Minnesota Agencies

To advise the commissioner of human services on the implementation and operation of the performance management system for human services. The mission of the Performance Management system is to improve outcomes for people through creativity, flexibility, accountability, collaboration, and performance management.

The council shall meet quarterly; annually review performance data submitted by counties or service delivery authorities; review and advise the commissioner on department procedures related to the implementation of the performance management system; advise the commissioner on the training and technical assistance needs of personnel; review instances of inadequate progress on performance improvement plans; consider appeals, convene working groups to update and develop outcomes, measures, and performance standards; make recommendations on human services rules or statutes that could be repealed, provide information to stakeholders; and submit an annual report to the legislature and the commissioner.

In 2009, the Minnesota Legislature passed the 2009 State-County Results, Accountability and Service Delivery Redesign Act. This act established the Steering Committee on Performance and Outcome Reform, which included county commissioners and human services directors, advocates, and DHS staff. The committee presented its recommendations to legislators in December 2012. During the 2013 session, Minnesota adopted the outcomes, measures, and thresholds and a remedies process to hold counties accountable. This Human Services Performance Council was authorized by the 2013 Minnesota Legislature as part of the establishment of a performance management system for Human Services.

The Commissioner of Human Services was required to convene the Human Services Performance Council by October 1, 2013.

The Human Services Performance Council was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the council.

The Council convened thresholds workgroups in the fall of 2014 to clarify and adjust the initial thresholds recommended by the steering committee.

The Legislature made some changes to council composition in 2025 (see Laws of Minn. 2025, chap. 21, sec. 78).

Council membership shall be equally balanced among the following five stakeholder groups:

• the Association of Minnesota Counties;
• the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators;
• the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, jointly;
• tribes and communities of color;
• and service providers and advocates for persons receiving human services.

The Association of Minnesota Counties and the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators shall appoint their own respective representatives. The commissioners of human services and children, youth, and families shall each appoint two representatives of their respective department. The commissioners shall each appoint two representatives from (1) tribes and communities of color, and (2) social services providers and advocates. Council membership shall be 20 members, with four representatives from each nondepartmental stakeholder group.

Notwithstanding section 15.059, Human Services Performance Council members shall be appointed for a minimum of two years, but may serve longer terms at the discretion of their appointing authority.

Notwithstanding section 15.059, members of the council shall receive no compensation for their services.

A representative from each commissioner and a county representative from either the Association of Minnesota Counties or the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators shall serve as Human Services Performance Council cochairs.