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Youth Voice in Local Government: Blue Earth County

Human Services Advisory Committee

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. This committee is authorized in law to fulfill specific responsibilities in relation to a County's operation of its Human Services programs. The purpose of the committee is to provide input to the County Board relating to service developments, priorities, budgeting and evaluation within the Human Services Department. This includes the program areas of mental health, community health, social services and financial assistance.

Social Services Task Force

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. This group is authorized as part of the Human Services Act which provides partial definition of how services will be provided in Blue Earth County. Members of this task force provide community input on policies and services related to child protection, child and adult foster care, volunteer services, adoption, family based services, senior transportation, developmental disabilities, child care funding, sexual violence and chemical dependency.

Mental Health Task Force

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. This group is authorized by the Adult and Children's Mental Health Acts in Minnesota statutes and has specific responsibilities to fulfill as they advise the County Board. Members of this task force provide community input on policies, treatment and services related to individual needs such as personal adjustment, marital adjustment, parent-child relationships, child and adolescent therapy, problems associated with aging, legal commitments and aftercare as well as case management for persons with serious and persistent mental illness.

Community Health Task Force

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. This group is authorized by state law to advise the local Board of Health on a broad range of issues. Members of this task force provide community input on policies and services related to health issues broadly affecting the community and sub-populations such as children, adolescents, and adults. This includes such activities as health education, school health, home health and home health care, protection of vulnerable adults/adult protection, family day-care licensing, immunizations, and communicable disease control.

South Central Children's Project

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Children's Project Board. The Children's Cabinet is made up of administrators and parents from the school districts and counties participating in the family service collaborative. Each school district and each county appoint a representative. There are also parent and provider representatives. The cabinet develops procedures, provides fiscal oversight and policy recommendations. The group focuses more on what needs to be done than how to do something.

South Central Children's Project Local Advisory Committee

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. The Advisory Committee meets periodically with Project staff, community service providers, parents and interested people to determine how services can be most effective/useful to children and families. These meetings are more focused on how to do things than what needs to be done. Participants receive information from Project staff members as well as providing information to Project Staff.

Community Corrections Advisory Board

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. The Corrections Advisory Board gives advice, review programs, and makes recommendations on Corrections Programs that serve the citizens of Blue Earth County, i.e probation. This Advisory Committee is responsible for writing the annual comprehensive corrections plan for Blue Earth County. The Committee consists of citizen members and some mandated professional members. Statutory reference is Minnesota Statues 401.08

Extension Committee

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. The Extension Committee has four main responsibilities: program development and evaluation, budget recommendations, staff hiring and evaluation, and promotion of the Extension program. The Extension program is an informal educational outreach program of the University of Minnesota, in partnership with Blue Earth County. Some of the audiences include: farm families and businesses, youth (4-H and others), consumers, limited resource families, and gardeners.

Recycling Education Committee

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. The Recycling Education Committee makes recommendations on recycling and waste reduction in Blue Earth County. During these meetings action plans are made for projects, displays and presentations. Committee members also participate in events such as parades, school presentations, Earth Day, County Fair, home shows, etc.

Environmental Services Advisory Committee

Appointed by the Blue Earth County Commissioners, advisory to the Blue Earth County Commissioners. The Environmental Services Advisory Committee provides advice and recommendations on Environmental Services issues. This committee works to identify community environmental needs, assists in the development of goals and policies, reviews state and federal regulations to assess the potential effect on the county, and acts as a resource for public contact regarding environmental matters.

Please direct questions to Cheryl Hamond or call 387-8255.