Community Health Workers
The community health workers team helps individuals and families with health resources. They can provide you with:
- Food resources
- Dental and health appointments
- Rent, utilities and housing information
If you're interested in working with a community health worker, please contact us at 952-891-7500 or fill out our online referral form.
What we help with
Our team members can help you and your community with health education, social support and advocacy.
This includes:
- Public health and county resources (food, health appointments, housing and insurance)
- Home visits
- Child and teen checkups
- Car seats
- Immunization and vaccine education
- Refugee health screening
- Infectious disease monitoring and management
- Screening and referral for diagnostics and treatment (ex: TB, STD/STI)
- Direct observation therapy
- Mothers and Babies program
Our team speaks several languages, including English, Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Swahili, Garri, Oromo and Borana.
Recent news and events
Get health care from home
You do not always have to come in person to get care. Members of Minnesota Health Care Programs can get many health care services from home using their phone or computer. This is called telehealth. Call your clinic, healthcare provider or health plan for help setting up a telehealth visit. They can help you understand your options and what care can be done from home.
Changes to MinnesotaCare for people with and without legal status
MinnesotaCare offers free or lower cost health insurance to people without other health insurance options who live in Minnesota. In 2025, MinnesotaCare updated its rules for people without legal status:
- Kids under the age of 18 who are undocumented and from low-income families will keep their coverage and can continue to apply and gain new eligibility. After coverage begins for eligible undocumented kids, it can last up until the month after a child's 18th birthday.
- Adults who are undocumented are no longer covered. Emergency Medical Assistance remains available for people who are undocumented. This program pays for emergency care. Learn more on the Emergency Medical Assistance webpage.
More options if you need care and have no insurance:
- Emergency Medical Assistance: Remains for undocumented residents. Program pays for emergency care.
- Medical Assistance:
- Any pregnant person regardless of immigration status and for 12 months postpartum or after giving birth. Learn more on the Health care coverage for pregnant people webpage.
- People receiving services at the Center for Victims of Torture.
- Minnesota Health Centers: Help regardless of ability to pay.
- Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program: You could be eligible for low-cost insulin through this program.
Driver's Licenses for All
The Driver's Licenses for All program removes the need to show proof of legal presence in the United States to get a standard Minnesota class D driver's license, instruction permit or standard identification (ID) card.
If you're preparing for your driver's license exam, COPAL can help. Call their team to schedule your appointment and get any help you need. Their phone number is 612-255-3112.
Minnesota's cannabis law: What non-U.S. citizens need to know
The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota created a YouTube presentation that talks about the new cannabis law, what it means for non-U.S. citizens, what you should do if you have a previous marijuana conviction, and what it means for your immigration case.
Resources
Community Health Worker Resource List (Spanish, Somali): Recommended resources for dental, food, health, housing, clothing, immigration, parenting and pregnancy.
Community Resource Guide (Spanish, Somali): County and community services, ranging from crisis, to education, to mental and behavioral health resources.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are the most reported infectious disease in Dakota County and Minnesota. If you are uninsured, there are low-cost STD testing clinics.
Learn more
If you're interested in learning more, contact Lia Roberts.