(April 19, 2001) The House Health and Human Services Finance Committee heard testimony April 19 from a former drug addict and check forger.

"I want you to understand what a long struggle it is," said Brenda Benshoof. "It is really hard."

On this day, she was asking the committee to consider a bill (HF795), sponsored by Rep. Sheldon Johnson (DFL-St. Paul), that would appropriate $500,000 a year for the next two years to double the size and reach of a program that helps women in trouble.

Benshoof, a social worker for Project ReConnect in Ramsey County, first encountered the program as a client. "I am somewhat representative of the women we serve," she said. "I'm a recovering drug addict, ex-felon, mother, and sexual assault survivor. I've been in the Shakopee women's prison twice and seen the inside of a number of county jails."

Project ReConnect helps women, like Benshoof, with chemical dependency problems who are facing prison time and have children who would have to be placed in foster care.

Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt said the program's goals are to help the women reclaim their lives, improve parent-child functioning, and reduce out-of-home placement for children. The average time in the program is 48 months.

HF795 will be considered for inclusion in the committee's omnibus finance bill.

Other Human Services stories

Return to today's Session Daily