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An earlier edition of this newsletter failed to include the section "Minnesota Department of Human Services is hiring" - we apologize for the omission!
In this edition:
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Hear highlights about Crossroads to Justice from the Implementation Consultants on the March 5 MICH webinar
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Guide for shelters on how to prevent and manage norovirus outbreaks
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Emergency Services Program RFP now open, due April 7
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Volunteers needed to review Department of Human Services RFPs this spring
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Minnesota Department of Human Services is hiring
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Join weekly “Federal Focus on Housing” meetings with Minnesota Housing Partnership
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Sharing our affirmations and commitments on socials
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Crossroads to Justice: Implementation Consultant Ricardo “Rico” Morales on collaborating with the Department of Health
Be sure to join the next monthly webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, March 5 from 1 - 2 p.m. If you have any questions about your webinar registration, please email dan.gregory@state.mn.us
On the March 5 webinar, the MICH Implementation Consultants will share highlights from their work with State agencies on the Crossroads to Justice strategic plan.
The implementation of this plan is being co-led and co-monitored by 14 paid Implementation Consultants, all people with lived experience of homelessness representing different experiences and different parts of the state. Their expertise and priorities are shaping the daily work of state agencies.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has created a toolkit for shelters dealing with norovirus outbreaks. Find the downloadable toolkit here.
The toolkit is intended for use during a suspected outbreak of acute viral gastroenteritis at your shelter. The intent is to 1) provide guidance on implementing measures to stop the outbreak and determine its cause; and 2) collect data on the outbreak to prevent future outbreaks and inform disease burden estimates. It includes links to additional resources and a Frequently Asked Questions section.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking Proposals from qualified Responders to provide emergency shelter, drop-in/day shelter or street outreach through the Emergency Services Program. This RFP is the mechanism by which providers will have access to the anticipated annual increase in Emergency Services Program (ESP) funding of approximately $11 million, with the exact amount of funding available determined as part of the 2025 Minnesota Legislative Session. The term of any resulting contract is anticipated to be for approximately 24 months, from July 2025 until June 30, 2027.
These funds can be used to meet the operation, administration and supportive services costs of shelter, drop-in/day shelter, and outreach programs. As part of the evaluation phase, priority points will be awarded to DHS-funded shelter capital projects and projects specifically targeting the unsheltered, urban (7-county metro) American Indian Community.
Funding under this RFP is to be distributed statewide to the maximum extent possible. There is no cap on the maximum award amount, or the number of awards made by the STATE. However, applicants should consider the following when submitting their funding request:
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The amount of funding needed to successfully deliver the programming they propose,
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their capacity to administer and effectively utilize the funding they are requesting, and
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the need that exists for Emergency Services Program funding in all Minnesota communities.
Questions? Responders’ questions regarding this RFP must be submitted in writing by Thursday, March 27, 202 prior to 4:00 p.m. Central Time. All questions must be addressed to:
Questions will be addressed in writing and posted on the DHS Grants and RFP website via a link to Responder Questions and Answers.
Submission Deadline: Proposals submitted in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) must be received no later than 4 p.m., Central Time, on Monday, April 7, 2025 to OEO.Shelter.and.Housing.DHS@state.mn.us. Late proposals will not be considered.
The Grant Program Team (GPT) within the Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA) at the Department of Human Services (DHS), is seeking volunteers to review applications for upcoming Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
As a reviewer, you will assess applications submitted by nonprofit agencies, counties, and tribal nations, which outline their proposals for utilizing funding under the following RFPs:
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Community Living Infrastructure (CLI): Funding for Counties and Tribal Nations (or groups thereof) to integrate housing into local health and human services systems. Approximate review timeline: May 2025.
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Emergency Services Program (ESP): Funding for drop-in, emergency shelter, and outreach programs for people experiencing homelessness. Approximate review timeline: April 2025.
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Homeless Youth Act (HYA) Capital: Funding to make minor or mechanical repairs or improvements to facilities serving youth experiencing homelessness. Approximate review timeline: April 2025.
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Housing Access Services (HAS): Funding to help people with disabilities and disabling conditions access housing. Approximate review timeline: May 2025.
If you would like to volunteer as a reviewer, please complete the linked survey by Tuesday, March 18: https://forms.office.com/g/v4TecK6zpG
(Note: You can indicate which RFP(s) you would prefer to review.)
Once you submit the survey, you will receive a confirmation email with additional RFP details and an overview of reviewer expectations.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Homelessness, Housing, and Support Services Administration (HHSSA) is hiring for three leadership positions. These positions play critical roles in guiding a portfolio of programs and policies to prevent and end homelessness, support people with low incomes and/or disabilities, confront egregious disparities in housing instability, and connect people with needed services.
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Chief Administrative Officer and Recovery Director (Job ID #83925). This leadership position oversees HHSSA’s administrative functions, including setting and managing budgets, contracting, and numerous administrative processes. Serves as a member of DHS’s Senior Strategy Team and represents HHSSA and the Assistant Commissioner in a variety of internal groups and processes. Reports to Assistant Commissioner Eric Grumdahl. Closes Friday, March 14, 2025.
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Grant Programs Team Supervisor (Job ID #84358). This leadership role within the Grant Programs Team supervises HHSSA’s grant programs related to behavioral health, long-term homelessness, and transitional housing. Reports to Dina Chou, Grants Program Team Manager. Closes on Monday, March 10, 2025.
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Housing Support Supervisor (Job ID #84443). This position provides strategic leadership and oversight of the Housing Support program—a large, complex statewide program administered in partnership with counties and Tribal governments to help eligible individuals access and maintain stable housing. Reports to Jeremy Galley, Income Supports Manager. Closes on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
The Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP) is hosting weekly meetings Fridays from 10 – 11 a.m. to identify the impacts of federal actions on housing, share information, and recommend advocacy activities. Click here to register for these meetings.
In Crossroads to Justice, there is a section titled “The Commitment to the Work Ahead.” This past month, we’ve been talking about these affirmations and commitments on our social media. Have you followed us yet to see these? If not, now is the perfect moment: find MICH on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
These commitments and affirmations guide the approach to our work. If they resonate with you, too, please consider sharing the posts with your network!
Crossroads to Justice is the strategic plan of the Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness (MICH), bringing a housing, racial and health justice approach for people facing homelessness in Minnesota to guide the work of state government.
The implementation of this plan is being co-led and co-monitored by 14 paid Implementation Consultants, all people with lived experience of homelessness representing different experiences and different parts of the state. Their expertise and priorities are shaping the daily work of state agencies.
Rico Morales is a lifelong Minnesota resident. He’s an Indigenous person. He’s struggled with housing stability for most of his life. He is also one of the leading voices for change in housing support programs—not just for Minnesota, but for the region and the United States of America.
Rico’s reflections on working with the Department of Health
"The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has been doing great work on the MICH Strategic Plan for their part and so much more. The work to end homelessness and serve others in need of resources and health care is ongoing. Josh Leopold is the agency lead for this work and has been engaging and collaborating with MICH consultants all the time to seek input, solutions, suggestions, and added involvement from the community. MDH is seeking long-term input and cooperation with these consultants and other community members as opportunities to provide feedback and help guide the conversations and work moving forward, with compensation for this work being provided as well. One of the projects we are working on is the Minnesota Overdose Alert process and response. As an independent contractor and formerly unhoused person recovering from chronic health issues I know that homelessness is a public health crisis and we are working on these solutions every day with the leadership and alliance of MDH and I thank them for this opportunity to serve the community."
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