Alright-so, Minnesota department of human services, (DHS) also known as the state Medicaid agency is the state’s largest agency in Minnesota. Lucinda Jesson has been in charge of this agency for the past five years ever since she was hired by Governor Dayton back in 2010. DHS overseas the state’s elderly, the poor and individuals with disabilities including autism. Jesson is moving on up to be a judge and has been appointed by Governor Dayton. The governor has increased diversity on the bench. Jesson replaces Hudson whom Dayton appointed to the state’s Supreme Court, his second Black appointee. Well – how nice, maybe Dayton is coming around in diversity. Minnesota judges don’t represent the state’s diverse population which is sad and is a main source for the unequal justice system.
I have been barking on Jesson’s ears since her first week on the job. In fact, when I heard she was going to the state senate back in 2010 – I went there to make sure she was asked about autism. I wanted autism to be on her radar constantly. Sen Berglin whom I miss very much asked her about autism and Jesson replied “this is my 4th day on the job, but I will look into it”. Jesson has not only looked into autism, but she has changed the landscape of it. Commissioner Jesson has been a champion for children with autism and their families. It is because of her heavy hand, that Governor Dayton and the state legislature approved millions for the new autism benefit we now have in Minnesota. In addition, Jesson added the autism website that is coming soon, created an autism team and added the diversity training for autism providers that is now required for all autism clinics in Minnesota.
In my humble little opinion, Commissioner Jesson has been one of my favorite state agency leaders. She has this amazing ability of separating the issue from the person. For example, no matter how I advocated which is usually in your face – East Coast, I ain’t trying to be your BFF personality, Jesson never took it personally. She always looked at the core of the issue being raised and not who said it or how it was said. In fact, many people are always mad at DHS for something or another, yet Jesson was always cool, calm and collected. She even has a sense of humor. Couple of sessions ago or so, Jesson was testifying in HHS conference committee’s last week. This is when all the i’s and t’s are being done to every policy and law that comes out of the state legislature which makes most people nervous and on edge.
At any rate, Jesson was called by Rep Liebling and as she is walking to sit down, the committees’ staff also walked in and folks in the room started cheering and clapping. You see, the staff are often overwhelmed and overworked during the end of the session and have to be in multiple committees that sometimes happen at the same-time. Jesson put her sense of humor hat on and said “Madam Chair – I realize that cheer is not for me, but for the committee staff”. I don’t know how she did it, but she seemed to know everything that went on at this huge agency that had billions to manage and thousands of people to serve. I don’t even know how she found time for my kazillian autism questions.
Commissioner Jesson, I wish you well and I am sure thousands of Minnesota’s autism children and families will greatly benefit from your autism policies and the roots you planted in DHS. We appreciate all of your work and wish you all the best in your next chapter in life. I am sure you will make a great judge. You certainly have the qualifications and the qualities.
Congratulations and good luck!
Above words do not represent any agency, committee or candidate.
Idil – Somali Autism Mom & Minority Advocate