How Do We Get an Invitation – Commissioner Ehlinger

Then I thought – oh boy he is going to yell at me for my east coast flavor blogs which I say how Minn health department has failed miserably in minority health from autism to everything else. In fact, for over ten years, the state health department has done a horrible job in their EHDI (Eliminating Health Disparities initiative).

But in all honesty, it was a nice lunch and I like Commissioner Ehlinger a little now which makes even harder to blog about his policies. (note to self, don’t have lunch with Jesson)

All kidding aside, I would like to know as a Black autism mom – how exactly do we get an invitation from your child and maternal health department? They for some reason see communities of color as inferior, they always neglect or dismiss our ideas and needs. For over two years now, we can’t even get them to follow the simple CLAS standards in their main phone line or website. Very easy to do, but defensive and resistance has been their view from every corner. Now, MCH has always been like this even under Commissioner Magnan/Pawlenty administration. The difference was with them – we were able to get someone from the Governor’s office to put them into shape or Commissioner Magnan took charge. Dayton’s office always tells us (well let’s not even go there) and you simply keep referring us back to them. This is not working Dr. Ehlinger because children are being neglected and families are desperate to learn about autism services and resources.

So, I ask – how we get an invitation to be a partner rather than a 3/5th of a community?

Below pictures are only few decades ago and while the tactics were different and more direct racism. Today’s bias is you are not good enough, not qualified, Let’s fund us to tell you about you, we forgot to tell you about this resources, service or include you or my fav – we care about diversity. But our staff, our grantees and our process is not really diverse, but we really really care.

At some point, you as the head of the state health agency must say this is not working and we need not talking at communities of color, but talking with and partnering with them. We are simply tired of mainstream folks talking and doing for us, about us and without us. 

One of my questions for you was – how come you did not hire an assistant commissioner that was African American given the horrible disparity in our community. And – you said “you asked 5, but none wanted the job”. Think about the fact that you only know small number of qualified African Americans. Think about the fact that there is never ever ever a person of color policy adviser for MDH at state Capitol where all state resources and decisions are made. Think about the fact that even in MDH refugee dept lacks faces from the communities it serves. It is like trying to catch your tail. Students are never hired, staff is never promoted, our community is never given the first chance – so how can they possibly make it to the commissioner level? They can’t – right. No one is born an expert, people are given opportunities and it just seems that at MDH equal opportunities in employment, in grants, in policy is scarce and unequal.

So, I ask again how do we get invited to have equal access and equal treatment under your administration? What do we need to do to overcome subtle bias and persistent prejudice that still linger and enhance health disparity and health discrimination at MDH?

Thanks much.

Idil – Somali Autism Mom  – determined to fight for minority autism families and children from every river, valley and mountain. 

Through drenching rain
and freezing cold, I will overcome.