Child Wellbeing Update - February 2019

Key Highlights This Month:  

• MACSSA/DHS CP Fiscal workgroup met on 2/7/19.  See minutes from the meeting attached.  Of note, the CP Fiscal workgroup was asked to review the African American Family Preservation Act and provide an analysis of the potential impact to county staff and resources.
• MACSSA/DHS Legislative workgroup met on 2/8/19.  Minutes attached.  DHS was not able to offer detail about proposals at this point because they are awaiting budget and policy decisions by the Governor. 
• Educational Stability-Jamie Halpern (Hennepin) and Amy Shillabeer (Olmsted) continue to work on options for either a continuation of the pilot or a permanent funding solution.  Amy and a representative from Rochester Public Schools met with Senator Carla Nelson who is supportive and currently bill language is being drafted with an initial hope of securing a permanent funding solution.
•  The African American Family Preservation Act (see attached) has recently been introduced in both the House and Senate.  Members of the CP Fiscal Group are trying to determine the potential fiscal impacts to counties.  The current plan is to reach out to counties with a higher number of ICWA related cases and ask for an estimate of increased staff time and services for cases requiring active efforts to assist in our effort.  We hope to gather some information from Hennepin, Beltrami, Ramsey, St. Louis, and Mille Lacs Counties. 
• MACSSA/DHS Child Well Being Group met on 2/13/19.  See minutes attached. 

Requested Actions Needed From MACSSA:  
The CWB workgroup is interested in adding to the list of content experts, particularly there is a need in the area of children’s behavioral health.  If interested, please contact Amy or Jodi.

New Trends in This Area:  

Issues/Concerns Regarding This Topic:  

Legislative Impacts:  

Supporting Materials:  

MACSSA-DHS Leg Meeting Notes
CP Fiscal Meeting Notes
HF0342-0
MACSSA CWB Team and DHS Phone Consult Agenda

Contact(s):  

Amy Shillabeer
Jodi Heurung