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Topics and Issues for Providers Serving People Experiencing Homelessness
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December 7, 2021
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Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) announced a projected $7.7 billion surplus in the state general fund budget for fiscal year (FY) 2022-23. MMB reports that strong growth in income, consumer spending and corporate profits drove extraordinary revenue growth, and higher tax receipts are expected to continue with the improvement in economic outlook. The Governor and legislature will determine how to allocate these funds in the upcoming legislative session along with the $1.15 billion of Federal Fiscal Recovery Funds they set aside last legislative session. There will be important decisions ahead on how to allocate and invest this historic surplus and we want to hear from all of you about your priorities for the most impactful way to invest those funds.
We are specifically seeking your thoughts about how to prioritize among the many potential uses of these resources to support people experiencing homelessness and the highest purposes you see for potential future investments.
We hope you can join the discussion on the weekly provider webinar tomorrow from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Please email Elizabeth Dressel if you have any questions about your registration.
The introduction of the Omicron variant and the continued high transmission of the COVID-19 Delta variant reinforces the need to improve education and access to the vaccines. The vaccines remain the most effective tool for reducing the risk of hospitalization and death. All FDA-approved or authorized vaccines are expected to continue to be effective against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths with the Omicron variant.
MDH will be hosting a COVID-19 vaccine educational session open to all homeless programs on Thursday, December 9 from 12:00 1:30 p.m. The training will provide information on how the vaccines work, how we know they are safe and effective, and motivational interviewing techniques for addressing people’s concerns about vaccinations. You do not need to register to attend. Follow this Zoom link to the join the training on Thursday.
Minnesota Housing is developing a new program that will help people whose housing might be at risk. We are especially hoping to hear from individuals who have experienced a housing crisis at some point. Please help share this opportunity to provide input with your clients. The survey allows people to share their opinions on which of these services you think would be most helpful in avoiding eviction, preventing homelessness, or getting back into housing during the pandemic.
The survey is just three questions and should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. Responses will be accepted through 11:30 a.m. (CT) on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
In case you missed it, last week Minnesota Housing shared a survey for feedback from providers to gather input on which services you think would be most helpful in avoiding eviction, preventing homelessness, or getting back into housing during the pandemic. Responses to the provider survey will be accepted through 4:30 p.m. (CT) on Friday, December 10, 2021.
Thank you for the great discussion on last week’s webinar on the peer-to-peer conversations. You can find a summary of the responses here. Based on feedback, we are going to push the next conversation out to January. The next conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and the discussion topic is supporting and motivating staff. Monthly peer-to-peer conversations will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in 2022 and the group will determine a discussion topic each month.
You can join the Microsoft Teams meeting on your computer or mobile device, or for audio only call, 651-395-7448 and enter conference ID 979281139. You do not need to register. If you have any technical questions or trouble joining the meeting, please email Elizabeth Dressel.
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Applications are being accepted for two open vacancies on the Task Force on Shelter through the Secretary of State’s open appointments site. Apply online for the open seats for a public member who experienced homelessness and resided in a shelter and a city representative from greater Minnesota. You can find out more about the Task Force’s work to date here.
- U.S. Surgeon General’s Covid-19 Community Corps is a federal initiative to increase vaccine confidence by providing public education resources on the COVID-19 vaccines. If you are looking for additional resources, you can join the initiative to receive newsletters with updated information and outreach tools.
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