Minnesota is facing several complex issues that affect Minnesotans’ ability to get timely, quality, and culturally relevant behavioral health services. Addressing those issues with compassion is the top priority of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Now, for the first time in department history, there is an entire administration dedicated solely to behavioral health.
This past summer, DHS began some significant transitions. Several youth-focused programs became the basis of a new agency, the Department of Children, Youth and Families, while the department’s Direct Care and Treatment programs also took initial steps to become their own agency in 2025. While these larger transitions were happening, it gave DHS an opportunity to look at how our remaining programs are structured, and how we can better organize our work to improve programs for partners, providers, and the people we serve.
We are working to ensure that individuals facing behavioral health challenges receive the compassionate care they deserve.On July 1, 2024, DHS launched the new Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). The creation of this new administration will put enhanced focus on the increase in behavioral health needs Minnesota has experienced coming out of the pandemic. It will also streamline our work with DHS’ Central Grants and Contracts team to redesign grant processes and will help us work with the department’s Health Care Administration on new Medicaid waivers and State Plan Amendments that affect behavioral health services.
In the months and years to come, BHA will be working with partners to:
- Shore up the workforce so providers can hire staff to operate at full capacity
- Secure funding to expand our programs to underserved areas of the state
- Ensure our programs are providing services that are equitable and inclusive
- Increase our numbers of culturally specific providers
- Expand early intervention options to better meet community needs.
The launch of the BHA is more than an organizational change; it is a heartfelt commitment to enhancing the support available to everyone in our communities. We are working to ensure that individuals facing behavioral health challenges receive the compassionate care they deserve, whether they are seeking prevention resources, treatment options, or recovery support.
As the new assistant commissioner of BHA, I am honored to lead this work. I understand the wide-ranging impacts of substance use disorder and mental illness, but I also know the strength and resilience that individuals and families demonstrate every day. Together, we can build a brighter future for people seeking recovery in Minnesota.
In my previous role as director of Wisconsin’s Bureau of Prevention, Treatment and Recovery, I focused on fostering collaboration among community partners, health care providers, and individuals with lived experience. This collaborative spirit will guide our work here in Minnesota as we strive to build an integrated system that truly meets people’s needs. Your experiences and insights are invaluable as we shape policies and programs that reflect what is most important to those in recovery.
I’m also excited to share that as part of this reorganization, we are expanding our focus within BHA in areas such as crisis transformation, peer and recovery supports, and school-based behavioral health. To build out these teams, we are hiring individuals who are passionate about behavioral health and committed to supporting recovery. If you or someone you know is interested in making a difference, I encourage you to explore these opportunities on the state of Minnesota’s jobs webpage at mn.gov/mmb/careers.
I am excited about the journey ahead and the opportunity to support individuals and families in our state. The Behavioral Health Administration is here to champion people in recovery, and to support all pathways that get people to where they want to be. Thank you for your courage, resilience, and support as we work together to build a brighter future for behavioral health in Minnesota.
Teresa Steinmetz is assistant commissioner of the Behavioral Health Administration at the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Last Updated on November 11, 2024