Monday – August 25, 2025
9:30 A.M. – 12:30
P.M. Resource Session - Minnesota Room
👉 Click here for session documents
1:15 P.M.
– 1:45 P.M. Welcome
& Introductions
1:45 P.M.-3:00 P.M. - Keynote: Jason Douglas
Jason’s speaking
engagements are a mix of motivation, humor, business keynote, and most
importantly how to work as & build a winning team. His POWER OF THANK YOU
keynote has been a success at events nationwide. Key Points Jason covers: 1)
Team building. 2) Defining the goals and setting small goals on the way to the
top. 3) Using humor as a tool. 4) Opening up communication lines with your
team. 5) The power of “thank you”.
Jason mixes humor and motivation in a unique way. He's a stand up
comedian and also is the president of one of the largest comedian booking
companies in America. He talks about the obstacles he’s faced over the last 20
years, the wins, and yes – Even the fails. Jason believes we learn from both
wins and losses. His journey is one of inspiration and determination. Jason
loves to talk about how building a team changed his business for the better.
Click
here for session documents – If available
Presented by: Carmen Patton-Minder (DHS) and Todd Goetze (DCYF)
Mystery Solved: DHS and
DCYF Are Now Separate Agencies!
The date was July 1, 2024. The scene? A historic split—DHS and DCYF
officially became two distinct agencies. But what exactly changed? Who's doing
what now? And what can you expect next? Join us as we uncover the clues and
solve the case of: “The Curious Case of the
Agency Split”
Your lead detectives:
- Detective
Carmen, DHS Financial Operations Division (FOD)
Director
- Inspector
Todd, DCYF FOD Program Operations Manager
Ø They'll piece together:
What’s changed behind the scenes
Ø What you can expect in your day-to-day work
Ø What lies ahead in this new chapter for both agencies
Don’t miss this briefing—it’s elementary, dear colleague. 🧥🕵️
👉 Click here for session documents
Tuesday – August 26, 2025
8:30 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. Cybersecurity
Presented by: Boima Freeman, Department of
Commerce
• The
presentation will cover how to crack the code! Learn how the importance of
good, strong passwords and updating them, as well as practices to develop and
use to keep personal information private no matter what you are doing online;
whether it’s browsing, using social media, checking e-mail, banking, or working
within your home network and its connected devices.
• Taking a few precautions will help make it much more difficult to become a
victim for cybercriminals to exploit. Suggestions will be given to learn how to
recognize and avoid becoming a victim of phishing messages.
No session documents with malicious links available💣
8:30 A.M.
– 9:45 A.M. The Case of the Missing Dollars: A MAXIS to DCYF
Reconciliation Mystery
Presented
by: Scott Wotzka, DCYF Treasury Offset Program Coordinator/Claims Specialist
and Katie Davis, DCYF Economic Support Unit
Step-by-step workflow of a detective investigation where
staff are "financial
detectives" uncovering the trail of claim payments and solving the mystery of
accurate billing and reconciliation.
- 🕵️♂️ Chapter 1: The First Clue – Posting the Payment in MAXIS
- “Follow the
money to where it enters the system... Was it voluntary or intercepted?”
- 🧾 Chapter 2: The Invoice Riddle – DCYF Sends a Message
- “Each
month, the Department leaves a trail of numbers. What do they really
mean?”
- 📂 Chapter 3: Evidence Review – County Reconciliation Begins
- “With your
ledger in hand, compare the data. Are the case details telling the whole
truth?”
- 📞 Chapter 4: Interrogating the Evidence – Contacting DCYF
- “Something’s
not adding up. Time to call HQ and get to the bottom of this.”
- ✅ Chapter 5: Closing the Case – Remitting and Filing
- “The
mystery is solved, and the books are balanced... until next month.”
👉 Click here for session documents New Updated 8/23/25
8:30 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. MCHHSA 101
Presented by: Shelley Koen, MnPrairie, and Emily Ehnes,
Sherburne County
You’re invited to crack the case of MCHHSA! Join our lead
investigators Shelley Koen (MNPrairie) & Emily Ehnes (Sherburne County) to
learn more about all the benefits of MCHHSA and how to keep up on the latest
changes. Are you puzzled about the roles of MCHHSA committees? Wondering who
does what among officers and directors? Curious about Trimin or what MnCCC
membership really means? Emily and Shelley will walk you through the case files
– revealing the clues behind the benefits of each committee; the responsibilities of the
officers and directors; the link between Trimin and MnCCC memberships.
Bring your burning questions — no mystery too small. Whether
you're new on the scene or a seasoned sleuth, this session is your chance to
solve it all. This is a great opportunity to connect, collaborate, and
uncover the full picture. Don’t miss your chance to put the pieces
together!
👉 Click here for session documents
10:00 A.M. – 11:15 A.M. Department
of Health: Can we solve this mystery? Whitebirch
I
Presented
by: Dee Finley, Paula Naughton, Fred Ndip, Heather Myhre, and Ann March
Don’t have a “Clue”
about MDH grants? You are probably not alone. Join us learn to more about a few
MDH grants and participate in a listening session on what works, what doesn’t
and what we can do better. Staff from the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities
(FPHR) Grant, Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) Grant and the CHB
annual reporting team will be available to provide information and answer your
questions. Other staff will be available to hear your ideas and provide overall
MDH grant updates. This session will be repeated so you do not need to attend
both.
- DeeAnn Finley,
Planning Director, MDH Public Health Strategy and Partnership Division
- Paula
Naughton, Director, Grants Office, MDH Financial Management Division
- Fred Ndip,
Community Initiatives Supervisor, Office of Statewide Health Improvement
Initiatives (OSHII), MDH Health Promotion Chronic Disease Division
- Heather Myhre,
FPHR Grants Specialist Coordinator, MDH Public Health Strategy and
Partnership Division
- Ann March,
Annual Reporting Coordinator, MDH Public Health Strategy and Partnership
Division
👉 Click here for session documents Updated 8/23/25
10:00 A.M. – 11:15 A.M. Unraveling
the Case - SSIS TCM Tips and Tricks Pelican Room
Presented
by: Audrey Norberg and Kacey Volkers, Stearns County
Stearns County is back on the case to share
evidence they have found to improve TCM revenues! Included in the presentation
will be TCM Revenue Enhancement PowerPoint Presentations, a Claim Proofing
Guide, Claiming Tip Sheets, and information on how Revenues are Monitored for
Overall Performance.
👉 Click here for session documents
10:00 A.M.
– 11:15 A.M. Human Services
Accounting and Auditing
Presented by: CliftonLarsonAllen - Eric
Smedsrud, CPA Manager, and Troy Gabler, CPA
Hear from two
experienced local government audit managers on what auditors expect to see for
internal controls in your departments and how to implement the changes you need
to make to have proper segregation of duties. We will also talk through how to
properly account for and report your various federal and state grants for the
audit, as well as go over some of the typical challenges you might face as you
prepare for your yearly audit. Finally, we will also be covering the reasoning
behind why an indirect cost allocation plan is required for your County and
what goes into creating it.
Eric Smedsrud is a
manager in our state and local government group and works out of our Brainerd
office. He has 6 years of experience in government auditing and financial
reporting. Throughout his career, Eric has always sought to help teach anyone
willing to learn about the innerworkings of accounting and auditing so that
they may help better themselves in their own inspired careers.
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M – 12:45 P.M. Control, Learning, Understanding, Evaluate (Office
of the State Auditor)
Presented
by: Lisa Young, OSA Director of
Standards and Procedures, and
Julie Blaha, State Auditor
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M.
– 12:45 P.M. Minnesota Estate Recovery Program
Presented by: Mark Eekhoff. Staff Attorney, DHS Special Recovery
Unit
This session will
discuss the current laws and policies of Minnesota’s Estate Recovery Program,
touching on current issues and topics. Questions from the county sleuths are
welcomed!
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M.
– 12:45 P.M. Department of Health: Can we solve this
mystery? (Repeat
session)
Presented
by: Dee Finley, Paula Naughton, Fred Ndip, Heather Myhre, and Ann March
Don’t have a “Clue”
about MDH grants? You are probably not alone. Join us learn to more about a few
MDH grants and participate in a listening session on what works, what doesn’t
and what we can do better. Staff from the Foundational Public Health Responsibilities
(FPHR) Grant, Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) Grant and the CHB
annual reporting team will be available to provide information and answer your
questions. Other staff will be available to hear your ideas and provide overall
MDH grant updates. This session will be repeated so you do not need to attend
both.
- DeeAnn Finley,
Planning Director, MDH Public Health Strategy and Partnership Division
- Paula
Naughton, Director, Grants Office, MDH Financial Management Division
- Fred Ndip,
Community Initiatives Supervisor, Office of Statewide Health Improvement
Initiatives (OSHII), MDH Health Promotion Chronic Disease Division
- Heather Myhre,
FPHR Grants Specialist Coordinator, MDH Public Health Strategy and
Partnership Division
- Ann March,
Annual Reporting Coordinator, MDH Public Health Strategy and Partnership
Division
1:45 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Get
a CLUE about Adult Mental Health Initiative (AMHI) and Community Support
Program (CSP) Funding
Presented by: Breanna
Bertolli, AMHI & CSP Program, Policy & Grant Management Lead,
Behavioral Health Administration
Was it
Colonel Mustard in the clubhouse seeking out client flex funds? Or Miss Scarlet
in the state office with a
funding
proposal? The truth is out there, and this session has the clues you need to
make it all make sense.
Step into
the world of regional collaborations and community-based services as we
investigate how the Adult
Mental
Health Initiative (AMHI) and Community Support Program funding is designed to
improve and maintain a
mental
health service delivery system for adults with serious and persistent mental
illness across Minnesota.
Like any
good mystery, the programs are complex, but with a little sleuthing you will leave
this session knowing:
·
The history of AMHI
and CSP
·
Funding sources and
how they can be used
·
Tips for submitting
complete and accurate reimbursement reports
·
What the future
holds for AMHI and CSP
Bring your
magnifying glass and your curiosity—mysteries are best solved together through
interactive
discussion!
We encourage participants to come with questions, puzzles, or clues of their
own about AMHI and
CSP. No
question is too small or obscure when you’re on the case.
👉 Click here for session documents
1:45 P.M. – 3:00 P.M. Time Management and Remote
Working
Presented
by: Nancy Walker
Time Time Time – it just seems we do not have enough time. This
session will focus on the pitfalls of time management. It will help you
identify causes of procrastination and indecision, pinpoint personal
time-wasters and increase your concentration and focus. This session provides
actionable steps to reclaim time, reduce stress, and achieve greater success in
professional and personal life. Now lets throw in remote work! Remote
work provides significant flexibility, but it also presents unique
challenges for maintaining productivity and managing time effectively. This
session provides practical strategies to navigate the distractions of working
from home and structure your workday for maximum output.
Nancy Walker has
been with Southwest Health and Human Services for over 30 years and is
currently the Deputy Director. She held several public health/human services
positions such as child support officer, collection services supervisor,
director of business management as well as done contract work for public health
and other human services agencies. She is well versed in all aspects of human
resource management from “Hire to Retire”. Nancy’s motto is “Do what you
love and you will never work a day in your life!” Nancy has presented on
various human resource topics at several conference on topics such as
Generations in the Workplace, HR for supervisors/managers, DEI, and Unconscious
Bias. She holds a master’s degree in Business Management and is certified
as a SHRM-SCP.
👉Click here for session documents
1:45 P.M. –
3:00 P.M. UCare Mystery
Uncovered
Welcome,
detectives! In this mystery-themed session, Kathy Campeau and Maryann Mickelson
will explore the hidden rooms and secret passages of the UCare Provider
Website, Provider Portal, and UCare Operations important to
our partnership.
Together,
we’ll crack the case on:
- ✅ Authorizations – What services
need approval and how to get it.
- ✅ Managing Your Information –
When and where to go to tell us of changes.
- 🧾 Claim Operations – Who filed
it, when, and how it’s processed.
- 🧰 Service Support – Where to go
when things go missing (like requests, payments, EOPs, or information!).
- 📇 Key Contacts – Who’s your go-to
when you need help solving provider puzzles.
Grab
your magnifying glass and join us as we unravel the clues to working seamlessly
with UCare!
Kathy is
the Provider Liaison in the Conservatory with the Key Contacts. She is
known for unlocking solutions with the right connections, Kathy brings energy
and insight to every provider interaction. Like a strategic player in a game of
Clue, she works behind the scenes, making the right calls, coordinating with
key departments, and keeping communication flowing. Whether she’s resolving an
issue or building strong relationships, Kathy is always in the right place at
the right time — with the keys to make things happen.
Maryann is
the Provider Liaison in the Library with the Contract. In the mansion of
healthcare, Maryann is the go-to sleuth—piecing together clues, solving
puzzles, and always asking the right questions. Starting her journey as a
Nursing Home Administrator, she spent 7 years managing care and operations with
precision and heart. Her path led her to Evercare Minnesota, where she embarked
on a 17-year odyssey through Sales, Provider Liaison, and Contracting
roles—each one revealing new pieces of the provider puzzle. At Optage, as a
Developer, she cracked the case on expanding Primary Care Services for home and
community-based clients.
For the
past 5 years at UCare, Maryann has been the detective on the provider
beat—educating partners, strengthening relationships, and demystifying complex
systems. Whether she’s in the office, out in the field, or on a call, Maryann
is always hot on the trail of better outcomes.
👉 Click here for session documents
3:15 P.M. – 4:30 P.M. MCHHSA Business Meeting
The game is afoot and you’re invited to help
solve the case! We’ll gather the
suspects (that’s us!) and uncover the latest developments on the agenda. Every
detail counts – no magnifying glass required!
One exceptional member has left a trail of
dedication and service. We’ll reveal the identity of the MCHHSA Member of the
Year with a grand plaque presentation. Who could it be? Colonel Mustard in the
Boardroom?
What’s in the envelope? Who will crack the
case and walk away with the ultimate reward? Don’t miss the grand prize drawing
– you might just be the lucky sleuth!
Be sure to attend – your presences is
elementary dear member!
👉Click here for session documents
Wednesday
– August 27, 2025
8:30 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. Incivility
in the Workplace
Presented by: Nancy Walker
Everyone plays a role in transforming workplaces to be more civil, one
conversation at a time. We are seeing rise in of incivility in workplace as it
mirrors the increasing lack of incivility in society at large and is attributed
to a number of factors, including that most ubiquitous of culprit: social
media. As an HR professional the term is a frequent complaint received in the
workplace. This presentation will talk through five clear, actionable steps to
turn tough talks into teamwork, discord into dialogue, and conflict into
opportunity, ultimately setting teams up for success. We all know that by
actively cultivating civil environments within individual teams, we can
collectively ensure respectful and productive interactions across departments
and throughout organizations. Every
leader and team has a crucial role to play, and fostering civility is a
commitment the entire organization must embrace. This presentation will also
include a table top exercise Cards against Incivility to practice civil
dialogue on your team.
Nancy Walker has
been with Southwest Health and Human Services for over 30 years and is
currently the Deputy Director. She held several public health/human services
positions such as child support officer, collection services supervisor,
director of business management as well as done contract work for public health
and other human services agencies. She is well versed in all aspects of human
resource management from “Hire to Retire”. Nancy’s motto is “Do what you
love and you will never work a day in your life!” Nancy has presented on
various human resource topics at several conference on topics such as
Generations in the Workplace, HR for supervisors/managers, DEI, and Unconscious
Bias. She holds a master’s degree in Business Management and is certified
as a SHRM-SCP.
👉 Click here for session documents
8:30 A.M.
– 9:45 A.M. Get a CLUE about Title IV-E
Presented
by: Paula Katzenmeyer & Debbie Retterat[JA1] h,
DCYF Title IV-E Eligibility Determination Trainers
Step into the
mystery mansion of Title IV-E as we guide counties through a strategic
investigation to master eligibility and reimbursement requirements. Much like
Colonel Mustard in the Billiard Room, each participant will uncover essential
clues to accurately execute Title IV-E eligibility and claiming.
Together, we’ll
solve the puzzle of the Child Foster Care Report—identifying and clearing
proofing messages that could otherwise be the candlestick in the library,
holding up your claiming process. By the end of the session, you’ll be equipped
to the twists and turns of federal Title IV-E reimbursement and
claiming with the confidence of Professor Plum in the Study.
Get ready to gather
the facts, eliminate errors, and emerge as the ultimate detective in the case
of successful Title IV-E claims!
👉 Click here for session documents EDT Map
👉 Click here for session documents
👉 Click here for session documents IVE FC Resources
8:30 A.M. – 9:45 A.M. Unraveling the Case - SSIS
TCM Tips and Tricks (repeat
session)
Presented
by: Audrey Norberg and Kacey Volkers, Stearns County
Stearns County is back on the case to share
evidence they have found to improve TCM revenues. Included in the presentation
will be TCM Revenue Enhancement PowerPoint Presentations, a Claim Proofing
Guide, Claiming Tip Sheets, and information on how Revenues are Monitored for
Overall Performance.
👉 Click here for session documents
10:00 A.M. – 11:15 A.M. Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Forensics: Cracking the
Code on the Allocation and Claiming Pelican
Room
Presented
by: Sarah Barth, DCYF and Summer Harrison, DCYF Grants and Allocations
Supervisor
Sarah Barth is a Family Preservation Consultant with the Department of
Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), where she specializes in the fiscal side
of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). For the past 1.5 years,
Sarah has served as the agency’s lead sleuth on FFPSA fiscal policy—unraveling
the mystery of IV-E claiming for FFPSA prevention services, managing the FFPSA
allocation, and overseeing Parents as Teachers contracts.
Before joining DCYF, Sarah sharpened her investigative skills in a
small county setting, where she supervised all social services programs and
navigated the maze of allocations and grant funding. Her passion lies in family
preservation, and she believes that unlocking the full potential of funding
opportunities is key to supporting that mission. With a sharp eye for detail
and a heart for prevention, Sarah is always ready to follow the fiscal clues to
find solutions that strengthen families and systems.
👉 Click here for session documents
10:00 A.M.
– 11:15 A.M. Fraud Prevention
Presented by: Crystal Herman, DHS – Office
of Inspector General (OIG)
The presentation will provide an overview of the DHS Fraud Prevention
Investigation (FPI) Program including funding sources and indicators of a
successful county operated FPI program.
The presentation will also address indicators of potential fraud in
public assistance programs, the FPI investigative process and potential
investigative outcomes, burdens of proof to establish fraud/Intentional Program
Violations and disqualification penalties when fraud has been identified.
Crystal graduated from North Dakota State University in 2005 with a
B.S. in Criminal Justice. Crystal was employed with the Otter Tail County
Attorney’s Office from 2005-2024, first as their Collections Officer and then
transitioned into the Investigator/Collections Officer role in 2020. During her
time at Otter Tail County, Crystal
was responsible for the collection of county debt, predominately in the
area of public assistance recipient overpayments and MA estate recovery,
conducting recipient fraud investigations and overseeing all aspects of the
county’s Fraud Prevention Investigations (FPI) grant. Currently, at MN DHS-OIG,
Crystal is responsible for directing and administering the DHS FPI program.
Crystal has served as the President of the Minnesota County Recovery
Association as well as Outstate Director, Secretary/Treasurer and President of
the Minnesota Fraud Investigators Association. Crystal also served as a
Director and Treasurer of the United Council on Welfare Fraud.
👉Click here for session documents
10:00 A.M.
– 11:15 A.M. Social Service Time Study (SSTS):
Uncover the Mystery
Just like the classic board game brought to
life in the 1985 film, solving the SSTS mystery means knowing the who, what,
and where.
In this
session, we’ll unravel the clues and give you the full picture—no need to take
a wild guess! Here's a sneak peek:
- Who did it? Was
it Professor Plum or Mrs. White? Not quite—but identifying the correct
social services staff is a key part of the process.
- Where did it happen? The
kitchen? The library? No—it happens in your county, where the real
work takes place.
- With what? A
wrench or a rope? Not this time. It’s all done using random moments—the
core method behind SSTS data collection.
Whether
you're new and want to learn how it works, or you're looking for a refresher,
we’ll break down how all the pieces fit together to support quarterly
reimbursements and TCM (Targeted Case Management) rate setting.
Roll the
dice and step into the room—your next clue awaits!
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M.
– 12:45 P.M. Cost Allocation Plans and County-wide
Indirect Charges and Reimbursement
Presented by: Dennis Pond, President, Government Management Group (GMG) and Nancy Fischer, DHS Federal Time Studies Program Accountant
Put on your detective hat and grab your
magnifying glass—this session is all about uncovering the hidden clues in
county finance.
Dennis Pond will open the case with an
overview of cost allocation plans, shining a light on the often-overlooked
world of allowable building project costs. He’ll reveal how these figures
influence county planning decisions,
including the big question: How much rent
should Auditor/Treasurer departments charge Health and Human Services?
Then, Nancy will step in with the next lead:
an inside look at county-wide indirect reimbursements. She’ll teach you how to
interrogate the quarterly IMCA report, giving you the tools to track the flow
of funds and follow the money trail like a true financial sleuth.
Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned
investigator, this session will help you crack the code behind
interdepartmental charges and reimbursements.
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M.
– 12:45 P.M. PERA - From Hire to Retire
Presented
by: Jenelle Thelen
The From
Hire to Retire program is for members to begin their education on PERA
benefits. The program is designed for new PERA members, those who are close to
retirement, and everyone in between! The PERA pension is discussed in detail,
including how it fits into an overall retirement plan. PERA’s pension benefit
options, life changes that affect PERA, decisions members must make, and
self-service tools are highlighted.
👉 Click here for session documents
11:30 A.M. – 12:45 P.M.
Legal Enhancement and Advocacy for Families (LEAF) – Reducing
placement and enhancing outcomes through high quality representation in child
protection cases
Presented
by: Aaron Yliniemi, DCYF, and Summer Harrison, DCYF Grants and Allocations
Supervisor
CLUE: Just as
skilled detectives follow clues; high-quality legal representation is the key
to better outcomes and reduced out-of-home placements in child protection
cases. This session explores who provides this vital representation and how it
acts as a crucial "clue" in lowering foster care costs by
accelerating permanency through reunification, TPLPC, or adoption. Discover
where this essential representation begins and how it fosters fairness and
participation for families. Learn how your county can build a LEAF program to
access Title IV-E funding, empowering effective advocacy and ultimately
strengthening families across Minnesota, one crucial "clue" at a
time.
👉 Click here for session documents
2025 Conference Information
2025 MCHHSA Conference Letter
2025 MCHHSA Tentative Agenda as of 8/18
