About us
Community Empowerment Sessions
Community Empowerment Sessions are action-oriented community conversations, designed to build authentic relationships and facilitate the process of co-creating solutions in partnership with the people we serve.
By providing information and encouraging community members to share their experiences, DHS can partner with communities to identify barriers and create opportunities to better inform DHS policies and programs.
These sessions are a new community engagement tool to give community members a channel for two-way communication with DHS. We will provide opportunities for community members to give input on their most important topics and issues, and share back with the community what we heard and what actions have been taken through the LoopBack podcast.
Past sessions
A Community Empowerment Session focused on “Community Healing” was held virtually via Webex on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
In this session, community members discussed how behavioral health services can be more responsive to communities, and reflective and respectful of people's cultures, languages, and experiences. DHS staff shared information on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) standards and culturally responsive behavioral health service opportunities at DHS, and facilitated conversations grounded in building authentic relationships based on trust, mutual respect, and acknowledgement of each person’s and community’s added value to developing solutions.
Listen to episode 3 of the LoopBack podcast to hear more from leaders representing the African American and faith-based communities in the Twin Cities Metro Area about the work they are doing to lead healing and community wellness initiatives in their communities.
The LoopBack podcast
The LoopBack podcast
The LoopBack podcast features responses to previous Community Empowerment Sessions and other engagements. Each episode includes an update on what DHS has done or is doing to collaborate with community members and partners. Subscribe for new episodes airing monthly.
Session Outcomes
Information, resources and responses to previous Community Empowerment Sessions.
Dec. 1, 2021: The Legislative Budget and How it Impacts Your Community
The first Community Empowerment Session was held virtually on Dec. 1, 2021 and centered on the legislative budget and how it impacts our communities. DHS legislative staff and equity directors, who lead equity initiatives at the agency, shared information on the legislative budget with community members from across Minnesota, including the budget amounts and outcomes of the 2021 legislative session that affected DHS programs and services in Health Care, Children and Family Services, Community Supports, and Direct Care and Treatment. Participants joined breakout rooms specific to each of these program areas to discuss how legislation impacts their communities, and to bring forward issues of concern.
Session resources: Legislative fact sheet, PowerPoint presentation, Session responses and resources
Sessions outcomes: Meeting facilitators heard many different topics and issues impacting you and your communities. The Community Relations team will host future Community Empowerment Sessions in response to community areas of interest, including:
- Creating culturally responsive services
- Mental health services for children
- Defining and addressing "health disparities"
- Coping with ongoing crisis and trauma
- Stable and affordable housing
- Improving access to and independence navigating DHS programs and services
- State Childcare licensing questions
- Addressing disparities in the foster care system
May 11, 2022: A focus on community healing
In this session, community members gathered to discuss how DHS Mental Health and Substance Use services and programs can be more responsive to communities, and reflective and respectful of people's cultures, languages, and experiences. DHS staff shared information on the National Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Service (CLAS) Standards which aim to improve quality of care and help eliminate health care disparities. Attendees participated in small group discussions on what culturally responsive behavioral health services look like to their communities.
Session resources: Presentation slides
Session outcomes: