Seeking Applicants: Human Services Performance Council

Performance management is the bedrock of good government. Measuring performance in the delivery of Minnesota’s human services allows us to understand what services are succeeding and which need strategic continuous improvement efforts to better serve our communities.

Qualified volunteer candidates are being sought for the Human Services Performance Council (Performance Council). Established in 2013 in accordance with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 402A, the Performance Council advises the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services on the operation and ongoing development of the Human Services Performance Management (Performance Management) system.

Apply

Submit Council applications through the Secretary of State website, https://commissionsandappointments.sos.state.mn.us/Agency/Details/227.

About the Performance Management system

The Performance Management system was created in response to counties’ desire be proactive in improving service delivery and outcomes for human services program recipients. The focus of the Performance Management system is improvement across all mandated essential human services in Minnesota. The system encourages collaboration between counties and DHS, and supports counties in their efforts take a proactive approach to continuous improvement of service delivery. The system provides an opportunity to work toward outcomes desired for all Minnesotans:

• People have access to health care and receive effective services.
• People are economically secure.
• Children have the opportunity to develop their fullest potential.
• Children have stability in their living situation.
• Adults and children are safe and secure.
• Adults live with dignity, autonomy and choice.

Performance Management Key Initiatives

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Key Performance Management priorities

Key priorities for the Human Services Performance Management system in 2024:

• Build the capacity of the Human Services system to identify system barriers and provide improvement assistance.
• Continuing collaboration with DHS programs to expand the Performance Management System measures.
• Focus on building capacity within the Human Service Performance Management system to promote equity throughout the human services system.

Performance Council responsibilities

Performance Council duties include:

• Meet at least quarterly.
• Review the performance data submitted by counties or service delivery authorities annually.
• Review and advise the commissioner on procedures related the Performance Management system, system process requirements and barriers improvement in human services delivery.
• Advise the commissioner on the training and technical assistance needs of county or service delivery authority and department personnel.
• Review instances in which a county or service delivery authority has not made adequate progress on a performance improvement plan and make recommendations the commissioner.
• Consider appeals from counties or service delivery authorities that are in the remedies process and make recommendations the commissioner on resolving the issue.
• Convene working groups to update the performance management system and present these recommendations to the commissioner annually
• Make recommendations on human services administrative rules or statutes that could be repealed or amended to improve service delivery.
• Provide information to stakeholders on the council's role and regularly collect stakeholder input on performance management system performance.
• Submit an annual report to the legislature and the commissioner.

Applicant experience

Applicants to the Performance Council members should possess one or more of the following qualities:

• Current or previous leadership experience.
• Experience working to advance equity.
• Knowledge of or experience with one or more of the following essential human services programs:
  • Adult disability
  • Adult protection
  • Adult mental health
  • Adult services such as long-term care
  • Chemical dependency
  • Child support
  • Children’s disability services
  • Children’s mental health
  • Child welfare, including protection, truancy, minor parent, guardianship and adoption
  • Minnesota Family Investment Program
  • Public assistance eligibility
• Past or present management of programs in the focus area.
• Knowledge of performance measurement, evaluation or performance management.