Conference planning continues. We have chosen the theme: Fall into knowledge. The board has been busy working hard on finding training topics and entertainment. Looks like there will be local attraction tours and BINGO!! Vendors wanted for Conference. If you know of anyone that wants to participate in the vendor area of conference please have them sign up. If you have any questions please reach out to your region representative. On May 13 th MFWCAA was lucky enough to have Dr. Jody Janati present a virtual WebEx for members. Based on the surveys we received; members were happy that she was real and kept their attention. If you have ideas for future trainings please contact your region representative. June 15 th -August 15 th -We will open the nominations for MFWCAA’s 2026 FW/CA award. If you know of someone that goes above and beyond as a financial worker or Case aide make sure you give them a nomination. We all know how stressful our jobs can be. This award acknowledges their hard work and dedication to our field. Call for region reps! We have a mixture of in-person and virtual monthly meetings. It is a great opportunity to network with reps from throughout the whole state of MN and representatives from DHS/DCYF. Come join the fun we have open region representative spots for regions 1-Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau 3 -Aitkin, Bois Forte, Carlton, Cook, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake,St. Louis, 8-Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lower Sioux, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Rock 9- Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, MN Prairie Alliance-Waseca Office, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, Watonwan 10- Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn,Goodhue, Houston, MN Prairie Alliance-Mantorville/Owatonna Offices, Mower, Olmsted,Prairie Island, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Winona. Contact myself or any board member if youhave any questions! Respectfully, Angella Blanshan MFWCAA President
Most people know MFWCAA for the annual conference, but the real value of membership happens all year long. With workloads growing, budgets tightening, and policy shifts happening nonstop, consistent support matters more than ever. Here’s a look at how MFWCAA works for you from January through December. 1. Training doesn’t stop after the conference. Teletrainings, regional sessions, and new recordings are added throughout the year. Members can log in anytime to catch up, rewind, and rewatch tough topics. 2. You get access to updated tools and policy resources. When a major change hits — whether it’s SNAP, METS, CCAP, or something else — members can check the site for updates and materials that help cut through confusion. 3. Regional support keeps you connected. Your Regional Rep is there when you need help, clarity, or a sounding board. Regional meetings offer a place to trade ideas and get real answers from people who understand the work. 4. Scholarships and awards recognize members and their families. Whether you’re pursuing your own education or have a family member heading to college, MFWCAA scholarships can help. Awards highlight the financial workers and case aides who make an impact every day — the ones who rarely get the spotlight but deserve it. 5. A growing Members Area with resources you can actually use The new site makes it easier to find: • meeting notes • teletraining recordings • policy materials • forms and documents • updates from across the state The goal is simple: give you what you need, when you need it. A community built around supporting each other This work can be heavy. It helps to have a place where people understand what you deal with — deadlines, complex cases, tight timelines, and the pressure to get things right for families who rely on you. MFWCAA is here to make the load a little lighter and give you real support all year, not just during the conference. If you’re a member, take a moment to explore all the resources waiting for you. If you’re not, it might be a good time to join.
Minnesota is a big state, and every county has its own way of working through challenges. That’s why MFWCAA has Regional Representatives — real people you can reach out to when you need help, advice, or a place to talk through something that’s giving you trouble. Many members don’t realize just how helpful their rep can be. So here’s a quick breakdown. Your rep is your go-to resource. Not sure where to find something? Need to confirm whether a policy update is being handled the same way in other counties? Want to know when the next regional meeting is? Your rep can point you in the right direction faster than digging through emails or searching old notes. They also help bring your voice forward. Regional feedback plays a big part in how MFWCAA plans training topics, conference sessions, and advocacy priorities. Reps pass along what’s happening in your county so the full board gets a clearer picture of what workers and case aides are dealing with day to day. Regional meetings = shared knowledge. Some of the best problem-solving happens in these sessions. Workers swap tips, talk through tricky policies, and find out what’s working well in other parts of the state. If you haven’t joined one yet, it’s worth trying at least once. Find your rep The new website has an updated list of Regional Representatives with contact info for each county. If you haven’t connected with yours yet, feel free to reach out — they’re genuinely here to help. Staying connected makes this work less stressful and a lot more manageable. Your rep is one of the easiest ways to build that connection.
