COVID-19 testing will again be available at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood over the next two weeks. Testing is free and open to everyone, with or without symptoms. No insurance and no ID is required. Drive-thru and walk-thru testing will be available with interpreters onsite.

Aldrich Arena - 1850 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, MN 55109

• Weekends: Saturday, Sept. 26 & Saturday, Oct. 3, 1 - 6 p.m.
• Weekdays: Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1, Noon - 7 p.m.

Registration is strongly recommended to reduce wait times and is available online at ramseycounty.us/testingsites

The testing at Aldrich has been organized by Saint Paul – Ramsey County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health with the support of multiple partners, including the Minnesota National Guard who will be onsite to help with testing on weekdays. Check ramseycounty.us/testingsites for updates and additional information on community testing sites including Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Saint Paul this week.

TechPak, a partnership between Tech Dump, Literacy Minnesota, Saint Paul Public Library and Ramsey County, is a new initiative bringing computers, internet and digital literacy training into the homes of Ramsey County residents who have experienced economic impacts due to COVID-19.

The packs include a refurbished laptop, a hotspot for internet access and quick start guides. Additionally, each computer comes pre-loaded with bookmarks to assist in job searches and trainings, and comes with a one-year warranty.

During the upcoming enrollment period, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, TechPaks will be awarded to eligible Ramsey County residents who have experienced job loss, reduced hours, change of household income or have other barriers due to COVID-19.

Details about the application process can be found at ramseycounty.us/TechPak. 

Have you lost your job due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Help may be available through the county’s dislocated worker program. Services are designed to help people who have been laid off through no fault of their own get back to work as quickly as possible.

Services for eligible people include: 

• Career planning and counseling.
• Job search assistance. 
• Connections to employers hiring now. 
• Counselor-approved training. 
• Other support services.

For more information or to connect with an employment professional, call 651-266-9890 or visit ramseycounty.us/workforce

Career Exploration Online: September 28, 9-11 a.m.

Assessments, exercises and small group discussions will be used to identify interests and values. Participants will use outcomes to generate and evaluate career choices.

StrengthsFinder Online: September 30, 9-11 a.m.

In this workshop, you will take the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment to discover your top five strengths. You will learn how to leverage and turn your dominant talents into strengths for career planning.  

All workshops are free and held online. Learn more about CareerForce events.

A virtual community conversation about food security and basic needs is happening Sept. 28 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

The conversation will include an update on the county’s work to address the priority areas identified this spring through community engagement, including investing CARES funding in food and basic needs through RISE programs and contracts.

All are welcome; we especially encourage participation from community members and providers that have been previously engaged in food security work, as well as individuals or groups who’ve received or provide services in response to the pandemic.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is conducting a voluntary statewide survey through Sept. 30 to better understand the spread of COVID-19 in Minnesota. Randomly selected Ramsey County households will be among the 180 sites in the state teams of public health professionals will be visiting for the in-person survey.

Learn more