Monthly news digest from the Department of Human Services



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



NEWS FROM DHS



*March 2024*




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





In this issue:

* Governor's supplemental budget proposal includes investments for children [ #link_3 ]
* First-time grants will help connect new Americans with long-term care careers [ #link_4 ]
* In social media: Help with health care renewals [ #link_5 ]
* Nominations for 2024 Outstanding Refugee Awards due March 31 [ #link_1 ]
* Fact sheets updated [ #link_2 ]
* In the news [ #link_6 ]

________________________________________________________________________





Governor's supplemental budget proposal includes investments for children

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan released a one-page supplemental budget proposal on March 18. The budget addresses pressing statewide needs, including rural emergency medical services, water quality, and child welfare.

?Last year, we took historic steps to make Minnesota the best state in the nation for families. This year, we?re focused on putting that work into action while maintaining a responsible, balanced budget,? said Governor Walz. ?From rural ambulance services to water quality infrastructure, we are addressing some of our most pressing statewide needs and delivering on core government services.?

?This supplemental budget invests in the core services that ensure Minnesotans can live safer, healthier, better lives. That includes continuing to build on our historic investments in child care,? said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. ?By strengthening our child welfare system and adding pre-kindergarten seats, we?re making smart investments that will make Minnesota the best state for kids and families.?

The 2024 supplemental budget makes investments in child protection, including funding to improve and modernize the state?s child welfare and social services reporting system so child welfare workers have more time to spend with children and families.

In addition, the supplemental budget provides an additional 2,200 voluntary pre-K seats to prepare children for success and enhance their pre-reading, pre-math, language, and social skills.

Learn about all the supplemental proposals in a Governor's Office news release [ [link removed] ] and on the Minnesota Management and Budget website [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________



First-time grants will help connect new Americans with long-term care careers

Minnesota is taking an innovative approach to support new Americans to develop careers in the long-term care workforce.

The state will offer grants to organizations to support new Americans to get and keep jobs and grow careers in long-term care. Applications for the first round of grants opened March 19 and will be accepted up to May 6.

With a workforce shortage impacting care providers across Minnesota, the grants will simplify the path to long-term care careers for people born outside the U.S. regardless of their immigration status.

?These grants bring together a great opportunity with a tremendous human resource,? said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. ?We?re grateful the Legislature and Governor Walz created this tool to help new Americans while addressing one of our major workforce challenges.?

Grants will go to organizations that can connect new Americans with employment, help them navigate language and cultural barriers, and provide supportive services like training and licensing. Funds will also support career enhancement and growth, including services like transportation and child care supports.

DHS will announce the grant awards later this year.

________________________________________________________________________



In social media: Help with health care renewals
Help with health care renewals

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

">> Follow our DHS Careers Facebook page [ [link removed] ] for announcements of hiring events, job postings, internships and more."

________________________________________________________________________



Accessible formats

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




Nominations for 2024 Outstanding Refugee Awards due March 31

Every year DHS honors local leaders and citizens with Outstanding Refugee Awards to recognize former refugees who are making Minnesota a better place for us all.

The Outstanding Refugee Awards [ [link removed] ] are a way to recognize neighbors, coworkers, employees and friends who, as former refugees, are showing leadership in small and large ways to improve our communities.

We are accepting nominations for this year's awards through March 31.

Nominate individuals [ [link removed] ] in one of four categories:


* Entrepreneurship
* Civic Leadership
* Young Leader
* New Arrival

________________________________________________________________________



Fact sheets updated

Electronic Benefit Transfer (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

Facts about Minnesota Family Investment Program (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

History of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training program (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________


newspaper beside a coffee cup
In the news

*Addressing Problem Gambling Requires a Whole Person Approach: *it?s essential for people who struggle with gambling to have access to high-quality, culturally relevant mental health care.?In some cases, problem gambling itself is the cause of anxiety and depression. But many times, problem gambling is a manifestation of underlying mental health issues. This is why integrated health care is so important.?Learn more in a Phoenix Spirit article [ [link removed] ] by Kristine Preston, deputy assistant commissioner in the DHS Behavioral Health Division.

*When ?accessible? isn?t enough: *DHS Assistant Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services Natasha Merz joined two disability advocates to discuss accessibility gaps that still exist here in Minnesota ? whether it?s physical access, technology or services. Learn more in a recent MPR News with Angela Davis [ [link removed] ] episode.

*Half of all Minnesota public school students can access free mental health care. Here?s how, and how it?s saving lives. *Health officials want families to know that students can access mental-health services at school, whether or not they can pay. In-school mental health looks different from district to district, and even from school to school. And high demand can lead to long waiting times. But state grants ensure that over 1,000 Minnesota public schools provide therapy in their buildings. Learn more in a Sahan Journal article [ [link removed] ].

________________________________________________________________________










Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page [ [link removed] ].

Stay connected

Minnesota Department of Human Services [ [link removed] ]

Facebook [ [link removed] ]? Twitter [ [link removed] ]?Youtube [ [link removed] ]?LinkedIn [ [link removed] ]?Govdelivery [ [link removed] ]

*Subscriber services:*
Manage subscriptions [ [link removed] ]?|??Help [ [link removed] ]

________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Minnesota Department of Human Services ? 540 Cedar St.?? Saint Paul, MN 55101 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;}