Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards
The Commissioner's Circle of Excellence Awards recognize excellence among human services providers, counties, Tribal Nations, advocacy groups and other organizations that work in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services to help people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential.
Organizations, counties and Tribal Nations recognized with Commissioner's Circle of Excellence Awards demonstrate significant initiative and/or innovation in serving people DHS supports. See below for the full criteria. While individual people also make marked differences in the lives of Minnesotans, these awards celebrate organizations, counties and Tribal Nations. Please do not nominate an individual.
Award criteria:
- Supports the DHS mission to help people meet their basic needs so they can live in dignity and achieve their highest potential
- Contributes to current DHS goals and priority projects
- Demonstrates best practices
- Achieves results that impact the people DHS supports
- Partners with others in the human services system
- Strengthens equity in the human services system and reduces disparities in communities.
2023 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award winners
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recognized the following partners from across the state with the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards:
- Apple Tree Dental, Mounds View
- Behavioral Dimensions Inc., St. Louis Park; and Dakota County Children’s Mental Health, Apple Valley
- Lower Sioux Indian Community, Morton
- MIGIZI, Minneapolis
- Pink Cloud Foundation, Minneapolis
- The Afghan Legal Clinic (The Advocates for Human Rights and Volunteer Lawyers Network), Minneapolis
- Tri-City Connections (Austin Aspires and Growing Up Healthy), Austin, Faribault and Northfield
Learn more about their outstanding contributions to the people DHS serves in a news release about the 2023 awards.
2022 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award winners
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recognized the following partners from across the state with the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards:
- American Indian Cancer Foundation, St. Paul
- C.A.R.E. Clinic, Red Wing
- Hallie Q. Brown Community Center, St. Paul
- Hennepin County Human Services Emergency Preparedness Unit
- Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis
- Housing Matters, Bemidji
- Scott County Family Resource Centers, three locations
Learn more about their outstanding contributions to human services clients in a news release about the 2022 awards.
2021 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award winners
The Minnesota Department of Human Services recognized the following partners from across the state with Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards:
- American Indian Food Security Work Group members
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Metro Transit
- Hennepin County, Olmsted County, Wabasha County, Wright County, and Code for America
- Lutheran Social Service Willmar Youth Services
- North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
- Red Lake Nation
Learn more about their outstanding contributions to human services clients in a news release about the 2021 awards.