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Welcome to the MN Office of Ombudsperson for Families November Newsletter |
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Happy Native American Heritage Month!
Keeping Families Connected Minnesota
Keeping Families Connected Minnesota (KFCMN) is a community nonprofit created to bridge the gaps in legal services to families, including relatives and kin, impacted by Minnesota's child welfare system.
KFCMN works to prevent family separation by providing legal services and equity-based child welfare policy reform. The organization uses an interdisciplinary model, with a team including attorneys, a social worker, and a case navigator with lived experience in the child welfare system. KFCMN provides the following legal services in a holistic manner: prevention-based advocacy (delegations of parental authority, eviction expungement, public benefits support, etc.), child protection-related advocacy (foster care licensing, adoptions, etc.), and advocacy after child protection case (visitation and contact advocacy, support for compliance with contact agreements, transfers of custody). In certain cases, KFCMN attorneys can provide full representation to relatives.
For urgent advice, you can reach the KFCMN hotline at +1 (612) 424-6958. Otherwise, learn more on their website or email info@kfcmn.org with questions.
Update on SNAP, MFIP, and Medicaid
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) food benefits will not be issued for November until the shutdown ends or the federal government issues further guidance. There is no immediate impact to Medicaid or DHS programs.
Please refer to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) website for the latest information on SNAP and MFIP benefits. If you need help finding food, find resources near you via the Food Group.
Please refer to the Department of Human Services (DHS) website for the latest updates on Medicaid.
Election day is Tuesday, November 4!
Find your polling place and learn about what's on your ballot. For more information about elections in Minnesota, check out the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
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OBFF Holiday Hours
The Office of Ombudsperson for Families is closed on the following days in November:
- Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day)
- Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving Day)
- Friday, November 28
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School of Social Work Survey - Caregivers Wanted
University of Minnesota School of Social Work Associate Professor Dr. Jeff Waid is conducting study titled "Uplifting caregiver voice to strengthen systems of prevention for Minnesota's children and families." The goal of this study is to understand and elevate the experiences of caregivers attempting to navigate health care and social services for their children and families in Minnesota. Dr. Waid is seeking 30 caregivers to share their experiences!
To be eligible to participate in the study, you must meet the following:
- You must be at least 18 years old and caring for a minor-age child.
- You must live in Minnesota.
- You have experienced barriers accessing health care and social services for your child and family in Minnesota.
- You believe the barriers are due to you or you child's race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, immigration, or economic status.
- You are able to complete the study activities in the English language.
Participants can complete the study activities remotely, in less than one hour, at a time convenient to them. Activities include a 20 minute electronic survey and 30 minute Zoom interview. Participants who complete both the survey and interview will be emailed a $50 electronic gift card for their time.
If you have any questions about the research, please contact swresearch@umn.edu.
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Refugee and Immigrant Helpline Information Session
Join navigators from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Refugee and Immigrant Helpline for an information session to learn more about how this program connects you to resources and services in location communities.
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Wednesday, November 5, 2:00 - 2:30pm
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Location: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
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Registration: Register online
Isuroon 15th Anniversary Gratitude Dinner
Join Isuroon as they celebrate 15 years of resilience, growth, and community impact. Together, we will honor our journey of thriving against the odds and look ahead to a bold 2030 vision scaling up sustainably, persistently, and with hope.
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Tuesday, November 11, 5:30 - 7:30pm
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Location: Norway House, 913 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
- RSVP: Please register in advance to secure your spot.
Esther Wattenberg Policy Forum and Breakfast
The Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) and Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) invite you to the 2025 Esther Wattenberg Policy Forum and Breakfast. This event is held in honor of the late Esther Wattenberg and will include breakfast and a short program.
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Wednesday, December 3, 8:30 - 10:00am
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Location: Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 301 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Registration: RSVP Online
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2025 ICWA Meet and Greet
The Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID) Family Preservation Committee invites you to attend an ICWA Meet and Greet on Monday, November 17! This event is a great opportunity for frontline staff and those new to working with American Indian families to learn about our American Indian community organizations, share a meal, and win drawing prizes. Everyone is welcome!
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Monday, November 17, 11:30am - 1:30pm
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Location: Minneapolis American Indian Center, 1530 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404
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Registration: register online
DCYF November Community Navigator Community of Practice
Join the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for their November Community Navigator Community of Practice webinar!
November's webinar will feature Joanna Woolman, executive director of Keeping Families Connected Minnesota. Joanna is an innovative and strategic non-profit executive with a strong foundation in child welfare law and community informed policy.
Event Details:
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Date and Time: Wednesday, November 19, 1:00 - 2:00pm
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Location: Virtual, via Microsoft Teams
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Registration: Register online
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