In response to recent questions about studies conducted by the Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division in the summer of 2016, David Rosenthal, director of the division, wrote a letter to community members explaining the process for completing the studies and which organizations and individuals were involved. DHS director responds to questions about study of deaf services (PDF)
The DHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division has created two new online trainings for consumers and providers on Support Service Providers, which are often referred to as SSPs.
SSPs act as the "eyes and ears" for people who are deafblind to help them lead more independent lives by providing visual and environmental information so the person can live more independently.
SSPs:
To complete the trainings, go to:
Support Service Provider 101: Working with People Who are DeafBlind
SSP 101: Using Support Service Providers
Recommendations to improve deaf and hard of hearing services in Minnesota are included in a recent DHS report to the Legislature.
The 2015 Legislature asked DHS to conduct an analysis of services provided through the DHS Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. The division and the Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans established a steering committee to guide the work. DHS has developed a strategic plan in response to two studies: one, a study of services and programs offered by the division; and another, a study of the Telephone Equipment Distribution program.
DHS and the commission are working to implement several recommendations and in addition have asked the Legislature to consider:
Governor Mark Dayton is proposing that the 2017 Legislature approve funding to sustain and improve deaf and hard of hearing services.
DHHS offers free diversity trainings on topics related to deafness and hearing loss that are available to the public. Please see our trainings page for more information.
MNsure offers free face-to-face application and enrollment assistance, called brokers or navigators. Brokers provide face-to-face enrollment assistance and advice to help you select a private health plan. Navigators offer free face-to-face application and enrollment assistance, and specialize in Medical Assistance and Minnesota Care application assistance. Certified brokers and navigators are available throughout the state to help you with enrollment.
You can find an assister near you or who speaks ASL (or other languages) using the MNsure Assister Directory. If there are no assisters who speak ASL near you, you can contact MNsure’s Accessibility and Equal Opportunity (AEO) office to request an interpreter or other communication access. You can contact the MNsure AEO office at: AEO@MNsure.org, or by calling the MNsure Contact Center at 1-855-366-7873.
