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Jessie Van Berkel @jessvanb
Joined May 2009
  • Tweets 5,658
  • Following 1,960
  • Followers 6,628
1,012 Photos and videos
Jessie Van Berkel retweeted
The Minnesota Star Tribune
@StarTribune
Jan 5
BREAKING: Gov. Tim Walz announces he won’t seek third term as he faces national scrutiny over fraud startribune.com/gov-tim-walz…

Gov. Tim Walz abandons re-election bid as fraud scrutiny intensifies

Walz said that over the holidays he changed his mind about running again. He talked to U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar ahead of his announcement, and she’s said to be seriously considering the race.

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MN will institute a two-year pause on licenses for adult daycares, MN temp DHS Commissioner Gandhi says. She says current capacity far exceeds the number of people with disabilities and older adults who use the daycare services.
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MN is seeking to terminate Housing Stabilization Services amid allegations of widespread fraud in the program. In an unprecedented step DHS requested federal approval to halt the benefit, saying it "does not have the necessary controls to stop bad actors." startribune.com/minnesota-mo…

Minnesota moves to terminate housing program amid FBI fraud investigation

The state is seeking to stop the Housing Stabilization Services program. The FBI searched five providers last month.

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What went wrong with Minnesota's "groundbreaking" Housing Stabilization Services program? I looked into the original vision, when and how problems emerged and what's next for a state program investigators say has been the target of "massive" fraud. startribune.com/what-went-wr…

What went wrong with Minnesota’s ‘groundbreaking’ program to fight homelessness?

FBI investigators raided five providers last week as they look into what is being called a “massive” fraud scheme in the Housing Stabilization Services program, now seen by many as a good idea “badly...

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Here's some of our past reporting on issues with Housing Stabilization Services: startribune.com/housing-stab…

Housing program dogged with complaints of wait times, potential fraud

Housing Stabilization Services was supposed to help Minnesotans find housing and keep it, but the fast-growing Medicaid benefit has had a difficult rollout.

startribune.com
Jessie Van Berkel@jessvanb
16 Jul 2025
Federal investigators searched eight locations in Minnesota on Wednesday as they look into what they are calling a “massive scheme” to defraud the state’s Housing Stabilization Services program. startribune.com/housing-stab…
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Federal investigators searched eight locations in Minnesota on Wednesday as they look into what they are calling a “massive scheme” to defraud the state’s Housing Stabilization Services program. startribune.com/housing-stab…

Feds search state housing program sites in probe of ‘massive’ fraud scheme

Companies received millions in Medicaid funds for services they didn’t provide, according to an FBI search warrant affidavit.

startribune.com
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A look at the political legacy of Melissa Hortman, a no-nonsense leader who didn’t seek the spotlight, took care of her team, relished organization and, above all, wanted to get stuff done. startribune.com/assassinated…

Assassinated Rep. Melissa Hortman leaves legacy as unflashy leader who ‘got the job done’

Hortman led House Democrats through some of the most difficult and consequential political times in recent Minnesota history.

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Massive Disability Services Day turnout at the Capitol. The major theme on many signs: “cuts have costs.” AG Ellison currently urging crowd to contact his office if they see cuts from Trump administration.
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Jessie Van Berkel retweeted
The Minnesota Star Tribune
@StarTribune
5 Feb 2025
Minnesotans with disabilities say state’s proposed budget cuts would ‘bring us backward’ startribune.com/minnesotans-…

Minnesotans with disabilities say proposed budget cuts would ‘bring us backward’

Advocates and providers are pushing back against Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed disability service changes and remain wary of potential federal changes to Medicaid.

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Shireen Gandhi is stepping in as @MinnesotaDHS temporary commissioner following Jodi Harpstead's departure. Gandhi has been at DHS since 2017, most recently serving as "deputy commissioner for agency effectiveness."
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DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead is leaving the job, Gov. Walz announced today. She's departing as the agency is under renewed scrutiny for fraud in its programs and as the massive department is splitting up. startribune.com/minnesota-de…

Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead leaving post

Harpstead has led the department since 2019. She is departing as the agency faces renewed scrutiny over fraud in its programs.

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Jessie Van Berkel retweeted
Winter
@deenafaywinter
12 Dec 2024
BREAKING: FBI searching autism center in downtown Minneapolis:
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MN Dept of Human Services has not tried to recover more than $40M in overpayments to Medical Assistance providers and "generally had inadequate internal controls," new legislative auditor's report finds. auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/…

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Minnesota has the second highest number of people with disabilities who are paid subminimum wages. The Biden administration proposed a rule this week to end the nearly 90-year-old practice that has led to some workers being paid cents on the dollar. startribune.com/biden-admini…

Biden administration proposes end to subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Minnesota has the second-most workers receiving subminimum wages of any state. Whether the Trump administration will support the proposed phaseout of the low wages remains uncertain.

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What could Trump’s return mean for Medicaid & other safety net programs? He previously proposed cuts to programs that help poor families and people with disabilities afford health care, food and housing. startribune.com/what-could-t…

What could Trump’s return mean for Minnesotans on Medicaid and safety net programs?

From food stamps and rent help to disability insurance, social services advocates are worried the incoming administration could cut programs that low-income Minnesotans rely on.

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Hennepin County OKed $15M today to create a youth behavioral health crisis stabilization center in Mpls & $7M/year to run it. The fast-tracked facility comes as kids who need treatment are stuck in detention centers and ERs. startribune.com/hennepin-cou…

Hennepin County OKs $15M youth behavioral health crisis stabilization center

The expedited project comes as kids with complex mental health needs are stuck in the county’s Juvenile Detention Center and emergency rooms.

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Thousands of Minnesotans get free or discounted housing from addiction treatment providers -- an offer some say supports recovery and prevents homelessness. It also may be illegal. A potential crackdown on the widespread practice has many on edge. startribune.com/many-minneso…

Many Minnesotans in addiction treatment get free housing. Is the aid illegal?

Nuway Alliance and other providers offer free or subsidized housing with outpatient treatment. Some say it’s an illegal kickback, others say it’s essential to recovery. An FBI raid has the industry...

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Deadly overdoses fell by 8% in Minnesota last year, the first decline in five years. Greater MN saw a particularly big drop in deaths, per early state data. startribune.com/overdose-dea…

Overdose deaths drop in Minnesota for first time in 5 years

Overall overdoses remain high, but naloxone, opioid use disorder medications and other measures are helping reduce deaths.

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Minnesota wants guardianship to be a last resort. But the number of people under another's care and control continues to grow. Legislative auditors and a new task force are re-examining the system that some advocates say is overused and too restrictive. startribune.com/they-took-aw…

Minnesota re-examines guardianships: ‘They took away her rights’

Court-appointed guardians are calling the shots for a growing number of aging Minnesotans. The controversial role is in the spotlight as the Legislative Auditor’s Office and a new task force look...

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When it comes to ensuring a growing number of older Minnesotans can live well, some warn that in this state "there is absolutely no driver of the bus." Is a Department on Aging the answer? startribune.com/minnesota-ne…

Minnesota needs to help older adults live well. Is a Department on Aging the answer?

Advocates say the state needs to do more to plan for and support a fast-growing population of older residents. Lawmakers are considering a new state agency.

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