Coronavirus Impacts on County Services

Veterans Services

• In-person appointments or walk-ins are not currently available, but residents with questions or needs can contact the office at 651-266-2545 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or send an online request for assistance. Forms and documents can be mailed, emailed or dropped off at one of the six county service sites.

Public Health

WIC

• WIC appointments will be conducted over the phone. A WIC nutrition educator will call you at your scheduled appointment time. Please call 651-266-1300 if you have questions or to schedule an appointment.

Family Visiting

• Home visits will be completed by phone, texts, Skype or other video applications. Clients should call 651-266-1568 with questions.

Tuberculosis Program

• In-office TB visits are not currently available; services to clients will be provided over the phone. Medication for latent or active TB will be provided through drive up or in-home services. Call 651-266-1343 with questions.

Clinic 555

• Sexual Health Services – walk-in or same-day in-office services are not currently available; services will be provided to clients over the phone. Call 651-266-1255 with questions. 
• Syringe Services – walk-up visits will continue.

SOS Sexual Violence Programs

• SOS continues to be available 24/7 by phone at 651-266-1000. All face-to-face services have been replaced by phone services and precautions will be taken to ensure client safety. SOS trainings will be offered online and support groups are canceled.

Immunization Services

• All immunizations appointments have been canceled until further notice. If you need assistance or have questions, please call 651-266-1234.

HouseCalls

• HouseCalls is not accepting walk-ins or scheduling face-to-face appointments. Please call 651-266-1290 and staff will help you with resources.

Vital Records

• Walk-in services to get birth, death, marriage records, credentials of ordination and notary registration are not available. Ramsey County Vital Records staff will continue to process mailed requests with payment. Staff is available for questions at 651-266-1333.

Child Support

• Child support staff will continue to provide services by phone (651-266-3344) and email. Learn how to connect with your worker.
• Virtual service and reception desks will remain operating. Please call 651-266-3222 if you have questions or a need to arrange limited in-person services.

Social Services

The Government Center East Building is closed for regular in-person appointments until further notice; limited walk-up service is available for individuals as a last resort option for any issue involving Ramsey County that cannot be resolved online or by phone and email.

The building is also one of several county buildings where residents can drop off forms and, during limited hours, make a phone call to access county services.

Community Voluntary Services: Mental Health services, Adult and Child Foster Care, Youth Engagement, Parent Support Outreach, Mothers First, Child Care Licensing, Adoption, STAY and Permanent Connections

• In-person visits and interviews will only occur if there is health, safety or emergency concern and if no one in the family is ill. Social distancing practices will be followed.
• Most visits and interviews will be conducted over the phone or via a video messaging service.
• For questions about your service, call 651-266-4500.

MnCHOICES

• Client assessments and reassessments will all be completed by phone/video contact.

Child Protection Case Management

• Client contact will be conducted over the phone/video app unless an emergency arises. In the case of an emergency, intake protocols will be followed.  

Disability Client Services

• Case management services will be conducted over the phone/video unless an emergency arises. In the case of an emergency, intake protocols will be followed.  ​

Mental Health Center

• Walk-in clients will be served once screened for fever, cough, travel and possible COVID-19 exposure.
• Group therapy programs have been suspended until further notice.
• Clients will still receive injections in-person at the Mental Health Center.
• Individual therapy and psychiatrist appointments and prescriptions will be conducted over the phone or Telehealth if clients are able.
• For more information about Mental Health Center services, call 651-266-7890.

Lake Owasso Residence

• Every person will be screened upon entering the building for fever, cough, travel and possible COVID-19 exposure.
• Volunteer visits and outings are suspended at this time.
• Family visits in the facility, outings and home visits are suspended until Monday, April 6. Call 651-765-7700 for more information.

Ramsey County Care Center

• Every person will be screened upon entering the building for fever, cough, travel and possible COVID-19 exposure.
• Family members are not allowed to visit at this time. Exceptions will be made for end of life situations on a case by case basis.
• All volunteer visits, incoming groups and outings to the community have been canceled until further notice. Call 651-777-7486 with questions.

Detoxification Center

• Every person will be screened upon entering the building for fever, cough, travel and possible COVID-19 exposure.
• Visitors are not allowed at this time.
• The Detoxification Center will be reducing capacity from 40 people to a maximum of 20 people to maintain social distancing standards. For more information, call 651-266-4009.

Mental Health Crisis Lines

• Mental health crisis lines continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Children’s Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7878.
• Adult Mental Health Crisis Line: 651-266-7900.

Financial Assistance Services

The Government Center East Building is closed for regular in-person appointments until further notice; limited walk-up service is available for individuals as a last resort option  for any issue involving Ramsey County that cannot be resolved online or by phone and email.

 The building is also one of several county buildings where residents can drop off forms and, during limited hours, make a phone call to access county services.

• Residents are encouraged to apply for cash, emergency and food (SNAP) assistance at applymn.dhs.mn.gov. 
  • Before applying, residents can see if they are eligible for ApplyMN programs at mn.bridgetobenefits.org.
• Residents are encouraged to apply for health insurance at mnsure.org.
• All Financial Assistance intake interviews, including Emergency Assistance, will take place over the phone, rather than in-person. Call 651-266-4444 to set one up.
• Clients can send applications and verifications in via fax 651-266-3942 or drop them off in the drop box outside of the Government Center East Building.

Homeless Services

• A limited number of hotel beds are available now through Monday, April 27 for unsheltered youth who are ages 18-24. To request a room, youth can call the Salvation Army Shelter Line 10 a.m. -10 p.m. any day of the week at 651-444-5757.
• Families with at least one minor child in need of emergency shelter should call 211, the United Way's Helpline and Crisis Line, for a prescreen. If a family is currently unsheltered, they can also call Ramsey County's Homeless Services Team directly during business hours at 651-266-7818.
• Per the Governor’s Executive Order, evictions cannot be filed in Minnesota at this time. We encourage all households to continue paying as much as possible towards rent each month. While households cannot be evicted, they can fall too far behind in rent for assistance. Households that need assistance with rent or a notice of late rent should contact Financial Assistance Services at 651-266-4444 or a Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (PDF).
• The Safe Space, operated by Model Cities, is open and accepting shelter guests under relatively normal service. Capacity is slightly reduced for social distancing recommendations.
• For more information, see Housing Services & Support.

Personal contact with clients in the community will continue on a limited basis if significant public safety concerns arise, or as required by the District Court of Minnesota. Otherwise, all Community Corrections interactions with residents will shift to phone, emails or online.

Probation Services

• All visits or meetings previously conducted in-person will take place via phone, video conferencing or postponed until May 4. Adult and juvenile probation will contact residents to explain these changes.
• Adult probation/supervision fees were eliminated by the Ramsey County Board on April 14, 2020. Community Corrections will communicate with clients impacted by this decision and the steps needed to initiate this change.

Juvenile Detention Center and Ramsey County Correctional Facility

• On-site visits by parents and families will no longer be available. Visits will be conducted by phone or through video conferencing. The Ramsey County Correctional Facility lobby is open for family members wanting to place funds into client accounts. Contact the Juvenile Detention Center at 651-266-5255 and the RCCF at 651-266-1400  for more information. All individuals will be screened at intake for COVID-19 and Influenza. Health and mental health services will remain available to all patients 24/7.

Diversion Services

• Community work service is not required at this time. Clients should check-in via phone or email.
• All Maplewood courts and the upcoming Saint Paul diversion administrative calendars have been postponed.

Community Programming

• Individual coaching and group programming will transition from in-person meetings to online.

Library

• Ramsey County Library buildings are closed to the public.
• Libraries in Maplewood, Shoreview and Roseville have secure document drop-off boxes for all county services.
• Library materials may be requested by phone for curbside pickup (video) at libraries in:
  • Maplewood: 651-724-6003, press 3
  • Roseville: 651-724-6001, press 3
  • Shoreview: 651-724-6006, press 3
• Curbside pickup locations also offer printing services. You can pick up tax documents, social service applications, online forms and website information by contacting one of the three libraries by phone or email.
• Book returns are closed for the time being.
• Due dates will be extended and no overdue fines will accrue.
• A Library account providing instant access to electronic resources may be obtained by calling 651-724-6001.
• Reference, tech help and reader’s advisory services are available by phone.
• Virtual programming is offered.
• Home Delivery program is available for eligible suburban Ramsey County residents. Call 651-724-6001, press 2, for more information.

Law Library

• The Ramsey County Law Library is closed to the public.
• Book due dates are suspended until May 4.
• People with legal research questions should call 651-266-8391.
• Library clinics for housing, conciliation, or criminal matters are provided remotely. Please call 651-266-8391 for more information.
• The law library is taking email requests.

Parks & Recreation

Parks and trails

• Parks and trails are open to the public.
• Portable toilets and trash cans are provided.
• Playgrounds closed until further notice.
• Bathrooms and picnic shelters at parks facilities remain closed.
• Keller Golfview, Vadnais-Sucker and the lower Battle Creek area remain closed.
• Staff is brainstorming ways to implement virtual programming.

Tamarack Nature Center

• Trails remain open.
• Outdoor portable toilets are available.
• The Nature Center building is closed.
• Discovery Hollow is closed.
• Virtual programming is offered.

Beaches & Water Park

• Battle Creek Waterworks will remain closed for the summer season.
• Guarded beaches will remain closed until current social distancing restrictions are lifted.
• Opening of unguarded beaches will be evaluated later this spring.

​Arenas

• Ice arenas are closed. Ice and turf reservations are not available during this time.
• Staff is brainstorming ways to modify services in the event restrictions are lifted.

Golf

• Golf courses will open beginning Saturday, April 18 following the guidelines identified in Governor Walz’s Executive Order 20-38.

Planning

• Projects are being evaluated on a case by case basis.
• In-process construction and design projects will continue to move forward.

Soil & Water Conservation

• Site visits have been canceled.
• Design work and related services will continue.

Roads and transportation

• All upcoming in-person open houses for current and future road projects are canceled. Depending on the project timeline, one or more of the following tools may be used to share information and collect community feedback:
  • Send additional project information by mail.
  • Post additional project information and digital engagement tools to the county website.
  • Hold a virtual open house through social media or other online tools.
  • Reschedule an in-person open house for a later date.
• Additional public-facing services are provided via email, phone and mail.
• Maintenance work on county vehicles, roads and other public works infrastructure continues. Public Works and construction workers are permitted to leave home for work under Minnesota’s Stay at Home order, which is in effect from March 27-April 10. Ramsey County will work with project contractors to follow workplace hygiene and social distancing recommendations from the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health.

Property valuations 

• The office is open for business online and via phone at 651-266-2222.
• The service counter at the Plato building is closed for regular in-person appointments; limited walk-up service is available for individuals as a last resort option for any issue involving Ramsey County that cannot be resolved online or by phone and email. The building is also one of several county buildings where residents can drop off forms and, during limited hours, make a phone call to access county services.

Property tax petitions and appeals

• The filing deadline for property tax appeals has been extended to May 30, 2020 for 2020 petitions (current year) only.In Ramsey County, the County Assessor will now accept service of tax petitions for all Chapter 278 statutory service recipients (attorney, auditor/treasurer, assessor). During the emergency, please serve petitions through email or mail. The document Tax Petition Service During Pandemic explains the process. Call 651-266-2131 for visit the appealing your value page for more information.

Open book meetings

• Open book meetings on April 6 and April 7 will be held via phone. Call the Assessor’s Office to speak to an appraiser at 651-266-2131.
• Please see your valuation notice for additional appeal information.

Property inspections

• Interior property reviews will be conducted by residents submitting photos and videos electronically. Appraisers will not be visiting properties in person.  

Homesteads 

• Completed Homestead applications will be accepted via drop box locations and through U.S. mail. 

Property tax payments and information 

• The deadline for first-half property taxes has been extended from May 15 to July 15, 2020 for qualifying property owners impacted by COVID-19.

Read more about which properties qualify

• Property tax payments will be accepted via U.S. mail, at secure form drop-off locations and electronically.  

• We are open for business online and via phone at 651-266-2222. We will respond to phone calls and emails during the closure.
• The service counter at the Plato building is closed for regular in-person appointments; limited walk-up service is available for individuals as a last resort option for any issue involving Ramsey County that cannot be resolved online or by phone and email. The building is also one of several county buildings where residents can drop off forms and, during limited hours, make a phone call to access county services.

Tax-forfeited land 

• Contract payments will be accepted via U.S. mail and at county drop box locations. Please include the property address, PIN and name of the contract holder. 

Recorder’s Office 

• Recording documents will be accepted via secure form drop-off boxes. 
• We are open for business online and via phone at 651-266-2050. The service counter at the Plato building is closed for regular in-person appointments; limited walk-up service is available for individuals as a last resort option for any issue involving Ramsey County that cannot be resolved online or by phone and email. The building is also one of several county buildings where residents can drop off forms and, during limited hours, make a phone call to access county services.We will respond to phone calls and emails during the closure. 
• RecordEASE fees for document searches and views are temporarily free of charge. 

Examiner of Titles 

• Documents for approval should be submitted electronically by email.

Elections 

• Voter registration and election judge recruitment will be conducted online. Additional voter information is available at MNvotes.org or by calling 651-266-2171. 
• Voters in Minnesota have the option to vote via mail. View more information. 

Auctioneer, precious metals, transient merchant licenses 

• License applications will be accepted via U.S. mail and county drop box locations. 

Passports 

• The passport service counter at the Plato building is closed until further notice. 

County Attorney's Office

• Child support staff will continue to provide services by phone (651-266-3344) and email. Learn how to connect with your worker.
• The law office will ensure coverage for all remaining cases on court calendars, which have been significantly reduced due to the pandemic and as described in Minnesota Chief Justice Gildea’s March 20 order.
• Virtual service and reception desks at all offices will remain operating. Please call 651 266-3222 if you have questions or a need to arrange limited in-person services.

Emergency Communications

• All public tours of the Emergency Communications Center and in-person community outreach events are postponed.
• All 9-1-1 and non-emergency line call center functions will continue as usual.

Emergency Management & Homeland Security

• All functions will be maintained, including 24/7 on-call assistance for emergency incidents and management of Ramsey County’s coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak emergency operations center and incident command.
• In-person trainings are canceled, postponed or will be replaced with virtual options.

Medical Examiner's Office

• All functions will be maintained, including 24/7 on-call assistance for emergency incidents and management of Ramsey County’s coronavirus/COVID19 outbreak emergency operations center and incident command.
• In-person trainings are canceled, postponed or will be replaced with virtual options.

Sheriff’s Office

• All law enforcement and public safety services remain operational.
• Staff are responding to 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls.
• The Adult Detention Center remains operational. COVID-19 mitigation procedures are in effect. Service changes include:
  • No on-site video visitation.
  • Remote visitation is available and fees have been reduced to $2 for 20 minutes. Visitors are limited to two visits per week due to limited video visitation stations. Remote visitation is available seven days a week from 12:30-2:30 p.m.
  • Professional visitors are now non-contact and limited to weekday time day hours. No professional visitors on evening or weekends.
  • Contact family visiting is postponed.
• Fingerprinting is open Monday-Friday from 8-11 a.m. and 1:30-3:45 p.m. for Ramsey County residents only (ID required).
• All summons bookings have been rescheduled. Courts are not issuing new orders for booking.
• Clearance letters are still being processed.
• Gun permit services:
  • Receipt of permit to carry applications are temporarily suspended during the Stay at Home period. Renewals and data changes are still being processed.
  • Permit to purchases will continue to be processed at the Patrol Station in Arden Hills.
• Bail/bond is being accepted.
• Court-ordered evictions are suspended in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order.
• Community engagement and community outreach events are postponed.
• All public tours of Sheriff’s Office facilities are postponed.

Employment assistance

• Ramsey County Career Labs (North St. Paul, Government Center East, RCL - Maplewood) are closed to the public.
• Employment Assistance and Guidance Counseling support will continue to be available for existing and new resident clients. Employment service applications are available in hard copy. All consultations are done by phone. Please use county designated drop off sites as needed.
• Virtual programming is offered.

Contact

• For new inquiries, please contact us online for workforce services or call our Ramsey County Workforce Solutions hotline at 651-266-9890.
• If already enrolled, please contact your counselor.

Community and economic development

• All services and programs are offered online.
• Business resources can be found on RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.
• Virtual webinars are being offered.

Administrative and Chief Clerk's Office

• Board of commissioners meetings are completely virtual. 
• Administrative tasks, scheduling/room reservations, printing, note-taking handled remotely. 
• In-person/telephone reception handled remotely through VoIP. 
• Virtual receptionist to support reception desk coverage. 

For employees 

• Administrative tasks, scheduling/room reservations, printing, note-taking handled remotely. 
• In-person/telephone reception handled remotely through VoIP. 
• Virtual receptionist to support reception desk coverage. 

Finance 

• There are process changes to requests for bids and requests for proposals openings, mail and live checks.  
• We are prioritizing our work and essential procurements are being processed first. You may experience some delays. 
• Request for bids and request for proposals openings are continuing in person, but are limited.  
• Checks are continuing to be mailed out as normal with minimal delays. 

For employees 

• All checks for vendors, individuals and others – Finance has a rotation of people on-site for this. This should not impact the current 48-hour time frame. 

Human Resources

• Skype or other video conferencing software or phones are being used to conduct job interviews. 

For employees 

• Teleconferencing for internal meetings, employee trainings.  
• COVID-19, remote workforce training prioritized. 
• Less staff members on hiring panels. 
• Use digital signatures when necessary.

Information Services

• IS staff members are continuing to answer the general Ramsey County phone line and directing callers to a department or individual.
• IS supports the departments and functions that do provide external-facing services. IS is able to provide greater collaboration tools and ways for the workforce to be able to conduct their work remotely.

Policy & Planning 

• Virtual livestreams or webinars (e.g. GoToMeeting, YouTube live, etc.) and mobile-friendly options have replaced community meetings. Translators and translated subtitles for recorded meetings can be made available. 
• Policy and Planning staff members are accessible via phone at 651-266-9200 and are working seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to support planning and operations as it relates to COVID-19 response. 

Property Management

• Staff members continue to maintain building operations.
• Building managers are ensuring that buildings are adequately staffed and monitored whether open or closed.
• Enhanced cleaning protocol utilized for high traffic, high touch common areas in facilities managed by Ramsey County.