Jessie Van Berkel

Jessie Van Berkel

Reporter | Social Services

Email: jessie.vanberkel@startribune.com

Jessie Van Berkel is the Star Tribune’s social services reporter. She writes about Minnesota’s most vulnerable populations and the systems and policies that affect them. Topics she covers include disability services, mental health, addiction, poverty, elder care and child protection.

She has worked for the paper since 2014, primarily covering state government and politics. She has also reported on the city of St. Paul and the Twin Cities' southern suburbs. Jessie previously wrote for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Post-Crescent, The Seattle Times, The Oregonian and MinnPost. She graduated from the University of Minnesota. Outside of work, she can usually be found planning her next trip, outdoor adventure or cooking project.

Recent content from Jessie Van Berkel

Margot Imdieke Cross, disability rights advocate who made Minnesota more accessible, dies at 68

From the design of Target Field to paving state park trails, Imdieke Cross was a "force to be reckoned with" in her pursuit of accessibility for people with disabilities.

Minnesota families question controversial therapy as autism treatment spending rises

The practice called applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is the overwhelming option for early intervention, but some people with autism and their families have criticized it.

Minnesota autism providers under investigation, lawmakers consider adding 'guardrails'

The Minnesota Department of Human Services has 15 active investigations into organizations providing autism services, the agency said.

Minnesota has a new agency and commissioner. What are her goals for kids and families?

The Department of Children, Youth and Families launches July 1. Tikki Brown will lead the agency that's part of a national shift in how states serve young people.

Quiet zones, fidgets and ear muffs: Minnesota parades and festivals add sensory accommodations

From the State Fair to local parades to the Twin Cities Pride Festival, events are adding quiet areas and other tools for those with autism and sensory issues.

Family child-care providers 'panic' over Minnesota's proposed licensing rules

In-home day-care providers say state is "micromanaging" with its draft of updated standards and warn that facilities would close.

Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center worker hit youth, investigation finds

It was the second time in a year that a staff member at the detention center physically abused a young person staying there.

Man shot at University of Minnesota campus

The victim, "not a member of the University community," sustained injuries that were not life-threatening, according to a U spokesperson.

Ann Kim's restaurant in Uptown vandalized

A concrete slab and paint were thrown through the window overnight. Wrote Kim: "We are going to take our time to think about next steps."

Minnesota counties, cities slow to start spending $50M from opioid settlement

Many local governments have yet to spend any of the settlement money they started getting in 2022. Officials say they have been strategizing. Meanwhile, overdose rates remain high.