MN Autism Resource website now available

The Minnesota Autism Resource website is now available for youth and adults with autism as well as parents, teachers, social service and health care professionals and others to get and share information about autism spectrum disorders and related conditions (ASD).

“This new website is just one part of our commitment to improve autism services in Minnesota,” said Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper. “We want Minnesotans interested in autism to have the opportunity to connect with one another, share and learn about autism, and access our state’s services and supports for people with autism. Community participation will drive the website’s success.”

A key strategy for the Minnesota Autism Resource website is crowd sourcing content, where individuals and organizations submit content for posting on the website. This is a way to keep the website continually growing and evolving based on community needs and input.

Other key features of the website include:

·         A map showing locations of Minnesota autism-related organizations;

·         A calendar of autism-related events;

·         Links to organizations, tools and information with info on a variety of autism-related topics;

·         A job board where autism organizations can post employment opportunities;

·         A multimedia gallery with autism-related videos.

To submit content, suggest ideas for the website or ask questions, organizations and individuals need to fill out a form in the Contact Us section on the site. Content guidelines have been established to ensure content is relevant and not in any way promotional, political, discriminatory or offensive.

The website, (mn.gov/autism) is funded by the Minnesota Legislature at the recommendation of the state’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Task Force, was developed in a collaborative effort between the Minnesota departments of Human Services, Education, Health and Employment and Economic Development.

MN Dept of Revenue debuts centralized online Business Center

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The first week of May is National Small Business Week. To mark the week, the Minnesota Department of Revenue is highlighting the online resources it offers businesses by launching a new online Business Center. Businesses and organizations of all sizes and types can now find business tax information and resources -- including fact sheets, industry guides, forms, and training information -- in one central location on the department’s website.

“We strive to provide taxpayers with the information they need to comply with the state’s tax laws. The new online Business Center consolidates information and resources into a central location, making it easier for businesses to find the tax information they need,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly. “We are always looking to improve our customer service. The Business Center is just one of the ways we are doing that for our business tax customers.”

The new online Business Center includes some of the following features:

• Starting a business – Basic tax information for people who are starting a business.
• Register for a Minnesota Tax ID number – What is a Minnesota Tax ID number? How do I register?
• File and Pay Tax – What is e-Services? How do I sign up? Information on filing returns and making payments.
• Education and Outreach – Free education by tax type including classroom training, online training, webinars, and videos.
• Resources for Businesses – A variety of tools including business guidebooks, fact sheets, industry guides, tax type calculators, forms and instructions.
• Closing an Account/Closing a Business – What you need to know.
• Consolidated due date calendar – This feature will be added in the near future and will make it easy for business customers to find a list of due dates for various business tax types.

Customers can access the new Business Center by clicking the link or by going to our website (www.revenue.state.mn.us) and entering business center into the search box.

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‘Minnesota Harvester Handbook’ guides enthusiasts to natural resources

ST. PAUL, Minn. (12/11/2014)—Harvesting sustainable natural resources is integral to the heritage of many Minnesotans. For a growing number of others, though, interest in tapping into our state’s abundant buffet of resources is reaching new levels.  How to harvest wisely?      

Developed by the University of Minnesota Extension, the newly released “Minnesota Harvester Handbook” has answers. Contributions come from a broad base of experts in this 118-page guide covering a wide array, including mushrooms, maple syrup and berries, as well as non-edibles such as wood for crafting.

“This guide isn’t just for people who own woods. It’s for those who have an interest in learning how to connect with nature through harvesting non-timber natural resources and doing so responsibly,” said Mike Reichenbach, Extension natural resources educator.

Resources are divided by the season of their harvest; its chapters delve into details such as where resources grow and how-to tips on harvesting. Photos throughout the guide help readers correctly identify items. In addition, the handbook offers exhaustive information on resources and their cultural importance, marketing, regulations regarding public and private land and more.

“Each chapter puts an emphasis on environmental benefits, sustainability and regrowth,” said Gary Wyatt, also an Extension natural resources educator.

The guide sells for $24.95. To learn more or order, visit http://z.umn.edu/rnd. Orders will be received in seven to ten days or less.

It will be a text for later introductory non-timber forest products classes offered by Extension. To learn more, visit Extension’s My Minnesota Woods page at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/.  

BBB Offers New Resource to Veterans, Service members

Burnsville, MN – November 10, 2014 – As part of their outreach to the military community, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota’s local Military Line (BBB) program has partnered with the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance to create a specially-designed tri-fold handout containing tips on scams targeting service members and their families, as well as a list of community resources they can turn to when they have questions, concerns or need assistance.

The handout, which will first be distributed at a MACV StandDown event in Mankato on Wednesday, November 12 – and then made widely available to the military community - is designed in muted colors, to be user-friendly for veterans suffering from symptoms due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Reports indicate that up to 20 percent of returning veterans exhibit symptoms of having sustained traumatic brain injuries. People suffering from these symptoms find brighter colors and densely-worded materials off-putting and have difficulty processing information formatted in standard fashion.

“This information is important to all service members and veterans, and when we designed this handout, we did so in such a way that it would be accessible to all,” said Lisa Jemtrud, Director of BBB’s Institute for Marketplace Ethics. “Our goal is to reach and help protect everyone, but especially those that need our help most.”

BBB’s new handout for veterans and servicemembers, as well as their families and caregivers, includes:

·         Tips on scams targeting military personnel and their families – and how to avoid them

·         An index of resources available to veterans

·         Information on payday loans and pension scams

·         A list of Do’s and Don’ts designed to protect personal information and help ensure financial security

For more than two years, BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota staff has made presentations at more than 100 events, reaching 10,000-plus people through workshops and military expos. BBB regularly provides information regarding employment scams at job fairs, offers resources to struggling veterans at StandDown events, conducts workshops on buying a car to veterans transitioning from various support programs and educates service members and their families on how to be smart consumers in today's fast-paced economy.