Q&A with Tara Reich: Uncertainty on multiple fronts for MNPrairie

Tara Reich has dedicated 19 years to serving in local county human services.

She began her career in 2006 with Steele County Human Services as a case manager, coordinating supports for individuals with disabilities. In 2012, she transitioned into a supervisor role, followed by a manager role in 2019. Since 2023, Tara has served as the executive director of MNPrairie.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from Minnesota State University, Mankato, in 2003. In May 2023, she completed the Certified Public Manager program through Hamline University.

Reich is actively involved with the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA), where she serves as a tri-chair of the Adult Services Committee. She also represents MACSSA and the voice of counties on county–state workgroup.

Organization/Title: Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie)/ executive director

What inspired you to go into your line of work?

I chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work because of the endless opportunities the field offers. As a social worker, I could work in a hospital, a school, or a county setting, to name just a few. I was drawn to the meaningful nature of the profession and inspired by the chance to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

What programs/services does your organization offer and why are they important to the community?

MNPrairie administers the full array of county human service programs throughout the counties of Dodge, Steele, and Waseca.

(Editor’s note: To save space, we have condensed the full list of services provide, which include cash and food benefits, health care, child support collections, child maltreatment screening, licensing foster and childcare homes, disability services for adults and children, mental health services, child care assistance, and home/community care programs for elderly clients.

How has funding from the state, federal, or local government impacted your organization? We are still working to fully understand the local impacts. While the effects for CY2026 are expected to be minimal, we know they will be more significant in CY2027.

What is one thing your organization has done in the past year that you are most proud of?

MNPrairie employees do incredible work every day. To say what I am most proud of would be impossible. That said, one thing I am proud of is the dedication of our Child and Family Social Services Division to engage families with the supports and services they need to succeed as a family unit. Because of their dedication, more families have been able to safely remain together, and the number of local children in foster care has decreased significantly.

What do you feel are the top 1-3 issues facing Steele County currently in terms of social services issues ( such as mental health, resources etc.)

The most recent legislative session brought numerous changes at both the federal and state levels that will affect how human service programs are administered, funded, and who is eligible to receive them. While we know these changes will have significant impacts, we are still working to fully understand the scope and details.

MNPrairie is currently facing a lot of uncertainty as the county boards look at the future of the organization. How has leadership worked to keep strong morale among employees during this period?

With uncertainty comes unknowns and insecurities. Above all, employees need to feel safe and secure in their workplace. Human brains are naturally uncomfortable with the unknown and tend to fill in the gaps, often with negative assumptions.

A key focus of our leadership team has been creating platforms for clear and transparent communication with employees. It is important that staff know what is happening at each step of the way and that they have opportunities to ask questions, share their thoughts, and be heard.

How has the role of social services changed since you began your career?

Home and community-based services (HCBS) help people with disabilities and older adults live as independently as possible in their homes and communities, rather than in institutional settings such as nursing facilities. These services are funded through Medicaid waivers and other state-funded programs and are administered at the county level by human services.

I began my career in Adult & Disability Social Services, and one of the most significant changes I experienced was the implementation of the MnCHOICES Assessment. MnCHOICES replaced a variety of assessment tools previously used to determine eligibility for HCBS programs. MnCHOICES provides a streamlined way for people to access services and aims to ensure people can access the most appropriate program and services to meet their needs. Unfortunately, this shift has also created additional administrative requirements for counties and has contributed to delays in individuals receiving the supports they need. Counties continue to work closely with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and our legislators to identify opportunities to improve efficiency within the system. I am pleased to share that MNPrairie is currently very close to meeting the statutory timelines for completing assessments, a benchmark that is not commonly achieved across the state.

The growing demand for services, combined with low reimbursement rates, has placed increasing strain on providers. As a result, case managers face significant challenges in connecting individuals with needed supports due to provider shortages, a challenge being felt statewide.