Social Services

Social Service is divided into 3 divisions:

  • Human Services
  • Cash, Food and Medical Assistance
  • Child Support

Family Services Center

What to do if your Employment or Income has been affected by COVID-19

If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you may apply for unemployment benefits. For more information regarding this please visit the MN Unemployment Insurance Website. 

If you would like to apply for any of the other programs available through our offices such as SNAP, Adult or Family Cash Assistance, or Child Care Assistance please see our How to Apply for Social Service Benefits Page or apply at MNBenefits.mn.gov.

For information on how to apply for Medical Assistance, this can be done online at MNSure.org, we would be happy to mail you an application, or they are available in paper version outside the Family Services Building as our office is now closed to the public.

 Any questions or concerns please contact us at 320-693-5300.

Meeker MN Benefits contact page

Meeker County COVID-19 Resource List

Meeker County COVID-19 Resource List (PDF)

Meeker County COVID-19 Resource Flyer (PDF)

This list was developed by Meeker County Public Health in cooperation with community partners to provide a comprehensive list of resources available to our community members. This list is updated frequently. If you have suggestions for additional resources to be included, please contact Pam Bagley at pam.bagley@co.meeker.mn.us.

DRAFT- 2024-25 Meeker County Child Care Fund Plan

For public review and comment through August 11, 2023. For questions please contact LoAnn Shepard, Eligibility Supervisor, at LoAnn.Shepard@co.meeker.mn.us or 320-693-5311.

DRAFT 2024-2025 Meeker County MFIP Biennial Service Agreement

Meeker County 2024-25 Meeker County MFIP Biennial Service Agreement is posted above. Public comment is being elicited on this proposed service agreement through October 8, 2023. Please address any comments to LoAnn Shepard, Eligibility Supervisor, via email (loann.shepard@co.meeker.mn.us) or by calling her at 320-693-5311. 

APPROVED 2022-2023 Biennial Health Care Access Services Plan 

The approved 2022-2023 Biennial Health Care Plan is posted above, to request a paper copy or for questions please contact LoAnn Shepard, Eligibility Supervisor, at loann.shepard@co.meeker.mn.us, or by calling 320-693-5311. 


 

Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment

All reports of Maltreatment of a Vulnerable Adult need to be reported to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). Toll free at 1-844-880-1574.  Maltreatment can include self neglect, care giver neglect, emotional/mental abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse and financial exploitation.
Disability Linkage Line


Disability Linkage Line is a free, statewide information and referral resource for all your disability-related questions. Anyone can call and there are no wrong questions! We make it easy for you to explore available options and chose the services that are right for you. Call the toll-free number 866-332-2466 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email Disability Linkage Line with questions.

Discrimination

Meeker County Social Services is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, political beliefs or disability. Meeker County Social Services is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Citizens with general information requests, can email the department with questions. Click Quick Links on the bottom right to see our Comprehensive Civil Rights Plan.

Southwestern Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium

SMAMHC is one of the 19 Adult Mental Health Initiatives in Minnesota and is an 18-county Joint Power entity. The counties in our region include Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine. SMAMHC is committed to the partnerships and collaboration built with the Counties and Providers in the Southwestern 18-county region. We work together to inspire, provide hope, empowerment, and overall wellness. The SMAMHC is dedicated to improving the mental health of our region through these strong partnerships and planning.                                                                                                      Programs and services we support in our region include:

  • Core Adult Mental Health Services: Assertive Community Treatment, Adult Rehabilitative Mental Health Services, Intensive Residential Treatment, Crisis Stabilization
  • Housing Vouchers: Rental assistance to help maintain community housing; support to West Bridge, a specialized Board and Lodge located in Marshall.
  • Flexible Funds: Limited discretionary funds to meet individual needs of consumers (medication, housing, vocational and general needs)

The Southwestern Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium has monthly meetings held on the 2nd Friday of the month starting at 9:30 a.m. The following is a list of dates for 2023:

January 13th, February 10th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th, June 9th, July 14th, August 11th, September 8th, October 6th *Note this is a change to the 1st Friday of the month and SMAMHC Annual Meeting, November- no meeting, December 8th

If you would like more information on SMAMHC meetings contact Kimberly Holm at Kimberly.holm@smamhc.com

Meeker County LAC (Local Advisory Council)

The Meeker County LAC (Local Advisory Council) is a group of people who discuss and explore adult mental health issues and concerns in our community. The LAC assists in educating the public, informing people of available services, and gathering input and concerns of mental health needs. The LAC makes recommendations to the Meeker County Board of Commissioners to improve mental health services and meet needs. 

 In the fall of 2020, the Meeker LAC joined with the Meeker Cares Community Leadership Team to discuss and identify the mental health needs of members of Meeker County. Meeker Cares' goal is to provide greater well-being, create awareness of trusted community/available resources, and get information of those resources out to members of Meeker County. Meeker LAC and Meeker Cares also collaborate in creating resources for residents. The Meeker Cares resource page is located on this website; click Meeker Cares on the banner at the top of this page.

 For more information, to express concerns or ideas, or become a part of this team serving the Meeker communities, please contact Teresa Pautzke at 320-693-5312 or 320-221-6381.