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Publications

The Minnesota Department of Human Services produces bulletins, fact sheets and other publications on a wide variety of human services issues.

You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, print, and save some of these publications which are in the Portable Document Format (PDF) and shown with the PDF icon. For more information see the DHS PDF page.

Disproportional representation studied

In response to continuing concern about disproportional representation of children by race and ethnicity in the public child welfare system, the Minnesota Department of Human Services collected and analyzed four years of data (2005-2008) about how children are faring and issued a report, “Minnesota Child Welfare Disparities Report,” (PDF) in February 2010. The report identifies areas where progress has been made and areas where disproportional representation persists. Collaboration and community-led supports are seen as essential to future progress in overcoming disparities.

Report examines challenges and success of children with disabilities

Improving the overall experience for children with disabilities and special health care needs is the focus of the report, “Children with Disabilities Involved in the Child Welfare Continuum.” (PDF).This population receives services from various professionals and entities, some of which are involved in collaborative efforts, while many are not. The report specifically looks at data in reference to age, disability type, county, gender, race/ethnicity, child protection response path, child maltreatment determinations and the number of disabilities the child has.

Mandated reporter training now available

Minnesota law requires workers in a number of professions, including health care, social service, psychological treatment, child care, education, corrections, law enforcement and clergy, to report suspected child maltreatment. To help mandated reporters better understand the law and reporting requirements, An Interactive Informational Guide for Mandated Reporting is now available. This comprehensive training is organized in six modules: an overview of Minnesota’s child protection system, the intersection of poverty and neglect and a discussion of racial disparities, the basics of mandated reporting, physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The training is flexible, allowing users to navigate to any module at any time. After downloading the file, users are advised that if the navigation toolbar does not display at the bottom of the screen, to reduce the computer’s task bar. Using the mouse, place the cursor on the top edge of the task bar until a double-headed arrow appears. Then drag downwards to collapse the toolbar and a navigation toolbar for the presentation will become visible. Visually impaired users can obtain the same information in this text-only document (PDF).