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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's hard to believe that summer is already wrapping up and we are over a week into September— that being said, there's plenty of beautiful weather ahead and some of the structure and routine that return with the seasonal change provide their own joys.
The end of summer also means the beginning of the budget cycle (from a county board perspective, as staff have been working on the budget for months). I work on a daily basis with our superb county administrator David Hough, who this Tuesday will start the process of presenting his proposed budget. My next newsletter will update you on the timeline and process ahead.
Highlights of this newsletter --
- In recent weeks the county has made significant new investments in mental health and housing for our region.
- ICE detainers at the county jail practically come to an end.
- Hennepin County is helping Afghan evacuees who will be settling in our region. More detail on that below, including ways to participate.
- WCCO recently hosted a panel in observance of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, including the recollections of one Hennepin County leader.
It has been another high-impact year at Hennepin County, and I continue to advance investments that keep the wellbeing and security of county residents in mind, in ways that build a more equitable community in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Please reach out to me and my staff for any reason.
My best,
The Hennepin County board approved $46 million in federal funds for affordable housing and an additional $25 million for homelessness prevention strategies. Some highlights include:
- Gap funding to immediately increase affordable housing availability to those disproportionately affected by COVID-19
- Investments to rehab and preserve existing Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) properties
- Acquisition of properties supporting affordable housing along the housing continuum, with a focus on single adults impacted by COVID-19
- Homeownership programs targeting those disproportionately effected by COVID-19
- Investments to support the ongoing 24/7 operation of existing shelters and the ongoing operations of shelters that opened in 2020
- The elimination of self-pay requirements at shelters and support for shelter diversion programs
- Additional funding for outreach services at encampments
I want to reiterate my particular thanks to advocates from Street Voices of Change, who have shared their experiences with homelessness and who have pushed for many of the initiatives in this action.
This is a sizeable investment, but I know that the community need is even greater. I am committed more now than ever to continue our work towards ensuring that everyone in Hennepin County has a home that they can call their own.
Read Star Tribune coverage here.
Amazing news! After so many years spent advocating for the safety and well-being of immigrants in our community, I'm glad to see the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office taking this step.
A huge thank you to ISAIAH, Jewish Community Action, and the other community organizations who have advocated tirelessly for changes such as this one.
Everyone in Hennepin County deserves the ability to seek help without fear, regardless of immigration status.
Read Star Tribune coverage here.
The county board allocated funding for two immensely important initiatives that will benefit residents across Hennepin County.
The first is $20M towards funding for various behavioral health services.
This funding will be used for increased access to support for youth and families, reformed mental health crisis response with an eye for reducing justice system involvement, and increased culturally specific services. I’m particularly pleased that we are funding 24-7 support at our 1800 Chicago mental health service center, which will help people in mental health crisis.
Read more about the focus areas here.
The second is $10M to improve maternal health.
This will expand existing programs focused on maternal health outcomes, develop and implement a birth justice plan, invest in culturally congruent and community based solutions to reduce disparities in maternal health, and increase capacity for data collection.
Read more about the focus areas here.
I would like to thank my colleagues, county administration, and staff for the meticulous level of thought that has gone into selecting these specific areas of focus. A special thanks to Commissioner Fernando for her work on alternate 911 responses to mental health, and Commissioner Conley for her tireless advocacy on behalf of Black mothers who continue to experience extreme disparities in maternal health outcomes and public health services in general.
More than 100,000 evacuees from Afghanistan are arriving in the U.S. and Hennepin County is aligning with Minnesota's statewide response to prepare for those who will settle here. Arriving families will be assisted by the state, counties, resettlement agencies and a variety of partners to prepare for life in Minnesota.
You can help: Evacuees will be coming with few belongings. Hennepin County Volunteer Services, in partnership with the agencies listed above, has set up this Amazon wish list, where anyone can purchase and contribute items ranging from diapers to Uber gift cards. The items you purchase will be delivered to a central location and agencies will distribute them to families as needed. Receipt acknowledgements can be provided for tax deductions.
Questions? Contact Kimberly.LaRosa@hennepin.us or Shira.Rabinowicz@hennepin.us for more information or help using the wish list.
Volunteer and donation opportunities are also available at this State of Minnesota site.
 WCCO TV recently brought together a group to discuss/revisit the anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Hennepin County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Andrew Baker was one of the participants. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) Commissioned Officer Training program, Dr. Baker began active duty in the medical corps of the USAF in 1998.
Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Dr. Baker’s unit was given responsibility for the identification and autopsy of the victims and perpetrators of the American Airlines flight 77 crash into the Pentagon.
Shayla Reaves, WCCO’s Noon Anchor and AM Contributor, did a wonderful job moderating the discussion. The conversation took place at the Lake Harriet Band Shell.
Read, watch or listen to more here.
For every election, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services hires 350-400 high school students to work as election judges. These teens work as part of a team to run a polling place: setting up the equipment, greeting voters, helping with voter registration, explaining how to fill out a ballot, using second language skills, and more. For the past 30 years, the city has relied on high school students to help make voting both accessible and secure.
Minneapolis is currently hiring high school students to work in Minneapolis’s 133 polling places for the municipal election on Nov. 2. Pay is $17.15 an hour. Students who are interested in working must fill out the student application, and have a parent or guardian complete the online parent/guardian permission form.
Student election judges must be a:
- U.S. citizen
- High school student age 16 or older
- Resident of Hennepin, Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, or Wright County
More information is available on our website, or contact: Caryn.Scheel@minneapolismn.gov
Looking forward to The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF)'s "What's Out There Weekend: Twin Cities" Sept 18 - 19, which features free tours of our parks, gardens, landscapes, and open spaces.
Mark your calendars, and learn more here.
Contact us
Marion Greene
Commissioner, 3rd District
612-348-7883
Elie Farhat
Principal Aide
612-348-7125
Laura Hoffman
District Aide
612-348-0863
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