where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and have an informal virtual conversation with the Commissioner.
Join us on Saturday, March 6th anytime between 10:00am-10:45am and stay as long or short as you'd like. We encourage you to come with questions, comments, or concerns.
To join the meeting simply click here on the day of to join the Microsoft Teams meeting.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Chris LaTondresse Commissioner 6th District 612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca District Director 612-348-6885
Kyle Olson Policy Director 612-348-3168
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