Jodi Harpstead, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, announced her resignation Monday. She will leave the department Feb. 3.
Gov. Tim Walz appointed Harpstead in 2019 to lead the massive agency, which administers federal health care and food assistance programs, homelessness and housing resources and disability services, among other programs. The agency accounts for nearly one-third of the state budget.
Harpstead oversaw DHS as the Legislature split it in three, placing some of the agency’s responsibilities in the newly-created departments of Children, Youth and Families and Direct Care and Treatment.
“I’m pleased that we were able to balance new, stronger process controls with greater responsiveness to community partners, worked with the DHS grants and contracts team to imagine a re-design of the agency’s thousands of grants, and built an unparalleled team of strong senior leaders,” Harpstead said in a press release announcing her departure.
The agency faced criticism during Harpstead’s tenure for its failure to follow its own grant management policies. An April 2024 audit found that the agency didn’t follow procedures for avoiding conflicts of interest and gauging whether nonprofits were financially stable enough to receive state grants.
The agency has also struggled to rein in fraud in recent years. DHS had contracts with more than two dozen individuals facing criminal charges in the Feeding our Future fraud case. DHS is also investigating a bevy of autism service providers on suspicion of fraud.
Gov. Tim Walz announced an anti-fraud initiative earlier this month, including an executive order and proposed legislation to catch and stop the theft of public money from safety net programs after numerous audits, prosecutions and investigations uncovered massive fraud schemes that have misappropriated hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars.
Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Minnesota Reformer maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor J. Patrick Coolican for questions: info@minnesotareformer.com.
-
Plus: State officials say proposed cuts to the federal energy assistance program will disproportionately affect Northern Minnesotan families and ratepayers; residents of an unorganized St. Louis County township voted to incorporate as a new town; and construction on Highway 87 in Hubbard County begins May 19, 2025. -
Contributed/Jimmy Emerson DVM via FlickrWith cuts to federal and state funding expected, Beltrami County is starting its annual budget a few weeks early this year, as discussed in a May 6, 2025, work session. -
Contributed/University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin LibraryIn October 1918, flames swept across northeastern Minnesota in what became the deadliest natural disaster in state history. More than 450 people died; 52,000 were displaced, and entire communities were reduced to ash. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEOpen water fishing season is here in Northern Minnesota! We want to hear your memorable fishing experiences for our Question of the Week. -
Contributed/MnDOTMinnesota Department of Transportation crews plan to reconstruct Highway 87 near Hubbard, with project details including culvert replacements and new curb and gutter. -
ContributedResidents of St. Louis County's Unorganized Township 63-17 petitioned the county last year to incorporate as a town and cast ballots in a special election on May 13, 2025. -
Contributed/Minnesota News ConnectionThe Minnesota Department of Commerce warns that eliminating the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, would especially impact Northern Minnesota families and utility ratepayers. -
Contributed/Nicole Neri / Minnesota Reformer
With four days left in the legislative session, the agreement does not appear to have the support required to pass the Senate. A special session is likely. -
Jen Kellen/KAXEBeltrami County Master Gardeners Dan Sherman and John Reff joined the "KAXE Morning Show" to discuss their upcoming plant sale. -
Contributed/Lorie ShaullRetired wildlife biologist Pam Perry joined the "KAXE Morning Show" to share what birds and other wildlife she's been seeing during this month of May.
