Video & Transcript Research : 'refugee resettlement'
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NM
Keywords:
youth violence, violence prevention, violence intervention, community violence intervention, credible messengers, peer support, restorative justice, violence interrupters, juvenile justice, at-risk youth, high-risk youth, public safety, Department of Health, New Mexico, statewide summit, data collection, reporting, interagency coordination, community-based organizations, law enforcement
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Consumer and Public Affairs Feb 3rd, 2026 at 03:09 pm
House Consumer & Public Affairs
Keywords:
juvenile delinquency, firearm possession, criminal background checks, state law, gun control, youth offense, conviction, public safety, medical injury, adverse outcome, health care provider, patient rights, confidentiality, settlement, legal counsel, HB124, New Americans Division, Workforce Solutions Department, immigrant workforce, refugee resettlement
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- refugee resettlement program is that the refugee resettlement program is good<04:04:59.120>
for <04:31:44.159>- Um and then the refugee resettlement.
resettlement, dollars from the refugee resettlement, dollars from the refugee the <04:32:02.560>same refugee resettlement program in the same refugee resettlement program- Resettlement to utilize the funds for refugee resettlement.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services.
Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice.
DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- state's refugee resettlement program. state's refugee resettlement program.
- Um and then the refugee resettlement.
- We're bound, I mean, by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement to utilize the funds for refugee resettlement
- <05:00:50.000>
resettlement the state's primary refugee resettlement the state's primary refugee - Um we resettle refugees. They're site. Um we resettle refugees.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/01/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Refugee ends the DHHS Office of Refugee Resettlement, Resettlement, Resettlement, and<02:54:43.160><
- any money on refugee resettlement. any money on refugee resettlement.
- resettlement program get fewer refugees. resettlement program get fewer refugees.
- This bill will not impact refugee resettlement.
- <03:27:25.400>
Resettlement by the Office of Refugee Resettlement by the Office of Refugee
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (02/18/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:02:05.119>
resettlement mandated state refugee resettlement mandated state refugee resettlement - Uh, we resettle<01:11:24.000>
refugees. - All our clients are resettle refugees.
- That is what refugee resettlement can produce.
- That is what refugee resettlement can produce.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Without the sacrifice of our Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian veterans, as children of refugees, we would
- I must share this: that in 1975, when the refugees came over from Southeast Asia, Minnesota welcomed
- They have established many friendships and are now grandchildren of those refugees.
Keywords:
cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, without the sacrifice of our Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian veterans, as children of refugees, we
- Uh, without the sacrifice of our Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian veterans, as children of refugees, we
- and Cambodian veterans as<00:21:09.280>
children <00:21:09.679>of <00:21:10.000>refugees - , we would not be as children of refugees, we would not be here<00:21:11.679>
today. - I must share this: in 1975, when the refugees came over from Southeast Asia, Minnesota welcomed folks
Keywords:
cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- funded programs that make 80% of our budget and is funded through the Office for Refugee Resettlement
- The funding that we at ORI provide comes directly from the Office for Refugee Resettlement.
- The Office for Refugee Resettlement, right before the change of administration, issued a policy letter
- agencies for the post-resettlement work that they do through the Office for Refugees and Immigrants.
- And the Office for Refugee Resettlement couldn't really share any updates for a long time.
Summary:
The hearing was a FY27 budget session on Health and Human Services held in Mattapan, hosted by the Joint Committee on Ways and Means. Opening remarks from Senator Lydia Edwards, Representative Brandy Fluker-Reed, Representative Russell Holmes, and Boston Public Library President David Leonard emphasized the significance of holding the first Ways and Means hearing in Mattapan, the importance of community access, and the role of libraries as human services institutions. Committee members and attendees introduced themselves before agency testimony began.
MassAbility testified first, describing its mission to support people with disabilities through employment, independent living, and disability determination services. The agency highlighted federal funding uncertainty, a modest FY27 budget reduction, and a proposed reworking of its home care program, which it said is outdated and should better target those most in need. Members questioned the home care cut, staffing reductions, and federal coordination. MassAbility also shared a participant story about recovery and community support to illustrate the impact of its services.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing then presented its FY27 request, focusing on interpreter and captioning access, workforce development, emergency communication, aging-related hearing loss, and transition services for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth. Members asked about interpreter shortages, after-hours emergency coverage, ASL education, and community training; the commission said it is expanding mentorship and referral systems but still faces staffing and vendor challenges. The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind followed with a $30.8 million request, describing services for nearly 9,000 consumers, peer support groups, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 services, while noting federal funding uncertainty and a 7% budget cut. Members raised concerns about maintaining services with fewer resources, and the commissioner said the agency had trimmed overhead and could manage the proposal.
The Office for Refugees and Immigrants closed the segment, outlining expanded legal, housing, workforce, citizenship, and financial literacy supports for immigrants and refugees, including Know Your Rights trainings, legal defense initiatives, and the Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative. Members discussed the effects of federal policy changes, the loss of refugee resettlement funding, and the need for state support to fill gaps. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the hearing consisted of agency presentations and committee questioning.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House passes bill to expand recognition, benefits for veterans of 'Secret War' 5/4/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- When the Hmong resettlement in St.
- Paul, When the Mong resettlement in St.
- Of the six House representatives in this chamber, we are all either refugees or first-generation refugees
- Of the six House representatives in this chamber, we are all either refugees or first-generation refugees
- Thank you everyone so much who supported... communities uh refugee and immigrant communities uh refugee
Summary:
The House took up House File 3919, a Veterans Affairs bill to modify benefits for veterans of the Secret War in Laos and to codify recommendations from an SGU task force created in the prior session. Representative Cha, the bill’s author, explained that the measure was the product of eight task force meetings and consultation with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and he described the bill as a way to recognize SGU veterans, including Hmong, Lao, and other indigenous groups who served in Laos. He and several members spoke at length about the sacrifices of SGU veterans and the Hmong refugee experience, emphasizing that the bill was both a policy change and an overdue act of recognition.
Multiple members rose in support. Representative Duran said he initially had concerns but changed his view after conversations with Cha and said he was not offended by the bill as a combat veteran. Representatives Lee, Vang, Gander, McDonald, Frasier, and others praised the veterans’ service, noted the large Hmong population in Minnesota, and said the bill was long overdue. Representative Lee K. offered a more cautious note, saying the bill was the result of a difficult compromise and expressing concern that the licensing distinction for these veterans was different from other veterans, though he still supported the measure. Representative Jean J. clarified that veterans naturalized under the federal Hmong Veterans Naturalization Act already have access to state programs, while this bill was aimed at SGU veterans who were not naturalized under that act.
After discussion, the House proceeded to a roll-call vote. The bill passed unanimously, 132 ayes and 0 nays, and its title was agreed to.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities
Transcript Highlights:
- IINE has welcomed and supported immigrants in the Commonwealth for over 110 years and has resettled refugees
- here since the enactment of the Refugee Act in 1980.
- The work of IINE and the resettlement agencies has enriched the lives of thousands of refugees, providing
- Strong resettlement agencies make this possible.
- Through my work, I see how resettlement services are truly life-changing.
Summary:
The committee held a hybrid hearing on a range of bills affecting children, families, disability rights, homelessness, and social services. Early testimony focused on H.215, which would support children experiencing homelessness by speeding access to child care vouchers and early intervention screenings. Boston officials, Horizons for Homeless Children, Head Start, pediatric and early education advocates, and families described delays in child care and early intervention, the developmental risks of homelessness, and the need for automatic referrals and faster access to services. Testimony also supported H.216, which would improve emergency housing assistance by restoring presumptive eligibility, reducing documentation barriers, extending shelter stays from six to nine months, and creating an ombudsperson; providers and legal advocates said current rules leave families sleeping in cars or outside and create unnecessary administrative hurdles.
The committee also heard strong support for H.210, which would repeal the “Learn Fair” school attendance sanction that cuts cash assistance to families when children miss school. Advocates from legal aid, education, and anti-poverty organizations argued the policy is punitive, burdensome, and ineffective, disproportionately affecting low-income, disabled, and Hispanic/Latino families. Several speakers said chronic absenteeism should be addressed through supports such as family outreach, wraparound services, and school engagement rather than benefit cuts. Legislators and school officials from Salem also testified that their districts reduced absenteeism through supportive strategies, not sanctions.
Additional testimony addressed children’s vision bills H.202 and H.166, with optometrists and researchers urging better screening, data systems, and treatment access to close achievement gaps caused by untreated vision problems. Senator Lovely also presented S.2714, proposing a study of discrimination in public accommodations for people with service animals. Later, testimony on H.279 supported changing social work licensure rules to remove exam requirements that speakers said disproportionately exclude multilingual candidates and candidates of color. The hearing also included testimony on bills related to the Judge Rotenberg Center and electric shock devices, with disability rights advocates opposing continued use of the devices and urging the committee to reject licensing or authorization for them. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Ways and Means (02/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- about refugee resettlement and some of the organizations that work with refugees that I just wanted
- Refugee resettlement is a federal program carefully managed by the U.S.
- I firmly believe that New Hampshire is better off because of refugee resettlement here.
- Refugee resettlement is a federal program carefully managed by the U.S.
- better off because of refugee better off because of refugee resettlement<05:06:05.520>
here
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar.
The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/05/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:37:57.599>
resettlement the office um of refugee resettlement the office um of refugee - resettlement program were refu Refugee resettlement program were eliminated<00:39:28.040>
within< - <00:39:45.880>
resettlement <00:39:46.880>so associated with Refugee resettlement so is refugee resettlement side which is refugee resettlement side which is primarily<01:20:00.280- major nonprofits that work with Refugee major nonprofits that work with Refugee resettlement<01:
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Floor Session 5/17/25 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I would like to thank those legislators that made it possible to resettle Mong refugees in the
- And so I would like to thank those legislators that made it possible to resettle Mong refugees in the
- And so I would like to thank those legislators that made it possible to resettle Mong refugees in the
- And so I would like to thank those legislators that made it possible to resettle Mong refugees in the
- > the<00:21:01.600>
state to resettle among refugees in the state to resettle among refugees
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- refugee minor program, and this may be at risk.
- coordinator of the Office for Refugees and Immigrants.
- from the Office for Refugee Resettlement.
- More recently, resettlement agencies that are key partners and providers to the Office for Refugees and
- State Department, seizing funds and services that were supposed to support 832 refugees that were resettled
Summary:
The hearing opened with remarks from Senate Chair Robyn Kennedy and House Chair Chynah Tyler, who emphasized that the fiscal year 2026 hearing was focused on the Health and Human Services budget, asked members to keep questions budget-related, and noted that no public testimony would be taken. They also highlighted the choice of Doherty Memorial High School as the venue to showcase Worcester’s investment in career and technical education. Committee members then introduced themselves before the first panel, the Executive Office of Veterans Services and the state veterans homes, began testimony.
Secretary John Santiago said the governor’s FY26 proposal would support implementation of the HERO Act, which he said is now about 95% implemented, including higher disabled veteran annuities, expanded behavioral health benefits, and other service expansions. He described efforts to reduce veteran homelessness, including nearly $20 million in ARPA-funded housing and outreach initiatives, and said the agency has delivered more than 100,000 supportive services to nearly 8,500 veterans. Leaders from the Chelsea and Holyoke veterans homes reported on staffing, quality measures, electronic medical records, and major construction projects at both facilities, including a new Chelsea campus and the new Holyoke home. Members asked about funding transfers, geographic equity in access to the homes, outreach to women veterans and veterans of color, suicide prevention, Gold Star family support, and the impact of federal uncertainty; Santiago said the homes are now licensed and certified, that the current budget is sufficient, and that the agency is expanding engagement and data collection.
The second panel, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, testified that its FY26 request is about $3.3 million, up from the current $2 million, to cover staffing, a larger office, and higher technology costs. Veteran Advocate Bob Notch said the office is a new independent oversight agency created in 2022 to examine systems, coordinate with local veteran service officers, and investigate fatalities or serious harm involving veterans in state care. He said the office’s work depends on research, data, and collaboration with other agencies, and that current funding is only enough for minimum operations. In response to questions, Notch and Deputy Commissioner David O’Callaghan discussed the difficulty of tracking veteran suicides, the need for better data across agencies, and the office’s role as an oversight body rather than a direct service provider. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/19/2025)
Summary:
House Finance Division III convened a work session on the DHHS budget, with the chair noting there would be no votes and that the committee would spend the day hearing from the commissioner’s office. Nathan White, DHHS Chief Financial Officer, opened with the Division of Finance/Office of Business Operations, explaining that the unit supports the department through daily financial management, AP/AR, audit work, expense projections, transfers, and procurement functions such as contracts, amendments, RFPs/RFAs, and grants management. He also described the division’s revenue and reporting work, including federal draws, CMS-64 reporting, and the public assistance cost allocation plan, and said the department had centralized rate-setting work and a small team handling Medicaid rate analysis and nursing facility rebase work.
Members asked about vacancies, turnover, and budget changes. White said the division had 18 positions unfunded in the governor’s budget, reducing personal services from about $10.8 million to $9.9 million, and estimated the division’s vacancy rate at about 11 percent, below the department average. He said turnover was relatively low, with one retirement at the manager level and higher turnover mainly at lower AP-level positions. He also explained that some budget lines reflected reallocations rather than new spending, including fringe benefits centralized elsewhere and an EBT card contract moved into this unit because the staff member overseeing it works in Finance. When asked about a rent/lease increase, he said it was due to higher copier leasing costs under a statewide DAS contract.
White highlighted several management and technology improvements. He said a business intelligence tool procured in 2022, using Salesforce and Excel-based data, helped DHHS better track federal revenue and maintenance-of-effort spending, reducing FY24 General Fund lapse by about 70 percent and federal/other revenue lapse by 88 percent compared with FY23; he warned that the tool is not funded in the current budget. He also described Lean Six Sigma efforts in the contracts team, training for vendors and nonprofits on procurement and indirect cost rules, and a Finance Academy to standardize policies and procedures. On the contracts side, he said the department uses Smartsheet for project management and DocuSign for electronic signatures, which cut contract execution time dramatically, but noted DocuSign is also not funded in the governor’s budget. The session ended as the committee prepared to move on to the Employee Assistance Program presentation.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (03/04/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- resettled in New Hampshire.
- refugee program works. refugee program works.
- the state refugee program whatsoever. the state refugee program whatsoever.
- refugees who have already been resettled refugees who have already been resettled in<00:52:39.080
- c> New um refugees being resettled in New um refugees being resettled in New Hampshire.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (03/17/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Resettlement and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Resettlement and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Resettlement and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- from the office of ref Refugee resettlement<01:19:49.760>
and <01:19:49.920>the <01:19: - 50.120>
Department <01:19:50.520>of resettlement and the Department of resettlement and
Summary:
The House Finance Committee first took up a nongermane amendment to House Bill 71 that would require state vendors, through contract language, to comply with the New Hampshire Patient Bill of Rights. Representative Edwards said the amendment was revised after feedback from the hospital association and DHHS, applies only to new contracts or amendments, and includes a repeal date of November 30, 2026 so it would function only for the current budget cycle. John Williams of Legislative Affairs said the changes reflected work with DHHS procurement staff and with hospital stakeholders, including the removal of the term "addenda" in favor of "amendment" and clarification on prospective application. The committee did not vote on the amendment at that time, noting it would be attached later to HB 71.
The committee then moved into executive session and acted on several bills. HB 67, which converts a pilot program for accessible voting machines in local elections into a permanent program, was amended to remove a $100,000 appropriation and adjust dates; the amendment and the bill as amended both passed unanimously, 25-0, and the bill was suggested for the consent calendar. HB 111, extending the Right-to-Know Ombudsman position, was retained and slated to be incorporated into HB 2 after a unanimous 25-0 vote, with the ombudsman noting the office could expire July 1 if the budget were delayed. HB 164, creating a process for a publicly accessible website for local records retention and access, was also retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote because it carries an appropriation.
HB 216 was retained for further work because the committee could not get reliable cost information from the retirement system or the Labor Department; members said the fiscal note looked alarming, though the committee believed the actual cost might be near zero. HB 282, which raises the biennium cap on critical injury benefits for first responders from $500,000 to $1 million without increasing any individual benefit, was voted ought to pass 25-0 and will require a report. HB 619, dealing with solid waste issues and a possible self-funding accounting unit, was retained for HB 2 by a 25-0 vote. HB 650, an annual dedicated-funds cleanup bill that also caps a robotics fund at $1 million, passed ought to pass 25-0 and was placed on consent. Finally, HB 129, defining "evidence-based" in public education, was retained 25-0 while members continued working on language, and HB 133, concerning new resident driver’s license transfer requirements and DMV notices, drew a split policy discussion: the minority raised constitutional, administrative, and fiscal concerns, while the majority moved to retain it for HB 2 consideration.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a volunteer with Overcomers Refugee Services, and I'm a friend to several refugee families. ...refugee
- He said they resettle refugees, like Centria, and focus on resettling people with the purpose of getting
- Uh we resettle refugees<02:02:11.840>
like <02:02:12.159>uh <02:02:12.320>Centria with uh meet the US Office of Refugee with uh meet the US Office of Refugee Resettlements<03:42:- Um, we resettle refugees. Um, that's a tough act to follow.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This budget activity is federal refugee resettlement money, which goes to the Department of Human Services
- They are the ones who actually deal with refugee resettlement, and unless something is different, that
- budget activity is uh Federal Refugee budget activity is uh Federal Refugee resettlement<00:24:24.880
unless with Refugee resettlement and um unless with Refugee resettlement and um unless something- I have a question about the refugee resettlements.
Summary:
The committee met for an introductory overview of its jurisdiction and staff roles. Nonpartisan House Research and House Fiscal staff explained that they draft bills and amendments, prepare bill summaries and background research, answer legal and fiscal questions, and help track revenue and budget effects. They also distributed a Budget Overview Brief intended to condense the larger budget materials into a more usable format for members.
Staff then walked through the Human Services budget and the committee’s areas of responsibility. They described the department structure, noting that DHS oversees administration, compliance, rulemaking, and county support, and that the overall Human Services budget is large, with medical assistance as the dominant program. They also explained recent and upcoming reorganizations: many children and family-related functions are moving to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families, Direct Care and Treatment is becoming its own agency, and some homelessness-related functions remain at DHS. Staff reviewed how the budget is organized by program and budget activity, the difference between direct appropriations and standing appropriations, and how forecasted programs and “tails” work in the budget process.
The presentation also covered Medicaid financing and long-term care. Staff explained the federal-state FMAP match, including Minnesota’s current 51.16% federal match for most Medicaid spending, the CHIP match, and the 90% federal share for the expansion population. For long-term care, they outlined Medical Assistance services for elderly and disabled people, state-funded long-term care supports, and Board on Aging programs. They highlighted the personal care assistance program’s phaseout and replacement by Community First Services and Supports, and reviewed the five home- and community-based waivers.
Members asked one question about refugee resettlement funding, specifically whether it covers flights; staff said they would need to follow up on the exact use of the federal funds. No bills were heard, and no formal votes or other committee actions were taken during this meeting.