Join us tomorrow, Wednesday, January 18, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm for a special webinar that will provide an introduction and overview of the state legislative process. The webinar will provide an overview on navigating the legislature website, tracking bills, and finding hearing information. The webinar will not cover information on advocating for bills and testifying at hearings. There will be time to ask any questions you might have on the process.  

The webinars are open to anyone. If you have already registered for the monthly webinars, you will use the same link to join this special webinar. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us. 

The webinars typically take place on the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and the monthly webinars continue on February 1. If you cannot attend the webinar, all materials and recordings are shared here: https://mich.mn.gov/webinars.

On tomorrow’s webinar, the Minnesota Department of Health (MHD) COVID-19 congregate settings team will provide a short update and lead a discussion on how they can continue to support your setting in the response to COVID-19. Ahead of the webinar tomorrow, please consider the following discussion question:  

• Given where we are in the pandemic and that many of you have experience responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in your facility, what type of guidance do you still need/want from MDH? 

If you are looking for any resources and guidance documents, you can find information at https://mich.mn.gov/covid-19 or email Health.R-Congregate@state.mn.us.  

Cases among people experiencing homelessness and the staff who support continues to remain steady this week. The MDH team continues to monitor cases and our team continues to plan alongside local public health and emergency management on ways to be best prepared to support people experiencing homelessness through any future surges.  

Minnesota Housing is looking for feedback on how to allocate approximately $31 million of one-time HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME ARP) funds. HOME ARP funds are intended to assist individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing (or attempting to flee) domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking, or where providing supportive services or assistance would prevent homelessness or would serve those with the greatest risk of housing instability.  Eligible uses of HOME ARP funding include the production or preservation of affordable housing, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, homeless prevention services, and housing counseling as well as the purchase and development of non-congregate shelter.   

Please complete the brief survey (links below) by 5 p.m. (Central time) on Tuesday, January 31 to share your input on the needs in your community. It should take no more than 5-10 minutes. You can remain anonymous or identify yourself or your organization. Minnesota Housing will use your responses to inform funding allocation decisions. 

The beginning 10 minutes of each monthly webinar will be held to hear from the speakers bureau.  Anyone who has lived experience of homelessness is welcome to sign-up to share through the Speakers Bureau. This is open time each month for lived experience experts to share ideas and feedback with the webinar audience. Additional details can be found on this flyer.        

The next webinar Speakers Bureau will be on Wednesday, February 1 at 1:00 p.m. There is a monthly prep session held the Tuesday before the webinar. The prep session will be Tuesday, January 31 from 3:00-3:30 p.m. Follow this link to join the prep session. This is an ongoing opportunity that happens each month.  Sign up is required. Please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us or call/text Elizabeth at 651-248-5548 to sign up to speak or with any questions.