The Results / Benefits

LSS ADOPTION SERVICES

LSS Adoption Services offer comprehensive, statewide adoption services from offices in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Duluth, St. Cloud, Moorhead and Mankato.  Services include pregnancy counseling, international, domestic and special needs adoptions as well as post-adoption services.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
International adoptions	48	30	53
Domestic placements	47	38	53
Special Needs placement	38	21	35
Post-Adoption – clients served	889	644	672
Pregnancy Counseling – clients served	65	71	87
Total Budget for Adoption Services	$1,293,248	$994,952	$1,415,000

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.  

 

LSS Customized Living Services

LSS offers assisted living services in two ways.  One is through residences that LSS owns, each of which serves as a home to six frail seniors; the other is by providing the same services to elderly who are living in their own apartments.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Individuals served	146	292	288
Sites providing service	15	24	23
Days of care for 5 homes	20,602	14,941	13,642
Individuals served via Healthy Living Service			698
Total Budget for Assisted Living Services	$2,375,025	$2,401,294	$3,367,700

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003. 

 

LSS CAMP KNUTSON

LSS Camp Knutson provides camping and outdoor experiences to children and families with special needs.  The Camp works in partnership with organizations that serve individuals with specific needs:  autism, deafness, developmental disabilities, Down’s syndrome, HIV-AIDS, severe skin diseases.  The basic services common to all camps include food service, recreational programs, health services and sleeping accommodations.  During off-camp periods, the facilities are rented to outside groups for retreats, conferences or training sessions.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Campers with special needs	642	648	671
Participants in camp activities	893	1003	1,027
Total camper days	5,123	5185	6,767
Retreat groups	31	20	35
Individuals in retreat groups	612	502	840
Retreat days	1,309	954	1,340
Total Budget for Camp Knutson	$613,329	$498,152	$614,150

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.  

 

LSS COUNSELING AND FAMILY RESOURCES

Four services comprise this line of service.

1. Office-Based Counseling provides individual, family and partner group therapy as psychiatric assessments using a multidisciplinary staff of psychologists and clinical social workers.

2. Family-Based Services use mental health practitioners and professionals to provide parent and family education, skills training, home-based mental health counseling, and resource and referral services to families at risk of having a child placed outside of the home (foster care).

3. Treatment Foster Care provides specially-trained foster parents for children and adolescents who are at risk of long-term out-of-home placement.

4. LifeWorks Employee Resource offers an employee assistance program to employers who include family and counseling services in their employee benefits packages.

			2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Office-Based Counseling:	Intakes		5,976	3,254	4,502
	Hours billed		31,505	24,961	32.655
Family-Based Services	Persons served		1,401	1,479	1,471
	Hours of service		37,979	25,707	32,920
Treatment Foster Care:	Clients served		161	134	166
	Days of care		22,665	14,377	21,500
	Hours billed		8,968	8,614	11,434
LifeWorks Employee Resource:		Number of contracts	66	63	60
	Covered employees / members		61,103	62,029	59,150
	Annual fixed contract amounts		317,204	Open	Open
Total Budget for Counseling and Family Resources			$8,067,553	$6,180,018	$7,530,000

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.  

 

LSS DISASTER SERVICES

When local or national disasters strike, LSS may respond in various ways. One is by providing first response following disasters, on-site services to those affected and to those who are caring for persons directly affected by disasters.  hese services are provided in concert with congregations, local communities and government agencies.  In partnership with Lutheran Disaster Response, LSS Disaster Services provides specialized services for disaster-affected children across the United States.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Persons served by disaster referral services	906	250 (Buffalo Lake)	400
Volunteer hours	6,880 (812 volunteers)	7,032 (830 volunteers)	7613 (812 volunteers)
States using Camp Noah/New Ground	4	3 (MS, IN, MN)	0
Persons served through training events	200	186	78
Total Budget for Disaster Response	$241,684	$189,799	$228,862

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.    

 

LSS FINANCIAL SERVICES

LSS Financial Services works with people in financial need to help them achieve financial stability through financial & housing counseling, debt management services, loan and grant programs, referral, advocacy and education services.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Heating and energy assistance – households  (grants)	2,706	1,535	2,671
Medical services support – individual grants	523	484	672
Financial counseling  – intakes	5,807	4,924	5,264
Total debt repayment programs	2,180	2,291	2,148
$$ returned to credit grantors	$8,747,456	$6,727,275	$9,465,224
Total Budget for Financial Services	$1,615,323	$1,270,972	$1,743,700

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.   

 

LSS GUARDIANSHIP/CONSERVATORSHIP

As court-appointed decision-makers, LSS Guardians/Conservators have the responsibility for managing the affairs of incapacitated individuals and advocating in their best interest.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Individuals served	774	749	745
Hours of service	30,642	22,658	29,232
Total Budget for Guardianship	$1,572,821	$1,209,947	$1,604,817

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.

 

LSS HOME AND COMMUNITY LIVING SERVICES

Home and Community Living Services (HCLS) support individuals with developmental disabilities as they live in local communities.  By offering an array of services in various settings, HCLS is able to promote the independence and personal choices of individuals.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Individuals served	614 (438 residential, 176 in their homes)	643 (479 residential, 164 in their homes)	567
Locations providing service	322**	278**	276**
Days of care	148,955	111,471
Hours of in-home service provided	67,072	41,541	53,629
Hours of SILS service provided	5,472	13,360	4,712
Total Budget for HCLS	$30,827,190	$24,002,290	30,425,700

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.
**Includes homes/apartments of semi-independent living service (SILS) and in-home services.

LSS HOUSING SERVICES

Housing Services includes the following programs:

• Transitional Housing – Supportive living environment in a residential setting, case management for families, training and education, housing placement assistance, post-placement supportive help (21 units in Minneapolis, Anoka County, Brainerd).

• Housing Resource Center – Walk In/Drop In availability, consultation on housing situation with an advocate, listings of available housing (Minneapolis).

• It’s All About the Kids – LSS’s “Housing First” program.  “Housing First” is an alternative to traditional models of emergency shelter and transitional housing services —moving homeless families directly into permanent, affordable housing and providing support services.  In “It’s All About the Kids,” LSS finds affordable housing for at-risk families in areas of Minneapolis where children can remain in the same school.  Families also receive support services from LSS case managers.  “Kids” is a collaborative effort between LSS, Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, City of Minneapolis, and Minneapolis Public Schools. 

• Journey Homes – is a permanent supportive housing program for families who are homeless and where the head of household has a documented disability (i.e., mental health, chemical dependency, HIV/AIDS, developmental disability).  This project is a true collaboration of LSS Services.  Housing Services, together with Counseling, Youth and Family Resources have partnered to provide support to families and children as they become more stable and achieve success.  This project begins in December 2004.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Unduplicated clients	7,729	5,397	5,429
Families served in transitional housing	62	120	132
Family members served in transitional housing	167	464	496
Volunteer hours/housing services	2,150	3,800	5,425
Volunteers/housing services	375	500	535
Total Budget for Housing Services	$927,497	$776,084	$1,263,350

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.

 

LSS REFUGEE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Results / Benefits

• LSS Refugee Services includes our Resettlement Program which reunites families that have been forced to leave their country due to fear of persecution for political or religious reasons.  LSS resettles refugees in the seven-county metro area, Rochester, Mankato, Willmar, Faribault, Owatonna, Austin, Marshall, Moorhead, Pelican Rapids, St. Cloud, and even Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 

• Refugee Cash Assistance was transferred from the metro counties to the resettlement agencies.  This program provides financial assistance to eligible refugees who have been in the U.S. for eight months or less.

• LSS Refugee Employment Programs provide job placement and retention assistance to refugees and asylees, who have been in the U.S. for less than five years.  Services are provided to refugees who are seeking employment in the metro or St. Cloud area.

• Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) employment programs provide job placement and retention assistance to welfare participants who live in Hennepin County.  These programs help participants overcome barriers to employment such as language and culture, lack of work experience, mental health issues, and chemical health issues. 

Note:  Due to federal and state budget cuts, some program elements are being consolidated into one, while others will end by December 2004.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Total  of Resettlement Individuals: Liberia Former Soviet Union Somalia Ethiopia Vietnam Bosnia Iran Sierra Leone Hmong (Laos) Various countries	176 125 14 12 7 7 4 4 0 0 3	390 195 11 71 52 2 0 3 29 0 27	979 270 17 387 75 0 0 1 10 199 20
Refugees Provided Extended Social Services: Moorhead/Pelican Rapids Marshall (closed) St. Cloud (opened in Nov 02)	700 600 19	1,000 60 150	778 50 45/200
Refugee Employment Programs:  Enrolled/Placed in Jobs:      St. Cloud (opened in Nov 02) Somalians Liberians      Metro Somalians Bosnians Liberian Ethiopians Other	N/A     130/104 41% 32% 11% 8% 8%	19     208/52 34% 24% 14% 22% 6%	46/20 98% 2% 240/134 36% <1% 34% 20% 9%
MFIP Tier 1 White Black SE Asian Indian Alaskan Other	338 12% 74% 9% 4% 1%	368 18% 70% 7% 4% 1%	542 19% 65% 5% 7% 2%
MFIP Tier 2 White Black SE Asian Indian Alaskan Other	206 49% 41% 10% 0% 0%	241 7% 73% 11% 6% 3%	119 10% 69% 11% 7% 3%

MFIP  Supported Work       Supported work placements       Unsubsidized work placements after 90 days

6 0

10 2

46 15

Total Budget for Refugee and Employment Services

$1,809,702

$1,332,331

$1,836,300

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.

 

LSS SENIOR CORPS

The LSS Foster Grandparent Program provides opportunities for seniors to serve as mentors, tutors and caregivers for children and youth who need special help.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Children/youth served	4,650	3,800	3,000
Volunteers	477	468	380
Hours of service	322,000	213,400	258,683
Volunteer sites (schools, day care, head-start)	175	180	195

LSS Senior Companion Program volunteers play a significant role in helping clients and caregivers maintain independence at home.
 

	2002	FY 2003	FY 2004
Older adults served	3,000	2,700	2,200
Volunteers	486	448	388
Hours of service	300,000	210,000	281,947
Agencies involved	125	110	100
Total Budget for Senior Corps	$1,032,000	$707,304	$1,090,000

LSS Senior Nutrition and Caregiver Support/Respite Care provides nutritious meals, social contact and support services for individuals 60 years of age or older.  The focus is on keeping seniors healthy, active and living independent lives.  Respite and Caregiver Support assists those who are caring for elderly, infirm family members.

	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Individuals served	18,324	31,603*	38,289
Meals served	620,866	456,940*	636,020
Volunteers	1,247	2,947*	4,066
Volunteer hours	90,354	63,633*	94,500
Families assisted by respite and caregiver programs	118	469*	767
Individuals/families receiving education about respite and caregiver support	14,205	18,452*	9,465
Total Budget for Senior Nutrition	$2,881,795	$2,301,175	$3,022,425
Total Budget for Caregiver Support	$287,414	$318,513	$419,075

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.  

 

LSS YOUTH SERVICES

Two general types of services comprise a variety of programs designed to help vulnerable and at-risk young people.

1. Community-Based Services include transitional living and independent living skills programs offered in concert with scattered-site apartments.  Other community-based services address prevention and intervention ― support groups, truancy programs, crisis nurseries, street outreach, and programs for young parents and volunteers.

2. Youth Residential Services include shelters and group homes.

		2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Community-Based:	Persons Served	17,785	17,700	15,977
Youth Residential:	Admissions	2,884	2,092	1,984
	Days of Care	26,253	24,086	27,034
Total Budget for Youth Services		$9,427,171	$7,101,464	$8,604,854

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.

 

LSS VOLUNTEER SERVICES

This year marked a new level for Volunteer Services, with seven more programs receiving "Invest in Volunteers" grants — to provide start-up funds for hiring a specialist to recruit and coordinate volunteers.  The four core areas that received two-year funding for 2002-2003 have continued to sustain and build their volunteer programs.  In October, 2003, Senior Nutrition, Caregiver Support & Respite, Refugee and Employment Services, and Adoption opened volunteer specialist positions.  Guardianship expanded programs in Moorhead and Duluth in January, 2004.  Home & Community Living Services (HCLS) and Customized Living Services, in Goodhue County, hired a volunteer specialist in February, and the Crisis Nursery and Youth Services in St. Cloud hired a volunteer specialist in April.  Also in October, LSS hired a volunteer coordinator to provide volunteer recruitment and support to the Faith in the City-Phillips Neighborhood Collaborative.  This position quickly grew into starting the Earned Income Tax Clinic and the business development and financing of the Personal Finance Center.  LSS Volunteer Services provide volunteer management, human resources and financial management support to these Faith in the City initiatives.

The 2003 “Sponsor A Family” partnership with Catholic Charities brought an estimated $900,000 in gifts and hope to 2,145 families in the greater metro area.  In July, 2004, LSS acquired the “Adopt A Family” volunteer services program from Olmsted County, and a new program manager was hired.  Adopt A Family connects in-kind goods donations with the needs of kids and families.  As a result, the Adopt A Family program will provide holiday gifts and caring to over 550 families in Olmsted County this December.

The following data, provided by a new reporting system, reflects the contributions of volunteers to LSS’ mission and services.  Using the Independent Sectors’ 2003 valuation of $17.19/ hour, in FY 2004 volunteers contributed $11,645,915!
 

Volunteer Services	2002	FY 2003*	FY 2004
Total number of volunteers	N/A	N/A	3,967
Number of new volunteers	N/A	N/A	3,291
Total number of volunteer hours	N/A	N/A	677,482
Staff time spent on volunteer training	N/A	N/A	12,462
Programs with volunteer specialists	4	4	11
Volunteer-driven community collaborations		1	3

*Numbers reported in FY 2003 reflect only nine-month periods, not 12-month periods used for reporting in 2002 and 2004.   LSS changed its fiscal year in 2003.

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