Alright – so, I am totally retired now. If you understand the system in how state agencies are supposed to work in Minnesota for Autism, then you know that Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is the agency that is supposed to provide information to autism families or anyone who has a child with special needs. They get federal funds from Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to do this.
Years ago, I and others in the Somali community (Hassan and Anab) have advocated with HRSA to hold MDH accountable. MDH hired a Somali (Asli) to help autism families and provided small grants to support this effort. But just like anything else in this state of 10,000 racial disparities, if you are not constantly asking for fairness, the oppressor forgets and pretends the problems do not exist. I think Asli retired. The people I have advocated with at HRSA Diane and Denise have also retired. I have now retired and MDH is missing in action as usual.
Ugh, this is soooooo frustrating. When will Minnesota state agencies simply do what they are supposed and get funded to do for minority autism families without us having a meltdown and constantly advocating.
There are at least three Somali autism advocacy agencies, but it will take time for them to digest all of the ways to advocate. I am cofident they will get it and start going back to the do nothing about autsim agency MDH to do its job and give families the information they need.
The above words do not reflect any candidate, agency, or committee.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Retired Advocate