Reporter’s Guide to DHS
Overview
The Reporter’s Guide to DHS is a list of human services programs and issues. If you have questions about these topics, please contact the media relations staff person listed. You may also contact Sarah Berg, interim communications director, 651-431-4901.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families launched July 2024. Reporters seeking information about topics such as child safety and permanency, child care, child support and economic assistance programs to help families and individuals transition to work and economic stability, should contact Spenser Bickett, 651-468-6238, at the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
DHS program and issues by topic:
Aging issues
DHS, counties, and Area Agencies on Aging develop resources such as adult foster care, adult protection, caregiver support and in-home services for older Minnesotans and adults with special needs. DHS also is among state agencies and others discussing how Minnesota can prepare for a growing aging population.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Budget information
For general agency-wide information on the budget, including statistics and forecasts:
Sarah Berg — 651-431-4901 or sarah.berg@state.mn.us
For budget information on a specific topic, contact the staff person designated for that topic.
Civil commitment
State-operated treatment programs primarily serve individuals who are court-ordered to treatment through a civil, not criminal, court process. In Minnesota, individuals can be civilly committed as mentally ill, mentally ill and dangerous, chemically dependent or developmentally disabled. Individuals civilly committed as sexually dangerous persons or sexually psychopathic personalities are treated in DHS’ Minnesota Sex Offender Program.
Christopher Sprung — 651-431-4892 or christopher.sprung@state.mn.us
Deaf and hard of hearing services
DHS helps Minnesotans who are deaf or hard of hearing access services to live independently. Several offices statewide provide direct services, adaptive equipment demonstration labs, information, and referral and distribution of specialized telephone equipment.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Disabilities
DHS plans, develops and evaluates community-based services for people with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities and chronic medical conditions. Community-based services include home care, residential and work-related services.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Fraud
The Office of the Inspector General oversees fraud prevention and recovery efforts for DHS programs, including health care, cash assistance, child care and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Sarah Berg — 651-387-4976 or mailto:sarah.berg@state.mn.us
Health care
Two publicly funded health care programs — Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare — serve low-income Minnesotans.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
HIV/AIDS
DHS helps people with HIV or AIDS access health care through its insurance, drug reimbursement, dental, nutrition and case management programs.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Homeless youth
Through grants to community social service agencies, DHS provides services, including emergency and transitional housing, for homeless youth.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Licensing
DHS licenses programs for children and vulnerable adults, including child care centers, family child care (via counties), foster care, adoption agencies, and services for people with developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and mental illness. DHS also investigates maltreatment allegations and conducts background studies of staff in these programs.
Sarah Berg — 651-387-4976 or mailto:sarah.berg@state.mn.us
Medical Assistance (MA)/ Medicaid
Medical Assistance, Minnesota’s Medicaid program, pays for health care for low-income older adults, children and families, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Mental health
DHS works with counties, mental health providers and others to provide adults and children with an array of mental health services.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
MinnesotaCare
MinnesotaCare is a publicly subsidized program that serves people who do not have access to affordable health care coverage. Enrollees pay premiums based on their income and family size.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Nursing homes
DHS provides policy development, program administration and rate setting for nursing facility services for older Minnesotans.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Personal care assistance program
The personal care assistance (PCA) program provides services to people eligible for Medical Assistance who need help with day-to-day activities in their home and community. Personal care assistants are not required to have a state license; however, some agencies that provide PCA services are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. PCAs must pass criminal background studies performed by DHS.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Refugee resettlement services
DHS administers services that help refugees make the transition to life in the United States through job search and training, language skills development and financial assistance.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
Sex offenders
DHS operates the Minnesota Sex Offender Program, which provides treatment in a secure setting for individuals civilly committed as sexually dangerous persons or sexual psychopathic personalities.
Christopher Sprung — 651-431-4892 or christopher.sprung@state.mn.us
State-operated treatment programs
DHS’ Direct Care and Treatment programs provide direct services to people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and traumatic brain injuries. Because of the complex conditions of the people we serve, facilities include several psychiatric hospitals, secure residential treatment facilities, dental clinics and group homes. Our larger and more well-known programs include the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center in Anoka, Forensic Services (also known as the Minnesota Security Hospital) in St. Peter, and the Minnesota Sex Offender Program in Moose Lake.
Christopher Sprung — 651-431-4892 or christopher.sprung@state.mn.us
Substance Use Disorder
DHS is designated in statute as the state authority on drug and alcohol abuse. The agency plans and evaluates programs and administers funding.
Scott Peterson — 651-431-4936 or scott.peterson@state.mn.us
For accessible formats of this publication or assistance with equal access to human services, write to dhs.info@state.mn.us, call 651-431-2911 or use your preferred relay service.