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Social media statement

The Minnesota Department of Human Services' presence on social media platforms provides opportunities to learn about human services programs and services. Social media allows DHS to share information beyond the official department website; however, DHS also encourages anyone interested in more information to visit mn.gov/dhs/.

Privacy

DHS social media accounts are not official DHS websites, but rather the department's presence on third-party service providers' platforms, which means DHS has limited control over how each platform uses personal data provided by users. Users are encouraged to read privacy policies of each social media platform via these platforms.

Communications with DHS, whether on social media or in an e-mail or traditional mail, are subject to Minn. Stat. Chapter 13, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. Generally speaking, social media and e-mail interactions are public information, and are subject to disclosure, according to that Act.

DHS recommends that users of social media platforms refrain from including personal information that they wish to remain confidential when interacting with DHS social media accounts.

Contact information

DHS' primary social media accounts are managed by the Office of Communications. Our contact information is: DHS.Communications@state.mn.us.

Media inquiries

If you are a member of the media seeking information, publication or republication permission, formal comment or an interview, please see contacts for reporters.

Content

Twitter

DHS' official Twitter account, @MinnesotaDHS, is used as an alternative method for accessing the material posted on the DHS website.

Followers of @MinnesotaDHS receive regular tweets covering some of the following:

  • News releases regarding DHS programs, services and activities

  • Information about DHS programs, services and activities

  • News articles and op-eds regarding DHS programs, services and activities.

Other DHS-related Twitter accounts

  • @MNDHSCareers - Job opportunities at DHS

  • @MNgamblinghelp - Information about DHS’ problem gambling program and toll-free helpline, (800) 333-HOPE

  • @KnowtheDangers - Information for teens and young adults about the dangers of synthetic drugs

Retweets and links to other websites

DHS also may tweet or retweet content from other users it thinks may interest its followers and support the department's goals.

Links to other resources are provided for the convenience of users and are intended to point users to additional information that may add perspective. DHS is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of these links, nor does it explicitly or implicitly endorse these sites or their content.

Tweet frequency

The number of tweets per day varies. Most tweets occur during regular working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Availability

Twitter updates are also subject to downtime that may be out of DHS control because Twitter servers are managed by a third party. DHS accepts no responsibility for the Twitter network becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

Following and unfollowing

DHS follows users related to business interests, such as other DHS accounts, federal, state, and local governments, grantees and other partners, elected officials acting in their official capacity, media organizations, and reporters.

The department's decision to follow a particular Twitter account, or the appearance of a user as a follower of DHS, does not imply endorsement of any kind.

Direct messages and @ replies

DHS will read @replies and direct messages, as well as e-mail sent directly to the e-mail address associated with the DHS Twitter account. DHS may not be able to reply individually to all messages. Since DHS does not follow most individual users, it may be difficult to conduct a full conversation on Twitter. DHS encourages individuals to instead send questions to dhs.info@state.mn.us.

YouTube

DHS' official YouTube Channel, youtube.com/MinnesotaDHS, is used as an alternative method for accessing the material posted on the DHS website. People who subscribe or view the DHS YouTube channel can expect video content that relates to the mission and goals of the department.

Other DHS-related YouTube accounts

Shared content

DHS also may share content from other YouTube channels or websites it thinks might interest its followers and support the department's goals. DHS is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of these videos.

Posting frequency

DHS posts videos regularly, as they are produced. Most posts occur during regular working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Availability

DHS' YouTube Channel is subject to downtime that may be out of DHS control because YouTube servers are managed by a third party. DHS accepts no responsibility for the YouTube network becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

Accessibility

DHS strives to post accessible content both on its web pages and third-party, social media platforms. DHS videos are closed-captioned.

Liking and sharing

DHS follows users related to business interests, such as other DHS accounts, federal, state, and local governments, grantees and other partners, elected officials acting in their official capacity, media organizations, and reporters. The department's decision to follow or subscribe to a particular channel, share a video, or the appearance of a user as a follower of DHS, does not imply endorsement of any kind.

Comment policy

Comments on DHS YouTube videos are disabled.

Facebook

DHS' official Facebook account, facebook.com/MinnesotaDHS, is used as an alternative method for accessing the material posted on the DHS website.

People who follow or "like" the official DHS Facebook page can expect regular posts covering some or all of the following:

  • News releases regarding related DHS activities

  • Polls and opportunities to provide feedback

  • Links to relevant news articles

  • Photos and videos of interest

  • Shared content from other related organizations.

Other DHS-related Facebook accounts

Shared content

DHS might share content from other Facebook users or websites it thinks may interest its followers and support DHS goals. Links to other resources are provided for the convenience of users and are intended to point users to additional information that may add perspective. DHS is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or reliability of the content of these links, nor does it explicitly or implicitly endorse these sites or their content.

Posting frequency

The number of posts per day varies. Most posts and responses will occur during regular working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Availability

DHS Facebook updates are also subject to downtime that may be out of DHS control because Facebook servers are managed by a third party. DHS accepts no responsibility for the Facebook network becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

Advertising

DHS does not endorse any products advertised through Facebook nor does it generate or control any of the advertising. Information posted is not meant to recommend specific products or services.

Liking and sharing

DHS Facebook accounts will follow and like users related to business interests , such as other DHS-related Facebook pages, pages of relevant federal, state and local governments, grantees and other partners. DHS' decision to "like" a particular Facebook page, or the appearance of a user as a follower of DHS, does not imply endorsement of any kind.

DHS content is also intended to be shared, and users are encouraged to share content it finds relevant or interesting.

Comment policy

DHS invites users to share positive and respectful ideas, information, opinions and stories. Individual users are fully responsible for anything they post in comments, including links, videos, photos and other material.

Comments made by the public on DHS Facebook pages are reviewed, and while comments will not be edited, they may be deleted without notification if they violate the following guidelines. All links posted as comments will be reviewed and may be deleted.

DHS and its authorized vendors will delete a comment/submission if it is:

  • graphic, obscene, explicit, vulgar or racially offensive

  • abusive, hateful or intended to defame anyone or any organization

  • hate speech, name-calling and/or personal attacks

  • a solicitation or advertisement, which includes a promotion or an endorsement for or a negative campaign against any financial, commercial or non-profit organization, or candidate running for a political office

  • suggesting or encouraging illegal activity

  • a copyright infringement

  • spam (items posted repeatedly).

DHS also reserves the right to delete any other comments/materials deemed inappropriate that are not covered by the preceding list. Repeated violations of the department's guidelines may result in blocking the author from the social network platform.

We understand that social media is a 24/7 medium; unfortunately, our monitoring capabilities are not. We trust in the maturity of our community to ignore personal attacks, negative speech or any other site violations until we are able to respond. We make every effort to moderate all comments in a timely manner.

LinkedIn

DHS' official LinkedIn company page, linkedin.com/company/minnesota-department-of-human-services, is used as an alternative method for advertising DHS job opportunities in addition to the State of Minnesota Careers website. People who follow DHS on LinkedIn can expect to see job opportunities at DHS.

Posting frequency

DHS will post job opportunities as openings become available. Most posts occur during regular working hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Availability

DHS' LinkedIn page is subject to downtime that may be out of DHS control because LinkedIn servers are managed by a third party. DHS accepts no responsibility for the LinkedIn network becoming unresponsive or unavailable.

Following and unfollowing

Any LinkedIn member can follow the DHS company page, and DHS employees with individual accounts on LinkedIn may select DHS as their employer. The appearance of a user as a follower or employee of DHS does not imply endorsement of any kind. As a company page, DHS is unable to follow individual users and other companies.

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