What’s new
CountyLink renamed PartnerLink to foster inclusivity, stronger relationships with Tribal Nations
Driven by partner feedback and a commitment and responsibility to foster relationships with Tribal Nations and American Indian agencies that share geography with Minnesota, the DHS CountyLink website has been renamed PartnerLink. This change emerged from extensive discussions, stakeholder feedback and a dedicated effort to foster inclusivity. The online collection of reference materials allows the department to communicate business information to county and Tribal workers who administer human services programs; those workers also use the site to send questions to department staff. Read more: http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/whats-new/index.jsp?id=1053-599868
Recipients warned about potential SNAP/Food Stamp scam
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been notified by the Food and Nutrition Service about a potential SNAP/Food Stamp scam at the website Food-Stamps.com. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is looking in to the matter. For ongoing SNAP scam alerts, see: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/scam-alerts
Elderly Waiver brochure available
Helping to move family or friends into assisted living can be a complicated, even emotional process. Sometimes financial commitments are made without the right information in hand. A new six-page brochure, Elderly Waiver services in assisted living: What you need to know DHS-7935 (PDF), is a guide for people considering moving to or already living in assisted living.
Counties, tribal nations, managed care organizations, assisted living providers, and others who work with older adults and their families are encouraged to share this information widely. Preprinted copies can be ordered through the DHS’ Bulk Ordering site.
Training available for MMIS users who work with aging, disability waivers
DHS has posted training modules for lead agency staff who use the Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) to view or enter data in the Long-Term Care (LTC) Screening Document DHS-3427 (PDF) and the Service Agreement DHS-3070 (PDF). The training will benefit staff who support people 65 and older who receive services through aging and disability waivers. Find training on TrainLink under the Older Adult Programs Learning Center. See the MMIS online training on the Aging: training and conferences webpage for a list of the sessions and how to navigate in the learning center.
Training on mental health challenges of adopted children available
Minnesota county, tribal and private mental health practitioners are invited to participate in a new web-based training initiative on the unique mental health challenges of children adopted from foster care. Pilot testing of the National Adoption Mental Health Training Initiative begins in March. The course is intended to equip mental health practitioners with tools to better assess and help adoptive families. Minnesota is one of nine pilot sites for the training. Those interested can sign up for more information about the training on the Center for Adoption Support and Education website.
Video details options for mothers, fathers for establishing parentage
Many parents don’t know their options or understand the benefits of determining parentage when their child is born. The Minnesota Department of Human Services created a new video, “Establishing Parentage — What Every Mother and Father Should Know,” to help new, unmarried parents decide how they want to establish parentage and understand the benefits. The video focuses on two ways to establish parents, signing the Recognition of Parentage form or genetic testing. The video also covers related subjects, such as child support, custody and parenting time. DHS translated the eight-minute video into four languages. More information is available on the recognition of parentage page.
DHS interpreter poster features 15 languages
Minnesotans are speaking more languages, which is why DHS’ interpreter poster (PDF) (DHS-4739-ENG) has recently been updated. The new poster features six new languages: Amharic, Burmese, Cantonese/Traditional Chinese, French, Karen and Korean. These languages are in addition to the previous languages, which are: Arabic, Hmong, Cambodian/Khmer, Lao, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. More information is in a story about the interpreter poster.
'Follow' DHS page on Facebook
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has a departmentwide Facebook page that will feature a variety of content helping to share the DHS mission. DHS invites Facebook users to share constructive ideas, information, opinions and stories. Social media guidelines and links to all official DHS social media accounts can be found in the social media statement.
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