With news of layoffs at major Minnesota companies recently, the Star Tribune connected with Kim Miller in LSS Financial Counseling to seek guidance for Minnesotans who have experienced a job loss. Read the story.
Children’s Home Society and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota are affiliated organizations seeking foster parents to partner with them in caring for children and youth in need. If you are interested in making a direct difference in children’s lives, consider becoming a foster parent.
During 2022, an estimated 11,200 children and youth experienced out-of-home care, according to the most recent information available through the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Minnesota state legislators are making final budget and policy decisions around legislation that includes an 8% Community-Based Mental Health Rate Bridge increase in the Health and Human Services omnibus bill to maintain critical access to mental health services. An increase in mental health funding is being sought to address years of operating with reimbursement rates far below the true cost of service and a severe shortage of well-qualified and licensed mental health providers. Mental health service challenges are also compounded with an increase in demand for services and more people seeking services for complex and acute care needs. Bridge funding will provide immediate investment in services until a future rate structure currently under design by the Department of Human Services is established. “Immediate investment in rates for community-based mental health services is critically needed, especially for youth and families,” said Trevor Johnson, senior strategy director for Behavioral Health Services for Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.
“I joined the Senior Companion family eight years ago. I love being with older adults and knew this is what I wanted to do after I retired,” shared Deb Doran, a Senior Companion volunteer. LSS Senior Companion volunteers are age 55 and older and visit older adults weekly offering encouragement, sharing their time and talents, assisting with errands, grocery shopping and transportation to appointments to assist older adults in remaining healthy and independent. Read more in the Tri-County News.
Minnesotans can get pre-packaged frozen meals shipped right to their door. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota launched its Meals to Go program in 2019. Senior Director of LSS Meals Kristin Quenzer says the frozen meals have grown in popularity and they are now shipping over 2,000 meals each week. Check out the report on WJON radio.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is seeking respite volunteers to help family caregivers get breaks in their routine. Volunteers can offer older adults opportunities to maintain social connections, an important aspect of healthy aging that becomes difficult for people with dementia or mobility limitations. Read more about volunteering in the West Central Tribune story.
When Lashanique Griffin was growing up, life was hard. Sometimes she would sleep in her car because her home life wasn’t safe or stable, she recalls. “I wasn’t taking care of myself,” she said. “The REACH helped me put myself first.” Read more about The Reach, a program of Lutheran Social Service in Mankato, in a feature story in the Mankato Free Press and how you can help.
Did you know that Minnesota ranks third nationally among U.S. states for volunteer involvement? That's up two places from a 5th place ranking in 2019. To help inspire Minnesotans to aim for the top national ranking in volunteerism, the Star Tribune initiated a 3-part story series and volunteer challenge in March.
Wright County Press and News featured a story about the local Crisis Nursery operated by Lutheran Social Service that supports families in crisis. This service seeks to keep children safe and support family wellbeing by connecting families to emergency day care, community resources and basic needs. It is one of five crisis nurseries operated by LSS in Minnesota.
Your credit score can affect your employment, ability to secure loans and gain favorable interest rates. LSS Financial Counseling offers FREE credit report improvement services to help individuals improve their credit. Check out the story in the Tri-County News to learn more about what you can do to boost your credit.
