Video description: Darlene Zangara, a white woman with blond hair and glasses stands on the left. Dan Millikin, a white man with light brown hair, is on the right.
Dan: Hi, I’m Dan Millikin, Director of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services.
Darlene: I’m Darlene Zangara, Executive Director of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing.
Dan: Many people think that Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services and the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing are the same organization.
Darlene: It’s easy to understand why people get confused. Both are Minnesota organizations. Both focus on issues facing deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing Minnesotans, and both were created thanks to the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens and other community activists who were not satisfied with the programs, services and funding that were available to support deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Minnesotans. Dan: However, we are separate organizations that do very different work.
Dan (alone on screen, next to State Services' logo): State Services was created in 1980. Our purpose is to put the Governor’s agenda into action. State Services must follow state regulations and Minnesota Department of Human Services policies. We also follow the budget set by DHS.
State Services provides direct services to deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing people, their parents and family members, human service providers and others who work with people who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing.
We do this by providing information, resources and referrals, and grants to support deafblind services, family mentoring services, mental health services and real-time captioning for local news.
Through MN ACT we support access to the phone for people who have hearing loss, or a physical or speech disability.
We also provide mental health services to adults who are deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing and connect parents of children who are deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing with community mental health resources.
Darlene (alone on screen, next to the Commission's logo): The Commission was created in 1985.
We are governed by an independent board. Board members are appointed by the Governor. At least 50% of the board must be deaf, deafblind or hard of hearing. At least one board member must be a parent of an individual who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing.
We also have nonvoting ex officio members chosen by the commissioners of the Departments of Education, Health, and Employment and Economic Development, and the director of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing State Services.
The board decides the purpose (big picture goals) of the Commission. I, with help from my staff and contractors, am responsible for interpreting the board’s instructions. I also must report to the board about how our work is progressing.
The Commission advises the governor, legislators, state agencies, and the judicial branch to ensure their policies and programs are inclusive to Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
We develop and pursue public policy solutions to barriers. We serve as the principal agency of the state to advocate on behalf of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard-of-hearing by working to ensure equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others. The Commission advocates for communication access and equal opportunity with the 20% of Minnesotans who are deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing.
(Darlene and Dan both on screen together.)
Dan: State Services and the Commission stay in close contact. We sometimes partner on specific issues. For example, State Services and the Commission shared the responsibility of distributing information about over-the-counter hearing aids.
Darlene: State Services representatives sometimes serve on Commission task forces and work groups. In addition, up to five State Services advisory committee members are also Commission board members. State Services staff and Commission staff frequently check in with each other to ensure our respective roles and responsibilities are working well.
Dan: To learn more about State Services, visit State Services’ website.
Darlene: To learn more about the Commission, explore the Commission’s website.
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