Last fall, a ceremony led by Minnesota's Commissioner Jodi Harpstead honored ten human services organizations for their contributions towards creating an equitable Minnesota—an event where innovation and community service were brought to the forefront. Among the winners were groups supporting refugees, Indigenous youth and elders, families with children, those enrolled in public health insurance, and individuals beginning recovery journeys. These organizations were celebrated for embracing community knowledge and spearheading solutions to persistent problems. "We are so proud of all the ways this year’s award winners are applying community knowledge and innovative ideas to solve persistent problems. Their work has a remarkable impact on our state," Harpstead stated, according to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
The Circle of Excellence awards, now in their twelfth year, continue to recognize significant initiatives that strengthen equity within Minnesota’s communities. Harpstead took a tour across the state, making stops at locations like the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Morton and Mounds View, to personally deliver the awards. These accolades spotlight the ongoing efforts to address the critical needs faced by Minnesotans from all walks of life.
One of the awarded organizations, Apple Tree Dental in Mounds View, was singled out for its exemplary services. The nonprofit has become a cornerstone in dental health, especially for those enrolled in Minnesota’s public health care programs. With nine Centers for Dental Health and an array of mobile programs, Apple Tree Dental collaborates with over 150 organizations, including schools and long-term care facilities. The institution provided over 90,000 visits and screenings in the last year, with services valued at upwards of $36 million, a testament to their expansive reach and commitment to care.
Minnesota's innovative approaches to health and welfare were on full display during the awards. For example, Behavioral Dimensions Inc. and Dakota County Children’s Mental Health were recognized for their joint program, Critical Care Unit for Behavioral Supports. They offer intensive in-home interventions for young individuals with complex mental health needs, aiming to prevent long-term hospitalization or foster care placement announced by DHS. The program extends behavioral consultation services throughout Dakota County and to several counties across central and southern Minnesota, showcasing the broad scale of their critical support network.
The DHS also showcased videos to offer deeper insights into the lauded organizations, such as MIGIZI in Minneapolis, that bolsters the development of American Indian youth through educational and cultural programs and Pink Cloud Foundation, which provides sober housing and resources for those in the throes of substance use disorder recovery. The Afghan Legal Clinic, a joint effort by The Advocates for Human Rights and Volunteer Lawyers Network, was also highlighted for delivering crucial legal services to Afghan evacuees in the region. Tri-City Connections, embracing three distinct communities, was recognized for enhancing early education and child care access for children of color, among other initiatives. Each organization encapsulates a Minnesota striving for equity and optimization of the human condition, a goal clearly shared by Commissioner Harpstead and the Minnesota DHS.
