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Welcome to the MN Office of Ombudsperson for Families October Newsletter |
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Happy Filipino American History Month!
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Welcome to OBFF's New Investigator!
The Office of Ombudsperson for Families welcomes Josephine Dickson, who joins the OBFF team as the office’s investigator.
Josephine comes to the OBFF with a wealth of experience in child protection, having worked as an Assessment Family Case Manager for the Indiana Department of Child Services. Josephine also has experience working in health care and is currently studying to complete a Master of Social Work degree (MSW). Josephine is also, most importantly, the proud mother of an almost-10 year old.
The OBFF is excited to welcome Josephine to the team in this new role, and we look forward to the addition of her position helping us increase the office’s capacity and ability to serve Minnesotans across the state.
Ombudsperson Ann Hill Receives Minnesota Association of Black Social Workers Award
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Ann Hill, Ombudsperson for African American Families, was honored by the Minnesota Association of Black Social Workers on Friday, October 3, 2025. Ombudsperson Hill expressed her gratitude, saying she was “humbled and honored” to receive this award after 35 years of service to Black families in Minnesota. She also thanked the Minnesota Association of Black Social Workers, both past and present, for their support and encouragement. Although progress has been made, she acknowledged that there is still much work to do. |
Patricia Torres Ray Wins 2025 Facing Race Award
The Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation has awarded former Minnesota Senator Patricia Torres Ray with a 2025 Facing Race Award! The Facing Race Awards recognize anti-racism advocates in Minnesota who challenge absent and harmful narratives on race, build solutions that unite instead of divide and push for justice and equity.
Patricia Torres Ray has been involved in public service to Minnesota for 35 years, including serving as the first Ombudsperson for Families for 7 years after advocating for the agency's creation. In 2006, she became the first Latina elected to the Minnesota Senate, and after 16 years serving in the senate, Patricia opened her own firm, PTR Associates.
Join the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation on Thursday, October 16, at 6:00pm for a virtual celebration of the Facing Race Award winners! Register for the online celebration.
Read about the other winners of the 2025 Facing Race Awards, and congratulations to Patricia Torres Ray!
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National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.
CMAH Legislative Groups
The Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage (CMAH) invites you to participate in one of their new Issue Groups, part of their strategic effort to expand legislative engagement and make lasting change in our communities. These groups will focus on critical areas impacting our state:
- Education Equity
- Economic Development
- Public Safety and Justice
- Health and Human Services
- Immigrants and Refugees
Your participation will be essential in ensuring we amplify the voices of African Heritage Communities across the State of Minnesota, along with our collaborators, supporters, and all those working toward positive change. If you would like to participate, complete the online interest form. For questions, email Outreach.CMAH@state.mn.us.
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Improving Racial Identity Data Collection
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) has developed a new guide for child protection case workers called Improving Racial Identity Data Collection. This guide helps with accurate collection of racial and ethnic identity data, specifically for child welfare professionals.
Improving Racial Identity Data Collection teaches child welfare professionals about the concepts of and differences between race and ethnicity, why data collection practices matter, tips for accurate racial identity data collection, how culture fits in with a person's identity, and more. Download the guide for free today!
For questions, please email cascw@umn.edu.
FREC Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference
Registration is open for the Facilitating Racial Equity Collaborative (FREC) Greater Minnesota Partnership Racial Equity Conference. Those in Greater Minnesota who are interested in attending can learn more online.
In-Person Conference Details
Uplift and Uphold: Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, and the Law
Join Mobilize Recovery and Hazelden Betty Ford for an in-person symposium titled UPLIFT & UPHOLD: Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, and the Law.
Speakers will include Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Dallas-based author, attorney and recovery advocate Brian Cuban. This event will include interactive breakout sessions and a social hour for multidisciplinary networking. Explore the ways that the legal, treatment, academic, and peer recovery communities can collaborate to reduce stigma and advocate for effective public policies related to mental health and substance use.
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Saturday, October 11, 1:00 - 4:30pm
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Location: Mitchell Hamline School of Law Auditorium, 875 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN
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Registration: Register online
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UROC Community Day 2025
Save the date for the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC) Community Day 2025 on Thursday, October 16 - The Promise We Keep: Community, Courage, and Connection.
This open house will reaffirm the power of true partnership between the University of Minnesota and the community, as well as the shared promise to listen, learn, and lead side by side. Stop by for informative displays, live music, local food, official UROC swag, and more!
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Thursday, October 16, 4:00 - 7:00pm
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Location: UROC, 2001 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411
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Registration: This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Register online today!
Circus of the Heart 2025
Join Foster Adopt Minnesota for the 28th Annual Circus of the Heart! This event kicks off Minnesota's Adoption Awareness Month.
This event is free and has both an in-person and virtual option. There will be arcade games, crafts, art, outdoor games, food trucks, and more, while you can learn more about adoption in Minnesota.
Event Details
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Date and Time: Saturday, November 1, 1:00 - 4:00pm
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Location: North End Event Center, Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN 55108; or attend virtually
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Registration: Learn more and register online
MNCWTA Job Opportunity
The Minnesota Child Welfare Training Academy (MNCWTA) is hiring for a Supervisor Coaching Community Trainer. This role will be a critical member of the training and delivery community training team and will train child welfare supervisors using the State coaching curriculum.
This position is part-time and involves classroom training and preparation. Applications are open until filled. Applicants must reside in the state of Minnesota. Learn more and apply online!
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