Monthly news digest from the Department of Human Services



Minnesota Department of Human Services logo [ [link removed] ]



NEWS FROM DHS



*November 2024*




*News from DHS archive [ [link removed] ]*





In this issue:

* Governor Walz announces $6 million to help aging Minnesotans stay in their homes [ #link_3 ]
* New Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration at DHS [ #link_4 ]
* In social media: Protect your benefits [ #link_5 ]
* Upcoming webinars on youth behavioral health [ #link_2 ]
* In the news [ #link_6 ]

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Governor Walz announces $6 million to help aging Minnesotans stay in their homes

Stock photo of elderly person at home with caregiver

Governor Tim Walz announced this month over $6 million in new state grants to keep Minnesotans in their homes as they age.

The Live Well at Home grants will support more than 30 organizations, funding services such as retrofitting residences to make them age-friendly and providing support for caregivers.

“Living at home provides people with identity, comfort, and community,” said Governor Walz. “As so many families know, the choice to move, or have a family member move, to a nursing home can be an extremely difficult one. These grants are helping older adults maintain their independence and significantly improve quality of life for Minnesotans as they age.”

Most people prefer staying in their homes and research shows when they’re able to stay longer they are happier and have better health outcomes compared to people entering institutionalized care like nursing homes or assisted living facilities.

“These grants support what most people want,” said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. “It’s a cost-effective investment in their health and happiness.” 

DHS will oversee the grants.

A complete list of grantees is in the Governor's Office news release [ [link removed] ].



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New Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration at DHS

Eric Grumdahl

DHS is excited to announce the launch of the Homelessness, Housing and Support Services Administration (HHSSA) [ [link removed] ], led by Assistant Commissioner Eric Grumdahl.

This new administration is dedicated to enhancing the state’s efforts in addressing homelessness, uniting a diverse array of housing assistance programs, income support initiatives, and grant programs designed to bolster emergency shelters and provide essential support to those in need.

The administration will play a crucial role in shaping policy and grant-making efforts for all adults and youth experiencing homelessness across the state. Additionally, it will oversee adult income support services, ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the assistance they need. The administration will also oversee behavioral health grant programs that are tied to housing stability.

To help partners navigate the programs and services offered by this administration, DHS invites them to explore this new HHSSA overview (PDF) [ [link removed] ], which provides key contacts for program areas.

For more information, visit the DHS housing webpage [ [link removed] ].



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In social media: Protect your benefits
Protect your benefits social post

">> Follow DHS on X (formerly Twitter) [ [link removed] ] and Facebook [ [link removed] ] f"or timely updates on DHS news and events.""

">> For announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more, follow us on LinkedIn [ [link removed] ] and the "DHS Careers Facebook page [ [link removed] ].""

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Accessible formats

For accessible formats of this publication, write to [email protected], or call 651-431-2000 or use your preferred relay service.




Upcoming webinars on youth behavioral health

DHS is offering free webinars on effective care to address youth behavioral health needs. Registration is open for the following classes.

*Foster parents, parents and caregivers:*


* 12/4: Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions and Presentations [ [link removed] ]

*School-based providers:*


* 12/10: General Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions and Presentations [ [link removed] ]

*Hospital staff:*


* 12/3: Suicide Risk Assessment [ [link removed] ]
* 12/6: General Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions and Presentations [ [link removed] ] 

DHS is partnering with the Training Institute at People Incorporated to provide the trainings. The course content has been revised to incorporate attendee feedback with a focus on post-pandemic behavioral health challenges.

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In the news
newspaper beside a coffee cup

*Leech Lake receives Circle of Excellence Award for working to simplify grant process: *After collaborating with DHS to simplify and streamline its grant contract process, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe was presented a Commissioner's Circle of Excellence Award this month. Learn more in a Bemidji Pioneer article [ [link removed] ].

*Understanding Medicaid, Medicare and health disparities: *In a recent Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder Health Podcast [ [link removed] ] sponsored by DHS, host James L. Stroud, Jr. sits down with Minnesota's Medicaid Medical Director Dr. Nathan Chomilo and Pastor Melvin Miller of Progressive Baptist Church to provide insights on Medicaid and Medicare, as well as ongoing efforts to close health equity gaps. 

*Supporting your independence and choices with health insurance: *Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about what is important to them. No matter what your goals are, having health insurance can support your independence and choices. Learn more about coverage for people with disabilities in an Access Press article [ [link removed] ] sponsored by DHS.

*Más vale prevenir (Prevention is better):* Sabemos que más vale prevenir que curar. En el auto, a ponerse el cinturón de seguridad. Al salir en bicicleta, ¡con casco! Y en caso de enfermedad o accidente: ¡seguro médico! Porque la cobertura de salud no solo te cuida la salud física, sino también la financiera. Aprende más en un Latino American Today artículo [ [link removed] ].

*12 states promised to open the books on their opioid settlement funds. We checked up on them: *Seven of the states in this analysis - including Minnesota - reported 100% of their expenditures in a way that is easy for the public to find and understand. Learn more in a KFF Health News article [ [link removed] ] and on Minnesota's Opioid Epidemic Response Spending Dashboard [ [link removed] ]. 

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