Freeborn County Covid 19 Press Release

PRESS RELEASE:

Effective immediately and until April 1, 2020, all Freeborn County buildings and facilities are closed to the public including the Freeborn County Government Center, Freeborn County Human Services and the Freeborn County Highway Department.

While the buildings will be closed to the public, normal county services and operations will continue to be provided to the community on the same schedule, through both phone and email. Many services can also be done online if necessary and citizens are encouraged to explore those options. A complete listing of department contacts (PHONE AND EMAIL) can be found on the county webpage www.freeborn.mn.us

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners workshops scheduled for March 24 and 31, 2020 are cancelled. The status of Freeborn County Board meetings to be held after April 1 will be determined at a later date.

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS:
The Law Enforcement Lobby will be open 24 hours per day/7 days a week for emergencies.

COURTS/ COURT HEARINGS
There will be County staff available to escort any person/persons to any scheduled court appearance.
If you have a court case scheduled in Freeborn County District Court between March 18, 2020, and April 1, 2020, call 507-377-5157 to determine if your case will be heard or rescheduled to a future date. Please visit the Freeborn County District Court COVID-19 Information page for additional details.

Please note: Only cases determined to be “high priority” by the Court will be heard between now and April 1, 2020. If you want to file paperwork with the court for any type of case, please call the number listed above and staff will advise you of the process. Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea issued a statewide order, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, for all Minnesota courts. Additional information can be found at www.mncourts.gov/emergency.

Please be aware of the following changes:
• If you are coming to the courthouse for a high priority case, you must enter through the law enforcement center parking lot entrance only.
• All parties will be escorted to and from the courtroom.
For all Freeborn County Department of Human Services Mandated Services see below:

Please visit https://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/135/Human-Services for information regarding specific programs. You may also call 507-377-5400 or 1-877-402-3743 with questions regarding services.

Financial Assistance Programs:
Cash, Emergency Assistance, Food, Child Care Assistance
https://applymn.dhs.mn.gov
Health Care
https://www.mnsure.org/

*If you are someone who is elderly, disabled or in a nursing home, you or someone authorized to act on your behalf should call the office at 507-377-5400 so a health care application can be mailed to you.

Child Protection: To make a child protection report,
Call 507-377-5400 and ask for Child Protection Intake or call Law Enforcement

Adult Protection / Vulnerable Adult Reporting:
Call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center: 1-844-880-1574 or call Law Enforcement
For the Following Mandated Services Contact the Human Services Department:
507-377-5400 or go to https://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/135/Human-Services:
Adult Mental Health Case Management
Children’s Mental Health Case Management
Disability Services
Chemical Health Assessment and Treatment Coordination

Child Support Services
*If you typically drop off child support payments directly at the Human Services office, please contact the office to make arrangements. 507-377-5400

Crime Victims Crisis Center: Call 507-377-5460
FREEBORN COUNTY AUDITORS OFFICE AND RECORDER:
A box has been placed in the law enforcement lobby to allow document drop offs for these offices to continue to receive and process real estate documents and tax payments.

The City/County Emergency Operations Center will continue to update the community’s level(s) of response as the pandemic evolves.

This situation is fluid and restrictions are likely to change. We encourage residents to check the social media and webpages of the City of Albert Lea (www.facebook.com/cityofalbertlea) and Freeborn County (www.co.freeborn.mn.us) and Freeborn County Public Health (www.facebook.com/Freeborn-County-Public-Health). Please check the Minnesota Department of Health’s website for more detail on strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.