February 2024

News from DHS archive

Registration open for new webinars on youth behavioral health

DHS is partnering with the Training Institute at People Incorporated to provide new trainings that address youth behavioral health and managing challenging behaviors. 

Registration is open for upcoming sessions exploring topics related to effective care for youth experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Follow the links to learn more and register:

• March webinars for foster parents and caregivers
• March webinars for school-based mental health and substance use disorder professionals
• March webinars for hospital staff

If a particular session is full, interested parties may sign up for the session waiting list.

Trainings will run throughout 2024 and 2025 and will be offered live, as well as recorded for later viewing.

Funds still available for traditional PCA stipends

Traditional PCA workers can still sign up for one free training session that may qualify them for a stipend and fulfill a requirement toward an enhanced rate for PCA services they provide to eligible people.

After completing all required training courses, which are also free, participants who meet income qualifications can get a one-time $500 stipend. To access the trainings and learn about eligibility, go to Direct support workers (DSW) training benefits.

If you cannot complete the required trainings because English is not your primary language, apply for an enhanced rate exception. To do this, create a profile at DSW training benefits, and have someone email the program administrator (in English) to explain your language needs.

The Minnesota State Legislature created the PCA training stipends to help attract new direct care workers and keep current employees who provide services to people with disabilities and older adults.

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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.

Nominations open for 2024 Outstanding Refugee Awards

In the news

See a circle in blue? Time to renew. The Star Tribune editorial board wrote this month about the importance of enrollees returning paperwork to renew their Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare coverage. 

Many Minnesotans with disabilities earn far less than minimum wage. A push for equal pay continues. As the legislative session gets underway, some advocates now suggest ending subminimum pay for people with disabilities in 2028. Heidi Hamilton, DHS director of disability services, says many providers want to be ahead of the curve. Minnesota has added grant dollars to help employers move away from the decades-old practice of paying people subminimum wage to work in centers, often called sheltered workshops. Learn more in a Star Tribune article.

Crisis nurseries ready to help support parents in tight spot: When in need, a single mom turned to the Mankato Area Crisis Nursery, a free emergency child care program through Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. The program connected her to short-term child care by licensed providers while she searched for a lasting arrangement. Learn more about how crisis nurseries fill an important need in an MPR article.