[White text on black background reads: About DHHSD. Under the text is the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division logo. Shawn Vriezen, a white man with a brown beard, is on the right side of the screen. He is wearing glasses and a dark gray button-down shirt and blazer.]
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division, or DHHSD, is part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Our mission is to make it easier for all Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, late-deafened, or hard of hearing to find the information and resources they need to communicate, live independently, learn, work, and participate in their communities.
We serve adults and children with hearing loss, adults and children who are deafblind, meaning they have lost some or all of their hearing and vision, adults who have lost some or all of their hearing because of aging, illness or an injury, parents and family members; we serve human service providers and agencies, mental health and medical providers, employers, businesses in the community, educators, and a list of others.
All DHHSD services are available at no cost to eligible consumers. DHHSD is designed to make it easier to find resources, services and support quickly.
DHHSD Regional Services is a central source of information, consultation, and referrals to local deaf and hard of hearing programs and services throughout the state. Our team of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialists provide direct, one-on-one consumer assistance, program and service referrals, as well as information and resources.
Select Contact Us on this website to connect with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist.
People who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing are more likely to struggle with depression and anxiety than their hearing peers. Unfortunately, it is hard to find mental health providers who communicate in ASL and understand Deaf culture and the unique issues faced by people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
DHHSD Mental Health Services provides mental health services to Minnesota residents who are age 18 or older and are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. All members of the DHHSD Mental Health Services team are fluent in ASL and have experience providing mental health services to people with hearing loss.
We may refer you to local providers in your community. Parents and family members of children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing will be connected with a provider. We can also help you plan ways to maintain your mental health in the future.
Go to the Mental Health section of this website to learn more about our programs and services and how to access them.
DHHSD administers designated government funds through community-based grant programs focused on the complex needs of children and adults who are deafblind, access to ASL interpreter services in greater Minnesota, culturally-affirmative community mental health services, family mentor programs for families raising an infant, child or young adult who is deaf or hard of hearing, and real-time TV news captioning in outstate and rural communities.
The Grants section of this website explains the grant-making process in more detail. Qualified service providers are encouraged to submit proposals during the grantmaking. Information on current grants and Requests for Proposals is available on this website.
Select Contact Us on this website to connect with a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist.
DHHSD provides free assistive telephone equipment to eligible Minnesotans who have a hearing loss, speech impairment or physical disability. Our Telephone Equipment Distribution (or TED) team will help you choose the best equipment option based on your communication needs, preferences and technology skills.
The Minnesota Relay Outreach program promotes using the federal Telecommunications Relay Service. This free service allows people with hearing or speech disabilities to place and receive local or long distance calls with help from specially-trained operators.
Go to the Assistive Technology section of this website to learn more about the TED and the Minnesota Relay Outreach programs.
Select Contact Us on this website for personal assistance.
