Chapter One Federal Government - Minnesota State Legislature

Chapter
Five
State Agencies
Chapter Five State Agencies
130
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Law provides: The department administers and enforces the Minnesota Human Rights Act,
exercises leadership in the development of human rights policies, and mitigates discrimination
through public education and awareness. (Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 363)
Commissioner: Velma Korbel Appointed: 2003
Salary: $108,400
Army Corps of Engineers Centre, 190 E. 5th St., Suite 700, St. Paul 55101
(651)296-5663, (800)657-3704
Web site: www.humanrights.state.mn.us
Function: The department receives, screens, and investigates charges of discrimination to determine
whether there is probable cause to believe the law was violated and resolves complaints
through agreement of the parties or through litigation; informs and educates the public about individual
rights, the practices prohibited by the Human Rights Act, and responsibilities and remedies
under the law; and administers the state’s contract compliance program, which ensures that only
Minnesota companies that agree to comply with established hiring goals will be eligible to bid on
state construction contracts.
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Law provides: The department administers programs for citizens whose personal or family
resources are not adequate to meet their basic needs. The commissioner administers and supervises
publicly funded health care programs, economic self-sufficiency programs, children’s services and
community-based services to persons with disabilities. It also administers state-operated services for
persons with chemical dependency, developmental disabilities, and mental illness and operates one
center for geriatric patients. (Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 245–261)
Commissioner: Kevin Goodno Appointed: 2003
Salary: $108,400
Human Services Bldg., 444 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul 55155
(651)296-6117
Web site: www.dhs.state.mn.us
E-mail: dhs.webmaster@state.mn.us
Function: The department supervises county administration of financial assistance and community
social service programs and directly administers regional treatment center and community-based
state-operated facilities. It directly administers service programs for hearing-impaired persons and
licenses public and private agencies and programs that provide child care, child and adult foster
care, and residential and nonresidential programming for persons with developmental disabilities,
chemical dependency, or mental illness.
The department is responsible for publicly funded health care programs; family self-sufficiency
(financial assistance) programs; child support; welfare-to-work programs; and social services to
dependent and neglected children, vulnerable adults, elderly persons unable to live independently,
and persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or chemical dependency.