August 2023 newsletter: Transforming Systems Together grants, food scraps recycling, All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan

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August 2023 Newsletter

In this issue:

Transforming Systems Together announces $1.2M in first-round community grants

TST grant announcement

Transforming Systems Together (TST), Ramsey County’s shared decision-making initiative with community members, has awarded $1,228,550 to 26 community organizations and individuals in its first-ever round of grantmaking. These TST Grants will support organizations and community members in providing programs and services directly to those who have, or are potentially vulnerable to, involvement in the child protection system in Ramsey County.

See the grant awardees


Enhancements will support one of the largest residential co-collection food scrap recycling programs in the country

Ramsey/Washington Recycling & Energy (R&E) has completed innovative enhancements at the R&E Center, a 450,000 ton per year solid waste processing facility in Newport.

These enhancements, which include a building addition and next-generation technology and equipment to sort more materials from the trash, will support the launch of one of the largest residential co-collection food scrap recycling programs in the country.

Learn more about the R&E Center and food scraps recycling 


Give your feedback on the All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan

All-abilities 2050 transportation plan

As a part of our All-Abilities 2050 Transportation Plan, we are seeking your valuable input on the goals that matter to you and the transportation challenges you face.

Share your thoughts and concerns and explore the interactive wikimap


Popular Annual Financial Report now available

Our Popular Annual Financial Report is part of our ongoing commitment to transparency and sharing how we have used and invested public dollars.

It’s our goal to make our financial information easily accessible to residents, businesses and others in our community.

Explore the 2022 report


Update your information for Medical Assistance renewal

Medical assistance banner

If you are on Medical Assistance, you may need to renew your health insurance. Get prepared by using the Department of Human Services’ new renewal lookup tool to know your renewal month and when to watch the mail for your paperwork.

Yog koj tau Medical Assistance, koj yuav tsum npaj rov thov dua koj daim ntawd kho mob. Yeej meem npaj siv Department of Human Services kev tshawb fawb tshiab kom tau lub hli koj yuav tsum rov thov koj nraim ntawd kho mob dua, raws nws lub hli yuav tau thov dua. Saib ntsoov nej cov ntaub ntawd tuaj rau nej thiaj li tsis nrhau lub caij yuav thov dua.

Si usted recibe Asistencia Médica, puede que necesite renovar su seguro médico. Prepárese para su renovación usando la nueva herramienta del Departamento de Servicios Humanos para saber su mes de renovación y cuando esperar el papeleo.

Hadii aad haysatid Caafimaadka Medical Assistance waxaad Ubaahan doontaa in aad cusboonay siiso. Waaxada adeegyad ada aadanah sida aad u ogaan kartid waqtiga, ama bisha la cusboonay siinaayo.


Add immunizations to your back-to-school list

Life is busy and immunizations can be missed. Find out if your child needs to catch up on shots before they can enroll in childcare, school or afterschool programs in Minnesota.

Visit your doctor or contact the Saint Paul - Ramsey County Public Health Immunization Clinic to make sure your kids are caught up.


Cannabis use legal in Minnesota as of Aug. 1; restrictions in place on county property

As of Aug. 1, Minnesota is the 23rd state in the U.S. where cannabis use by people age 21 and older is legal. While cannabis can be used by people 21 and older on private property, private residences and places with approved licenses or an event permit, our smoking and commercial tobacco use ordinance prohibits smoking of any kind – including cannabis – on any property that is owned, leased, rented, contracted or otherwise used or controlled by Ramsey County.

Learn more about the new law


Commissioner McGuire elected president of national organization

Commissioner McGuire NACo swearing in

Commissioner McGuire (District 2) was elected president of the National Association of Counties (NACo) during the organization's annual conference on July 23. She is also currently serving as president of the Association of Minnesota Counties. 

Photo courtesy of NACo.

Read about her new role for NACo


Gray proclamation banner

Employee awards and proclamation

Citizens Resource Center receives employee achievement award
Read at the July 11 board meeting.

Battle Creek Winter Recreation maintenance team receives employee achievement award
Read at the July 11 board meeting.

Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week
Proclamation read at the July 18 board meeting. 

Communications & Public Relations department receives two Minnesota Association of Government Communicators awards


Calendar icon on teal colored divider bar

Upcoming events

Board of Commissioners Meeting
Tuesdays, Aug. 1, 8, 15 and 22.

Community Conversation: Environmental Service Center
Tuesday, Aug. 1. 

Virtual Community Conversation: Environmental Service Center
Tuesday, Aug. 8. 

Mobile Household Hazardous Waste Collection
Fridays, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Saturdays, Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Foster Care Parent Orientation
Thursday, Aug. 10.

Hodgson Road Open House
Wednesday, Aug. 16.

Successful Employment Training Session
Friday, Aug. 18. 

2024-25 Budget Presentation
Tuesday, Aug. 22. 

Public Health Presents: Ramsey County Food Security Assessment
Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Criminal Expungement Forms Clinic
Thursday, Aug. 24. 


Newspaper icon on blue colored divider bar.

In the news