MN Department of Human Services
Mille Lacs County Family Services Department provides services to Mille Lacs County residents in three primary areas: the provision of public assistance, social services, and child support collection.
Public Assistance is provided by a variety of programs available to low income persons to help them obtain food, shelter, clothing, and medical services. Individuals fill out applications and talk to staff to determine if they qualify for specific programs. If an applicant is eligible, they could have their medical needs met, and receive cash assistance or food stamps, via electronic benefits transfer or direct deposit to a bank account.
Social Services are provided in two ways, directly by the Family Services staff or through purchased services from other public or private vendors.
Examples of direct services are: adult protection; foster care and day care licensing, recruitment and replacement; child protection; and case management for the mentally ill or the developmentally disabled.
Examples of purchased services are: residential treatment for persons with chemical dependency, mental illness, and emotional disturbance; day habilitation and rehabilitation services for the developmentally disabled; alternative care services for the elderly, and child care subsidies.
The goals for all services provided are to promote self-support and self-sufficiency; prevent neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children and adults; preserve families; and provide community-based and institutional care.
Child Support Services are responsible for establishing and enforcing court orders for child support, and establishing paternity for children born out of wedlock. These services are required for persons receiving some forms of public assistance, and are available to anyone who completes the application and pays a fee.