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Welcome to the MN Office of Ombudsperson for Families May Newsletter |
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AANHPI Heritage Month and Community Updates
 2025 #AANHPI Unity, Resilience, and Resistance Flag
Happy Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in Minnesota! Join the AANHPI community for celebrations throughout the month. The new 2025 #AANHPI Unity, Resilience, and Resistance Flag was introduced to symbolize the enduring legacy of these communities:
- Deep Blue: represents the ocean and the unity of the AANHPI communities.
- Gold: honors prosperity and resilience.
- Green: symbolizes land, growth, and the environment.
- Red: acknowledges prosperity, joy, and the strength of resistance in times of adversity.
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Proclamations of AANHPI Month
Various cities and states across the country have issued a proclamation naming May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Minnesota
The State of Minnesota: read the proclamation from Governor Walz
The Cities of Moorhead and Dilworth: read the proclamation from the mayors
The City of Saint Paul: read the proclamation from Mayor Carter
The City of Roseville: read the proclamation from Mayor Roe
Other States
The State of Illinois: read the proclamation from Governor Pritzker
The State of Maryland: read the proclamation from Governor Moore
The State of Michigan: read the proclamation from Governor Whitmer
The State of Oregon: read the proclamation from Governor Kotek
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: read the proclamation from Governor Shapiro
The State of Wisconsin: read the proclamation from Governor Evers
Ombudsperson Zuniga and OBFF Board Members at AAPI Rising Leadership Summit
Ombudsperson Manuel Zuniga, OBFF API Board Chair Brook Mallak, and OBFF Board Member Thanh Glasco attended the CAPI AAPI Rising Leadership Summit on April 21. This event brought together leaders in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community for a day of networking, panel discussions, and leadership development.
The event featured the following speakers:
- Christine Chen, Executive Director for APIA Vote
- Michelle Li, Cofounder of Very Asian Foundation
- Sam Hyun, Director of Government Relations at The Asian American Foundation
- Asma Mohammed, Director of Advocacy at Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment
- Kao Kalia Yang, Award winning Hmong writer, speaker, and teacher
- Dr. Bruce Corrie, Professor of Economics at Concordia University
- Chenue Her, anchor at FOX9 News, who served as the event's emcee
Learn more about the work CAPI does in the community. Thank you to CAPI for putting on such a great event!
Take the Minnesota LGBTQIA2S+ Community Needs Survey
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans is conducting a community needs survey for Minnesotans age 18 and older in the LGBTQIA2S+ community, as well as parents/guardians of LGBTQIA2S+ youth. This survey is an opportunity for LBGTQIA2S+ Minnesotans to share their experiences, challenges, and priorities, and to help shape policies and advocacy efforts in Minnesota.
Take the survey online.
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Infant Safe Sleep Community Listening Sessions
Minnesota Department of Health invites you to attend Infant Safe Sleep Community Listening Sessions throughout the rest of May. These conversations hope to elevate community-driven solutions to eliminate sudden unexpected infant death by 2033. If you have any questions, please reach out to info@courageouschangecollective.org.
African/African American In-Person Community Listening Session
American Indian Virtual Community Listening Session
African/African American Virtual Community Listening Session
Humphrey Policy Fellows Program Applications Open
Applications for the 2025-2026 Humphrey Policy Fellows Program are now open! The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (CSPG) supports various initiatives related to public policy and civic life. This program is for mid-career leaders in government, nonprofit and business who are looking to deepen their skills, expand their networks, and work across difference to strengthen Minnesota.
The application will be open from now until Friday, May 9 at 11:59pm. For questions, contact cspg@umn.edu.
Upcoming Free Virtual Legal Clinic
Ampersand Families in partnership with the Institute to Transform Child Protection (ITCP) have two upcoming FREE Virtual Legal Clinics for relative & kin families who are hoping to be a permanency resource for a child(ren) in foster care.
The next session is on Friday, June 13, both 12:00 - 1:30pm via Zoom. Space is limited, so please RSVP at least one week in advance. Register for the June 13 session.
For questions, please contact tabetha@ampersandfamilies.org.
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Ramsey County Trusted Messenger Initiative Grants
Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health is looking for local community organizations to be a part of the Trusted Messenger Initiative. Trusted Messengers (TM) are local organizations who partner with public health to give residents better access to accurate, culturally specific, and linguistically appropriate public health information and healthcare services that align with the community’s needs. Read more about Trusted Messenger Initiative grants online.
Complete the application form and submit it to paul.carlson@co.ramsey.mn.us.
Applications must be received by 2:00pm CDT on May 14, 2025.
Spring 2025 Metro Mobility Community Conversations
Metro Mobility customers and advocates are invited to participate in a gathering online (May 27) or in person (May 29) to provide input and engage in a conversation about Metro Mobility services. Accommodations will be made with advance notice - two weeks of notice is preferred. Register for the engagement sessions.
Special Education Advisory Panel Applicants Needed
Minnesota Department of Education is seeking applicants for our Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) to provide policy and procedural guidance for special education and related services for children with disabilities in Minnesota. They are seeking applicants to serve as the following:
- parent/guardian representative
- school/related service personnel
- student representative
The panel meets about five times per year and members serve three-year terms. Learn more and apply by May 31.
17th Annual Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference
You are invited to the 17th Annual Community Empowerment Through Black Men Healing Conference on Thursday, June 26, and Friday, June 27, 2025, at St. Paul College! This year’s theme is "Black Fathers." The event will focus on the challenges that fathers face in being involved in their children's lives, from prenatal care and beyond, while exploring culturally sensitive approaches that celebrate and uplift Black fathers.
Register now to secure your spot. For more information, or to stay updated, please visit www.brothershealing.com. #blackfathers
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