MIRHA Biweekly 3/27/2024

Minnesota Department of Health

MN Immigrant and Refugee Health Announcements Bi-Weekly Update

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March 27, 2024

The MIRHA Bi-Weekly Update is a compilation of announcements from listservs, community, partners, and MIRHN (Metro Immigrant and Refugee Health Network) members to improve the health and engagement of immigrant and refugee communities in Minnesota.  Sharing an item does not imply endorsement by the MDH Refugee and International Health program or MDH as a whole.  

If you have a relevant event, training, job posting, grant, resource, or other announcement you would like to share with the group, please send it with the subject line "MIRHA SUBMISSION" to kee.vang@state.mn.us and tenzin.chonyi.contractor@state.mn.us


April 1: Deadline for submitting abstracts to North American Refugee Health Conference

In honor of Minnesota’s historic leadership in U.S. refugee health care, the North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) will be held in Minneapolis from Aug. 5 to 7, 2024. NARHC brings together a diverse group of people interested or working in the field of refugee, immigrant, and newcomer health. Attendees learn about the latest and best practices in refugee and immigrant health and network with other people in the field. 

Abstract submissions are open now through April 1, 2024. Registration details and more information are available at NARHC Conference.


April 4: St. Kate's Health Fair

Public Health Fair Flyer

St. Catherine University's Public Health Department is hosting a free health fair on Thursday, April 4! Information about community health and wellbeing resources will be shared. Please see the flyer for more details about this event. 

Date and time: Thursday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST

Location: 2004 Randolph Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105

St. Catherine University, Coeur de Catherine Building, Second Floor Atrium


April 5: Preparing the Public Health Workforce to Address Health Equity Challenges

Join the University of Minnesota’s Health Equity Work Group for their 2024 Health Disparities Roundtable on April 5, 2024! This year’s event will focus on preparing the public health workforce to address health equity. The hybrid event will take place at Coffman Memorial Union Theater and will be available for online viewers through Zoom. 

Date, time and location: Friday, April 5, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. CST at Coffman Memorial Union Theater.

Register to attend virtually via Zoom. 


April 5: Connecting Immigrant Communities to Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Services

In this webinar, speakers will discuss the importance of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) services and highlight approaches that have successfully connected immigrant and refugee families with beneficial and culturally relevant services. Featuring recommendations from a Migration Policy Institute (MPI) policy brief being released that day, the discussion will explore opportunities to expand the accessibility and responsiveness of IECMH services to immigrant communities.

Date and time: Friday, April 5, at noon CST. 

Register to learn how to connect immigrant families to IECMH services.


April 10: Vectorborne Diseases & their Impact in Farmworker Communities

The National Center for Farmworker Health is hosting a webinar led by Dr. Bethany Boggess Alcauter who will discuss the anticipated vector-associated infections that might threaten farmworker communities throughout the U.S., including Malaria, Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile virus, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. This discussion will include typical clinical presentations, testing and treatment strategies, and barriers to health care experienced by people living and working in farmworker communities. 

Date and time: Wednesday, April 10, at 1 p.m. CST.

Register to learn more about vector-borne diseases and their impact on farmworker communities. 


April 12: 2024 Minnesota Medicaid Equity Forum (In-person session)

Recognizing that advancing health equity is a collective effort, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) will bring together a diverse group of partners and DHS staff to reflect on their collective work centering health equity and plans for sustaining statewide collective health equity efforts moving forward. 

The event will include an opening plenary, panel discussions exploring insights and learnings from statewide efforts to maintain healthcare coverage for all Minnesotans, and dialogue centered on building a shared vision and commitment to advancing health equity within the Minnesota Health Care Programs. 

Date and time: Friday, April 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.

Location: Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center - 6155 Earle Brown Drive Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Register to attend the Medicaid equity forum. 


April 12: Listen St. Cloud Presents Stories of Those Forced to Flee

Attend a powerful evening of stories shared by people with a refugee background who were forced to flee their homelands. The Listen St. Cloud event offers a platform for some of Arrive Ministries' former refugee clients and friends to tell their stories of journeying from dangerous situations and adjusting to life in St. Cloud.

Free and open to the public. 

Date, time and location: Friday, April 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. CST

Hope Covenant Church

336 4th Ave. S.

St. Cloud, MN 56301

Register to hear stories from those forced to flee their homelands.


April 18: Foundations of Mandatory Reporting for Refugee Service Providers

Switchboard is pleased to announce an upcoming ​webinar​ open to all refugee service providers, whether working at state agencies, resettlement agencies or affiliates, or other organizations.

This webinar will cover the basics of mandatory reporting, including what is considered a reportable situation, to whom service providers should report, and what crucial information to include in a report. Case scenarios will allow participants to explore the difficulties balancing and managing client trust, confidentiality, and relationships while upholding mandatory reporting responsibilities. Participants will also explore best practices to support clients throughout the reporting and investigation process.  

Date and time: Thursday, April 18, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. CST. 

Register to learn about mandatory reporting for refugee service providers.


Jobs (18)

Minnesota Department of Health

 

Workforce Pathways Planner (Apply by April 1) Job ID# 75041

To learn more and apply, visit www.mn.gov/careers and type in the job number on the search page.


Hennepin County

 

Planning Analyst, Principal (Apply by March 27)

Planning Analyst, Senior (Apply by March 27)

Staff Nurse (Apply by March 29)

NorthPoint Health & Wellness Chief Executive Officer (Apply by March 29)

Case Management Assistant (Russian or Ukrainian bilingual) (Apply by April 1)

Planning Analyst, Principal - Adult Protection Services (Apply by April 3)

WIC Lead Breastfeeding Peer Counselor (Apply by April 5)

Apply via Hennepin County's secure job opportunities website.


Minnesota Department of Administration

 

Language Translations Specialist - State Program Administrator (Hmong, Somali, or Spanish) (Apply by April 1) Job ID# 74630

For more information on this position, view the job posting. 


Minnesota Department of Education

 

Nutrition Program Consultant (Apply by April 4) Job ID# 74877

To learn more and apply, view the job posting. 


City of Bloomington

The City of Bloomington is currently hiring for two positions. Applications for both positions are due on Sunday, April 7

Public Health Program Supervisor (Community Resilience) 

Public Health Program Supervisor (Substance Use Prevention, Wellbeing, and Policy)  

View the job postings for more details on these positions. 


Karen Organization of Minnesota

The Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM) is currently hiring for multiple positions. Positions are open until filled.

Youth Health Programs Manager

Youth and Family Coach (Bilingual)

Activities Coordinator (New Arrival Programs)

Job Developer (Refugee Services)

Job Developer (Trades Careers)

To learn more and apply, visit KOM's job openings page


MORE

The Board of Directors of MORE, a community service nonprofit organization in St. Paul, is currently hiring for the following position:

Executive Director 

To learn more and apply, visit the job posting on MORE's website.


Grants & Funding (4)

Minnesota Department of Health

Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery Program Request for Proposals (Apply by April 1)

The Emmett Louis Till Victims Recovery Program was established in the 2023 legislative session to address the health and wellness needs of victims of trauma, their families, and heirs. The Minnesota Department of Health, in consultation with the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, seeks proposals for the purpose of providing services to victims, families, and their heirs. 

Victims, families, and heirs include:

  • Victims who experienced trauma, including historical trauma, resulting from events such as assault or another violent physical act, intimidation, false accusations, wrongful conviction, a hate crime, the violent death of a family member, or experiences of discrimination or oppression based on the victim's race, ethnicity, or national origin.
  • The families and heirs of victims who experienced trauma, including historical trauma, because of their proximity or connection to the victim.

Applications and questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by email to health.victimrecovery@state.mn.us.

Application deadline: Monday, April 1. 

For more information and to apply, visit the grant's webpage.

Long COVID Network and Capacity Building Grants: Request for Proposals (Apply by April 5)

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Long COVID Program is requesting proposals for eligible organizations to plan, create, and share equitable resources and information about long COVID and related conditions. 

To address inequities and disparities related to long COVID, Minnesota law states that MDH will award the grants to organizations that serve communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, long COVID, and related conditions. This includes, but is not limited to, rural and low-income areas, Black and African Americans, African immigrants, American Indians, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latino(a) communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and persons living with disabilities. Organizations may also address intersectionality within these groups.

All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted by Friday, March 22, at 4:30 p.m. CST to health.longCOVID@state.mn.us with the subject line “RFP Question.” 

Applications are due on Friday, April 5, by 11:59 p.m. CST. 

Learn more about this funding opportunity and how to apply. 

Sexual Violence Prevention Grant Program Request for Proposals (Apply by May 17)

 

The Minnesota Department of Health Sexual Violence Prevention Program (MDH SVPP) is excited to announce a request for proposals (RFP) for the Sexual Violence Prevention (SVP) Grant Program. The SVP Grant is a four-and-a-half-year grant program that will begin in August 2024 and end in January 2029.

The goal of the SVP grant program is to support activities that stop sexual violence from occurring by promoting health equity.

Program activities are required to focus on at least one of the following three priority areas:

  • Strengthen economic supports for individuals and families
  • Create protective environments
  • Promote social norms that protect against violence

Applicants are also encouraged to focus on activities that promote community-level and/or societal-level change.

Applications due: Friday, May 17, by 11:59 p.m. CST.

For more information and to apply, visit the grant program's webpage. 


U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Minority Health: Community Level Innovations for Improving Health Outcomes Grant (Apply by May 15)

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) is seeking applications for projects to demonstrate that community-level innovations that reduce barriers related to social determinants of health (SDOH) can increase use of preventive health services and make progress toward Leading Health Indicator (LHI) targets. LHIs are a subset of high priority Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) objectives selected to drive action toward improving health and well-being. SDOH are described in HP2030 as conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. 

Deadline: Wednesday, May 15, at 5 p.m. CST.

To learn more and apply for this opportunity, visit the job listing.


Engagement Opportunities (1)

Resettlement Programs Office: Nominations for the 2024 Outstanding Refugee Awards

Every year the Resettlement Programs Office (RPO) of the Minnesota Department of Human Services honors local leaders and citizens with Outstanding Refugee Awards to recognize neighbors, coworkers, employees and friends who, as former refugees, are showing leadership in small and large ways to improve our communities.

Nominate individuals in one of four categories

  1. Entrepreneurship
  2. Civic Leadership
  3. Young Leader
  4. New Arrival

Nominations accepted through Sunday, March 31. Nominate an outstanding refugee here: Nomination Form

The individuals selected will be honored at a public celebration in August 2024.

For questions about nominations or completing the form, please email: dhs.rpo.outreach@state.mn.us.


Resources (3)

Minnesota Department of Health: Share our new travelers' health posters!

MDH’s Infectious Disease Equity and Engagement (IDEE) Team is excited to share new travelers' health posters from our partnership with Minneapolis College’s graphic design students.

MDH selected and contracted with four finalists from the class. The posters contain information to help travelers stay safe as well as reminders for health care professionals when seeing patients traveling internationally. Posters can be shared electronically and also printed out. If you would like to request printed posters, please email health.idee@state.mn.us 

For more resources, visit Materials and Resources: International Travel and Infectious Disease

"Remember your travel ABCs!" Travel Health Poster

Remember Your Travel ABCs (PDF)

Healthy Travel Starts with You (PDF) 

Are Your Patients Travel Ready (PDF)

Keep Travel in Mind (PDF)


National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Psychological First Aid Guide for Children's Advocacy Center Supervisors

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has released their Psychological First Aid Guide for Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) supervisors.

This guide provides information for supporting the staff in a CAC setting who have been exposed to critical incidents and may have concerns about their physical or psychological safety. The guidance is directed toward supervisors and leaders in CACs regardless of professional training or background.  

View the Psychological First Aid Guide


Welcoming America: Empowering Immigrant Communities to Fight Against Fraud in Multiple Languages

On Thursday, March 7, Welcoming America hosted a webinar with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, and a member from the Welcoming Network to share ways to empower immigrant communities to fight against fraud.

This webinar covers how to spot and avoid common scams, as well as how to use the FTC’s new educational materials in multiple languages to help people in your community protect themselves against scammers.

Watch the recorded webinar to learn more.


News (1)

Minnesota Department of Human Services pilots Refugee and Immigrant Helpline

The Resettlement Programs office of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced the pilot launch of the Refugee and Immigrant Helpline, which began operations on Monday, March 18. This helpline is designed to serve as a connection for refugees and immigrants to community resources across the state, referrals to services funded by the Resettlement Programs Office, and answers to pressing questions.

The pilot phase will primarily focus on outreach for the Ukrainian community in Minnesota. Post-pilot, DHS aims to expand their outreach to serve all refugee and immigrant communities within the state.

Helpline Details:

  • Refugee and Immigrant Helpline Number: 1-800-814-4806
  • Operating Hours during the Pilot: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. CST.
  • Languages Available: Spanish, Ukrainian, Russian, English and Language Line (for any other languages)
  • Voicemail and Email: Outside of operating hours, individuals can leave a voicemail or email at dhs.rpo.helpline@state.mn.us for assistance.

More information on the Minnesota Immigrant and Refugee Health Network (MIRHN), including meeting information, can be found here:
https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/rih/about/mirhn.html

If you've been forwarded this email and would like to subscribe to the MIRHA email list, go here: Subscribe to Minnesota Immigrant and Refugee Health Announcements