On Monday May 15, Governor Walz signed the $1 billion housing omnibus bill, the largest single investment in housing in state history! This historic investment will help construct new housing with a focus on units in Greater Minnesota, reduce homeownership disparities, and promote housing stability through expanding access to rental assistance and additional resources for homelessness prevention. Governor Walz also signed the Veterans and Military Affairs omnibus bill which includes millions in new funding to effectively prevent and end veteran homelessness, including funds to construct dozens of permanent supportive housing rental units and facilitate the Homeless Veteran Registry, a tool that identifies veterans experiencing homelessness and connects them to services.
The work continues in the final days of the legislative session. As the session wraps up, stay tuned for more important updates on additional investments!
Join us for the next Monthly Webinar on Wednesday, June 7 to hear a summary of the legislative session and increased investments to support housing stability. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please send an email to elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us. If you cannot attend the webinar, all materials and recordings are shared here: https://mich.mn.gov/webinars.
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, June 7 at 1:00 p.m. There is a monthly prep session held the Tuesday before the webinar. The prep session will be Tuesday, June 6 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.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is seeking proposals for the infectious disease Trusted Messenger program for people experiencing homelessness. The purpose of the Trusted Messenger program is to equip people living and working in homeless or congregate living settings to learn and communicate with their peers about COVID-19 and other routine vaccinations to prevent infectious disease. Participating organizations will select Trusted Messengers from their programs, either clients or staff, who will share their own experiences, and provide a non-medical, non-threatening perspective to aid their peers in making decisions about vaccinations and other preventative measures. Participating organizations can apply for funding to provide peer education and outreach within their own organizations or to work in other settings in partnership with the MDH. Organizations can also apply for funding for vaccine incentives.
This opportunity is open to non-profit and for-profit organizations, local governments (city and county), community health boards, and tribal nations working with people experiencing homelessness. Organizations can apply on their own or as part of a multi-organization collaboration. The RFP materials can be found on MDH Center of Excellence Page. Proposals are due Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. This deadline has been extended from the previous deadline of Mary 19, 2023. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email to health.homelessness@state.mn.us and include “Trusted Messenger RFP Question” in the subject line.
The Department of Human Services is encouraging individuals to keep their contact information up to date to get updated information on the renewal process and avoid losing coverage. Learn more about the renewal process, update your contact information, and get information on how to stay connected in this process at https://mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/. Renewals for Medical Assistance enrollees will take place based on the anniversary month of an individual’s application for coverage. Renewal processes for Medical Assistance restarted in April 2023, beginning with enrollees who have a July renewal. Medical Assistance enrollees will receive a pre-renewal in the mail three months before your enrollment anniversary and the renewal form will be mailed one to two months before the renewal is due. Renewals for MinnesotaCare coverage will restart beginning in October 2023 for coverage effective January 1, 2024.
Last Thursday, May 11, CDC posted updates to several COVID-19 guidance documents to coincide with the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration for COVID-19. Major updates include:
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COVID-19 Community Levels will no longer be used. They have been replaced by COVID-19 hospital admission levels.
- Intake testing for COVID-19 has been changed to an enhanced prevention strategy (relevant for correctional settings).
- Healthcare staff within facilities should still use CDC’s healthcare infection control guidance for COVID-19
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The Olmstead Implementation Office is seeking a new Director. The Olmstead Implementation Office Director helps lead the implementation of the state’s Olmstead Plan to ensure people with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to live, learn, work and enjoy life in integrated settings. Learn more about the position and apply today with job ID #65733. This position may be eligible for a hiring incentive of up to $10,000. Apply for the open position by midnight on Monday, June 5 2023. You can learn more about the Olmstead Implementation Office’s work at https://mn.gov/olmstead/.
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Heading Home Corps is currently recruiting members for the 2023-24 program year, and has start dates available in August, October or January. Heading Home Corps places a Housing Resource Navigator (AmeriCorps member) at a service site to support individuals experiencing homelessness - navigating resources and supports to secure safe and stable housing. The position works to establish a relationship with individuals on their caseload and will work with each individual to assess their unique needs, set goals, and sit side-by-side to help navigate resources to overcome barriers and ultimately achieve their goals. View the position description to learn more. If you are interested in serving as a member, submit an application by August 9, 2023, for a start date on August 28, by October 4, 2023, for a start date of October 23, and by December 13, 2023, for a start date of January 25, 2024. Partner with Heading Home Corps and apply to be a site partner. You can learn more about becoming a host site in the Guide to Partnering with Heading Home Corps. If you have questions email the team at headinghome@ampact.us.
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Help us spread the word about a new newsletter for engagement opportunities for people who have faced or are currently facing homelessness. The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness is building a new newsletter list to share opportunities for people who have faced or are currently facing homelessness to share their input, ideas, and expertise. Interested individuals can sign up for the newsletter by filling out this form. We will share a range of opportunities in this newsletter from state agencies and partner organizations and the newsletter will be sent out as opportunities are available. Please email elizabeth.dressel@state.mn.us if you have any questions.
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