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Terms/policy

Warning about email

Information that is transmitted by email over the Internet is not secure and can be intercepted and read by other Internet users. The Department of Human Services recommends that you do not use email to send us private or confidential data about yourself or others unless it has been encoded or encrypted. In addition, the department will not use email to transmit responses that contain private or confidential data on an individual unless it can ensure the security and integrity of the information or it has the individual’s consent to transmit such unsecured data.

Official records

Materials on the Department of Human Services’ website are designed to provide useful information to the public, but are not intended to be definitive, official documents of department policy. If there are differences between the website version of a document and the hard copy version in the department’s Central Office files, the hard copy version should be considered the correct one. Official documents of the department are maintained at the agency’s Central Office. Information about contacting DHS is available online.

Records retention

County human services general records retention schedule (PDF)

Links to other websites

The Department of Human Services’ website provides links to other websites as a convenience to its users. The use of these links is not an endorsement as to the accuracy, completeness, usefulness or adequacy of those sites.

The department’s website is not intended to be a comprehensive collection of all related sites on the Internet. The sites referenced on the department’s website are only a few of the many possible Internet sites related to the department’s programs or to human services in general.

Links to the DHS website

All of the information and documents on the DHS website are in the public domain. A website seeking to link to a DHS document should not host the document on its site but should link directly to the document. DHS documents, including forms and brochures, change frequently. More information about eDocs, DHS' online document repository, is online. Any website that links to the DHS website should not imply that the state of Minnesota is endorsing any product or service.

Accessibility

The Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website is maintained by department staff. This website is designed to offer Minnesota citizens and businesses easy and efficient access to state government resources. The department appreciates that many visitors to the department's website are concerned about accessibility to digital government. DHS makes every effort to have its website meet the state of Minnesota technology accessibility standard. The information in this website is available in other formats to people with disabilities by contacting the DHS Communications Office. This information is available in accessible formats for people with disabilities by calling 651-431-2911 or by using your preferred relay service. For other information on disability rights and protections, contact the agency’s ADA coordinator.

Legal advice

The Department of Human Services’ website is intended as a resource and guide for the public. It is not a source of definitive legal advice about specific legal problems.

Developmental disabilities terminology disclaimer

The terminology used to describe people with developmental disabilities has changed over time. While DHS supports the use of “people first” language within its documents, certain outdated terms may still be found within historical and official documents, such as statutes and reports, and other documents created by third parties.

Notice about News from DHS

News from DHS is a monthly compilation of news items from the Minnesota Department of Human Services website that is emailed as a service to those who subscribe through the DHS Communications Office. News items in News from DHS are not considered official notices but are provided as a courtesy for subscribers. Signing up for News from DHS does not affect any business relationship you might have with DHS. Although DHS will not market or sell the list of businesses that subscribe or their email addresses, this information may be subject to disclosure in response to a Data Practices Act (opens records) request or as otherwise required by state or federal law.

Data privacy

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is dedicated to preserving your privacy and security while viewing the DHS website at http://mn.gov/dhs. The department strives to retrieve the minimum amount of information necessary from its website visitors in order to provide a host of various services and resources. The department does not capture personal information without visitors' permission.

Anonymous visitor information collection

For every visitor to the DHS site, there are several common pieces of information that the department does collect that are stored in logs. Internet Protocol (IP) address, browser type, operating system, the date and time of the visit and the addresses to which a visitor linked during a visit to the DHS website are all recorded. DHS cannot and does not associate any of this information with individuals, distribute this information or use it in any manner other than for statistical analysis in improving the department’s site to better serve DHS website visitors.

Use of cookies

DHS does not use cookies to record any personal information. Cookies are used only to track if you are a first-time visitor to the department’s website or if you have visited the DHS website in the past.

Disclosure of information

The department does not sell, rent or publish any of the DHS website visitors' personal or private information. The department does not reveal specific information about subscribers or other personally identifiable data to unaffiliated third parties for their independent use. In addition, DHS endeavors to restrict employee access to any personal information except where necessary to perform required duties.

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