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New state grants will address the ravages of opioid abuse by expanding treatment capacity and bolstering resources that strengthen communities and prevent opioid addiction.
With the growing presence of fentanyl contributing to an unprecedented number of drug overdose deaths, many Minnesotans need help ? and urgently. The $20.1 million in new grants from the Minnesota Department of Human Services will expand services available to support people suffering from opioid use disorder and make it easier to get help.
The state's Opioid Epidemic Response Advisory Council recommended awards to the 28 grantees, with funding from Minnesota?s opioid epidemic response law.
?Everyone who needs treatment for opioid use disorder deserves access to high-quality, culturally relevant care,? said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. ?This funding will help more Minnesotans get the care they need, while providing key resources to reduce harm and prevent addiction throughout the state.?
The grants support:
- Initiatives that expand and enhance the continuum of care for opioid-related substance use disorders
- Workforce development initiatives and treatment training
- Emerging and innovative strategies for combating the opioid crisis
- Primary prevention and education; secondary prevention and harm reduction; and chronic pain and alternative treatments
- Investments that address gaps in Minnesota?s continuum of care for Native American people and people of color with opioid use disorder, while providing significant prevention and education services to diverse communities.
Resources will go to organizations serving the Twin Cities metropolitan area, Greater Minnesota and Tribal Nations, as well as organizations that provide services statewide.
Learn more in a department news release and the list of 2024 grantees and activities (PDF).?
Governor Tim Walz announced on May 30 that Minnesota is launching the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program to help families purchase food during the summer months.
Summer EBT will provide grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 400,000 children in Minnesota could benefit from the program, bringing in an estimated $100 million in food benefits for families between the summers of 2024 and 2025.
?The end of the school year should not mark the start of food scarcity,? said Governor Walz.?
The program provides families with $120 per eligible school aged child during the summer months to purchase healthy foods with funds placed on EBT cards sent to families at the end of July or beginning of August.?
?Summer can be difficult for families who rely on school meals to help feed their children,? said Assistant Commissioner Tikki Brown. ?Providing additional food support during this time can help alleviate that stress for families and ensure children can stay healthy and focused, setting them up for success all year round."
Many families will be automatically enrolled for Summer EBT if they qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on family income or if they participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Foster Care, or Medical Assistance (MA).
Learn more in a Governor's Office news release and online at mn.gov/dhs/summer-ebt.
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Governor Tim Walz announced on May 14 over $100 million in state grants will be awarded to organizations serving Minnesotans facing homelessness. The money is supporting a number of services including street outreach, shelter, and harm reduction for drug users.
?Housing is one of the most foundational human needs, yet, across the state thousands of people struggle to find and maintain stable housing,? said Governor Walz.
Funds went to 135 organizations in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and Greater Minnesota, reaching people experiencing homelessness in all 87 counties.
?Each Minnesotan who is homeless has their own unique needs,? said Commissioner Jodi Harpstead. ?Awarding grants to a wide variety of organizations helps ensure services will be there to meet the needs.?
About 55% of the grant funds will go to services in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, with the remaining 45% supporting Greater Minnesota.
More details are in a Governor's Office news release.
 Foster families scored big at CHS Field!
The St. Paul Saints Baseball hit it out of the park by hosting Celebrating Foster Families during their game against the Louisville Bats on May 1. Foster families from Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Washington counties received free tickets and awesome prizes, thanks to the Saints!
As May kicks off Foster Care Appreciation and Awareness Month, let's give a huge shoutout to all the amazing families in Minnesota who open their hearts and homes to children who need their support.
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