What’s new for: About DHS

Infant deaths in child care down, more work needed

Action taken by DHS, providers, and local partners to address a dramatic increase in the deaths of infants in child care has helped to stall the alarming trend, according to the 2012 annual report on licensing activities by the DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) (PDF). Infant deaths occurring in child care settings was one of four “emergent issues” identified in the report released April 3. More information is in a news release about the report.

Recommendations inform child safety legislative proposals

Proposals to change child care licensing (PDF) to prevent deaths in child care settings are being considered by legislators this session. The governor's proposals are aimed at improving safe sleep practices, improving and subsidizing training for providers, and improving the quality and consistency of licensing oversight. The proposals came in part from a report, Review of Child Deaths in Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Homes (PDF), which noted an increase in deaths in licensed family child care homes since 2006. Feedback on recommendations to improve child safety was provided by child care providers, parents and others in meetings held in November and December 2012 and is summarized in an online report, Themes from Stakeholders about Recommendations in Child Deaths in Licensed Family Child Care Homes (PDF).

Awards recognize contributions to human services clients

DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson honored seven organizations from across the state Dec. 3 for their outstanding contributions to human services program clients. Jesson said winners in the second annual Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards stand out among the many organizations on the front lines throughout the state providing critical human services programs and promoting healthy and productive communities. More information is in a news release about the awards.

Staff share commitment to performance measurement

Top state leaders recently heard about efforts in the DHS Continuing Care Administration to measure progress toward such policy goals as helping seniors return to their homes after a nursing home stay and helping people with disabilities move to homes of their own. DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson introduced the team to her colleagues at Gov. Mark Dayton’s senior leadership meeting Oct. 9, calling Continuing Care’s work a model for the rest of the agency. More information is in a story about the performance measurements efforts.

2011 County Human Service Cost Report is available online

The annual Minnesota County Human Service Cost Report for Calendar Year 2011 (PDF) is available on DHS’ public website. The report, compiled by the Financial Operations Division, contains statewide and county-specific costs and revenue shares for economic support, health and social service programs. The report combines county fiscal activity, DHS centralized activity for counties, federal and state payments; and computation of the county funded share — it is the big picture of Minnesota’s county-administered, state supervised human services system. Narrative descriptions and notes, a graphic overview, trend data and per-capita comparative data are included.

DHS dashboard on public website

DHS has a dashboard where the public can go for information on the agency’s performance in key areas. It is designed to be a visitor-friendly tool where Minnesotans can see the department’s goals in different areas, where it is on track to meet those goals and where more work is needed.

Self-sufficiency and health care statistics report is online

The Family Self-Sufficiency and Health Care Program Statistics available through March 2013 (PDF) report is available online. The report, compiled by the Reports and Forecasts Division, includes caseload numbers and expenditures for cash, emergency and food assistance programs and health care programs.

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