Community Resources
Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) strives to help people live as independently as possible so they can continue to be a part of the communities in which they live. Persons with disabilities and/or those facing systemic barriers can find helpful resources related to:
Health Care (preventative care and disease management)
Economic Assistance (food, housing, income)
Social Security Advocacy Services (SSI & SSDI)
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
The mission of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is to PROTECT, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ALL MINNESOTANS. Therefore, Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota works very closely with various departments within MDH to ensure that this mission equitably serves the Minnesota sickle cell community. Although there has been much work done to protect, maintain and improve the health of Minnesotans living with sickle cell disease, there is still much work to be done.
Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota is committed to working with MDH as both a partner and strategist in ensuring that our state is adequately meeting the public health needs of our community and that sickle cell disease is represented with the dignity and respect that all Minnesotans deserve.
MDH & Sickle Cell Disease
In 2022 MN Department of Health (MDH) launched it’s first webpages dedicated to sickle cell disease and related resources for medical providers, patients, and caregivers. Visit this resource packed page to learn more about:
MDH Minnesota Newborn Screening & Long-Term Follow Up
In 1964 Minnesota began screening newborns for rare and often hidden disorders. In Minnesota, Newborns are screened for more than 60 conditions that affect blood, breathing, digestion, hormones, metabolism, the immune system, hearing, and the heart. Screening is done using 3 test:
Blood Spot Screening
Hearing Screening
Pulse Oximetry Screening
In 1988, sickle cell disease was added to the newborn screening panel using blood spot screening (heel stick) and in 2015, MDH implemented a sickle cell trait notification program so that parents of babies born with trait are also informed and educated.
MDH Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)
In Minnesota, 1 in every 5 families have at least one child with a special health need. The mission of CYSHN is to improve population health through building the capacity of all systems that serve families of children and youth with special health needs.
CYSHN Activities in Minnesota include:
Education
Follow-up
Community Partnership
Public Policy
Surveillance (data collection, monitoring and analysis)
Sickle Cell Foundation of Minnesota strongly encourages our families to participate as an active member of The Children & Youth with Special Health Needs Parent Workgroup to ensure diverse representation that includes the sickle cell community.