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Welcome to the MN Office of Ombudsperson for Families September Newsletter |
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MCLA Community Needs Survey, Citizen Review Panel, and community events!
 Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15!
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MCLA Community Needs Survey
The Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA) is partnering with Management Analysis and Development (MAD), a separate state government division, to conduct a community needs survey in Minnesota. The goal of the survey is to understand the most important issues currently affecting our communities, to have a better sense of how existing state programs benefit Latinos/es, and to learn what more the state should be doing to ensure Latino/e prosperity and wellbeing.
Your response to this survey is completely confidential and anonymous, but your voice will help MCLA more authentically educate and advise legislators on the aspirations of our communities. Complete the survey online!
For questions, please contact Aaron Sepulveda, Legislative and Policy Director in Education, at aaron.sepulveda@state.mn.us.
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Ramsey County Residents Needed
The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is looking for residents of Ramsey County to serve on the Ramsey County Citizen Review Panel to help improve the child welfare system. This is a volunteer position, but there may be a per diem stipend available.
Citizen Review Panel members will examine current child welfare policies, help eliminate racial disparities within the child protection system, recommend positive changes, and have an opportunity to make their voices heard in state policy and practice. Members need to live in Ramsey County and have either professional or lived experience in the foster care system, child abuse, or neglect.
Those who are interested can apply to join online.
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Clarifying My Core Values Cards
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare and the Center for Practice Transformation have teamed up to create a new card activity to connect to your innermost values. These Clarifying My Core Values Cards can help provide a sense of direction, purpose, and motivation, as well as serve as a tool for Motivational Interviewing to connect with families and caregivers.
Clarifying My Core Values Cards includes 30 values cards to choose from, as well as questions to help prompt and guide reflection. Ordering and shipping are free! Complete the online form to order, or email CASCW@umn.edu.
The STAR Within Us
Join the STAR House for the STAR Within Us, an evening of music, conversation, and community on Thursday, September 18! This event will allow community members to learn more about the work STAR House is doing to create a safe space in Ramsey County for kids to be kids.
There will be appetizers and beverages for attendees.
Event Details
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Date and Time: Thursday, September 18, 5:30 - 7:30pm
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Location: Saint Paul
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Registration: Registration is pay-what-you-can, from $10 - $50. Registration fees will help STAR House better serve children in Ramsey County. Register online.
Foster Care Community of Practice Meeting
The next Foster Care Community of Practice meetings are on October 28 and 30, 2025. The October 2025 meeting topic is caseworker visits with children in foster care. These sessions are geared towards ongoing case managers for children and youth in out-of-home placement who are receiving child protection, child welfare, children's mental health, disability services and/or corrections (for those with Title IV-E agreements).
Participants only need to attend one meeting; the content is the same.
Register for Oct. 28, 2025, 10:00 - 11:30am
Register for Oct. 30, 2025, 2:00 - 3:30pm
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Kinship Self-Care and Resource Fair
Save the date for Foster Adopt Minnesota's Kinship Self-Care and Resource Fair on Tuesday, September 16, 1:00 - 6:00pm! This event is free, and you can register online.
September is Kinship Month. Join Foster Adopt Minnesota at their St. Paul office for resources, community, self-care opportunities, and more. Guests will receive food, self-care gifts, prizes, and more!
Hennepin County African American Community Forum
Hennepin County residents are invited to a forum on Thursday, September 25, 4:00 - 6:00pm, for a discussion related to families affected by child protection. Hennepin County wants to hear from the community about how African American children are disproportionally impacted by child protection. Registration is required, and attendance is capped at 30 attendees. Register online to reserve your spot!
Event Location: Hennepin County Human Services Center, 1256 N Penn Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55411, Room 5201.
For questions, please contact Dominique Brown at Dominique.Brown@hennepin.us.
Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference
Registration is open for the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference. This event, Weaving a Wider Community: Seeing and Countering Racism in Our Own Backyard, is in person in Minneapolis, with the option to attend virtually in Greater Minnesota. Those in Greater Minnesota who are interested in attending can learn more online.
The keynote speakers are Mrs. Jenna Grey Eagle and Dr. Ronald Ferguson, moderated by Mrs. Eryn Gee Killough, M.Ed. Lunch is provided for those attending in person.
In-Person Conference Details
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