County board backs letter asking state to prioritize human‑services IT modernization
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Summary
Clay County unanimously approved a letter urging the Minnesota Department of Human Services and Department of Child, Youth and Families to pursue a county‑centered approach to human‑services systems modernization, citing increased administrative burdens and shrinking federal administrative funding.
Clay County social‑services staff asked the board to approve a letter urging a county‑centered approach to statewide human‑services systems modernization. Quinn said counties face "sweeping new administrative mandates" tied to recent legislation that include more frequent renewals, new work requirements for some Medicaid recipients, and increased monthly verifications, all of which will raise eligibility‑worker workload. Quinn told commissioners that without modernization "the only way to meet this increased demand and these added burdens is to continue adding staff and that approach is just not sustainable."
Quinn described the county’s fragmented technology stack — Maxis, METS, MEC^2 and SSIS — and said those systems do not communicate with each other, which increases error risk and staff time. Commissioners asked that the draft letter also copy local legislators; Commissioner Evinger moved to approve the letter with appropriate legislators added and Commissioner Bair seconded. The board approved the motion.
The letter will be sent to the commissioners of DHS and DCYF and to local legislators identified during the meeting. Commissioners said the request is timely and aligns with recent audit findings that highlighted problems that better systems could help prevent.