ARRM News and Public Relations

Medicaid savings unrealistic, study says

The StarTribune explores the viability of a global Medicaid waiver proposed by House Republicans to help balance the state budget. Read the story here.

March Madness: Pen Your Priorities!

Draft a letter about disabilities this month

With only three months left in the scheduled legislative session and only one month until fiscal chairs release their budget bills (around March 25), ARRM is executing a full court press by launching a huge, grassroots letter writing campaign during the month of March.

Handwritten letters and notes from constituents are a powerful way to communicate with legislators because they put a human face on disability programs and services. Thus, we'd like ARRM members to generate a steady stream of letters during the next few weeks to make an unforgettable impact. Organizations can host a letter raiser party and produce a passel of letters in a short amount of time--as little as 45 minutes. Be sure to include photos with your letters so legislators have a visual reference. When you're done, mail or deliver your letters to the Capitol. For the Senate, deliver letters to the Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant of Arms Supply Office, Room B-43 of the State Capitol. For the House, go to the House Sergeant of Arms Postal Office, Room 190 of the State Office Building. Or, drop your letters off at ARRM and we will hand deliver them for you.

Don't know where to start? No problem! You can download a letter raiser toolkit from ARRM's website or ARRM's one-page template for family members. Besides writing letters, we encourage you to take part in other grassroots activities this month:

• schedule a site visit with your legislator,
• friend your legislator on Facebook,
• attend ARRM’s MN CCD Tuesday at the Capitol on April 12th,
• check ARRM’s grassroots calendar for upcoming town hall meetings in your district.

As always, we ask ARRM members to please let Sara Krogman know about the grassroots work you've done, and if you have had contact with a legislator. Let's use our "people power" to urge decision-makers to preserve core services and quality supports for Minnesotans with disabilities. (Photo by Scott Bacon)

Temple Grandin to speak at autism and employment forum on Feb. 17, 2011

Temple Grandin will be speaking on Feb 17th, 2011 at 3M Headquarters in St. Paul about the Autism Spectrum Disorder and employment. More information can be found at www.ausm.org. The event is co-hosted by the Autism Society of MN and 3M. 

AAIDD seeks volunteers for June conference

The Annual Conference for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities is holding their annual conference in the Twin Cities June 6-9, 2011. Peggy Kunkel from REM is in charge of volunteers for the event. If you are interested in volunteering or would like further information you can contact Peggy at 952-945-4957 or send an e-mail to  Peggy.Kunkel@TheMentorNetwork.com.

Suit over treatment of people with disabilities settled for $3 million

Minnesota will pay $3 million and phase out use of restraints to settle a suit over care of developmentally disabled adults. Dr. L. Read Sulik, DHS assistant commissioner, has responded, "We are fully committed to working with families and the disability community to provide the safest and highest-quality care for our most vulnerable citizens." In addition, he said DHS would work toward eventually eliminating the use of seclusion and restraint in treatment settings.

Read the full Star Tribune article here.

What are you doing for DSP Recognition Week, September 12-18, 2010?

Take the time to celebrate Direct Support Professionals during DSP week, which was created to shows our tireless caregivers how much we appreciate them. Besides regular pats on the back for work well done, below are 10 novel ways to recognize your staff and celebrate the good work they do.

 #1  Host a party or community enrichment event
Throw a party, host a reception or have a BBQ to show your DSPs how much you appreciate their work and commitment to providing quality supports. Consider having a potluck with company leaders serving the hard-working DSPs! Or gear up for ARRM’s Community Enrichment Week in October (dates to be announced) by inviting family, friends, clients, colleagues AND journalists to participate in a combined DSP celebration and community event, such as a Food Bank Drive.

#2  Raise money for your agency or favorite charity
Schedule a fundraising event, such as a run, walk and roll. Ask participants to solicit pledges to support your agency, a local cause, or ANCOR’s National Advocacy Campaign.

#3  Offer tangible, daily reminders of your gratitude
Every day this week, give your employees something to remind them how much you appreciate their contributions. For instance, one day could be “Lifesaver Day,” in which you offer lifesaver candies to remind your staff that they are lifesavers to others. Another day might be “Refill the Caregiver Day,” where each employees receive a bottle of water, reminding them to “refill their cups” and take care of themselves.

#4  Give your DSP a token of your appreciation
If your agency has discretionary funds in its budget, present your DSPs with a small, meaningful token of appreciation from senior leaders. If funds are limited, help the people you serve create meaningful “homemade” totems of thanks.

#5 Participate in the Yellow Flag Campaign
Picture this: Yellow flags honoring DSPs flying on the grounds of 50 State Capitols during the Week of September 13. Simultaneously via the U.S. Mail, Yellow Flags accompanied by signed petitions for passage of HR. 868 arrive in the offices of U.S. Representatives from all 50 states that week. This idea, courtesy of DSP Barbara Wilson of New Hampshire, is a colorful, personal and undeniable testament to the difference DSPs make. Visit www.heartstudioandgardens.org for more information, and to get ideas about how your clients, families and co‐workers and can participate in this important campaign.

#6 Have an employee “fun day” or retreat
Bring employees together for a day of fun, thoughtful team-building activities. Ask them what activities would inspire and motivate them, and deliver a day of relaxation or casual collaboration.

#7 Create a scavenger hunt
Plan events for the entire week in which staff search for unique objects around the program site or office. Include a photo hunt for the best picture of the staff engaged in a fun activity, and offer the winning team a pizza party and one-hour grassroots advocacy training (training courtesy of ARRM).

#8  Tell your DSPs’ stories
Post pictures of DSPs with the people they serve (with their consent, of course) on your company’s Web site and Facebook page. Include information about the important work they do and the impact that they have on others. Or post notices in community papers and around town to recognize exemplary DSPs, such as past winners or nominees of ARRM Cares Awards.

#9  Gather and promote testimonials from the people you serve
Ask self-advocates to tell stories about your DSPs. Help them put their thoughts into words and share why they enjoy working with your staff, then post these testimonials in public places for all to read.

#10  Simply say “thanks”
Make it a point to visit each program site throughout the week and personally thank your staff for their dedication and commitment. If you can’t visit everyone, send a personal letter of gratitude to each employee.

--ARRM Workforce Development Committee

Primary election hotline available tomorrow

The League of Women Voters, Minnesota, in partnership with 5 Eyewitness News will hold a primary election hotline from 5:15 AM to 7:00 PM.

The hotline will be available to assist you in finding out where to vote, what is on the ballot, what information is needed to register the day of the election and any other questions you may have.

The local number is (651) 646-1699

The toll free number is 1-800-555-8772

--Sara Krogman, Field Coordinator

Upcoming 2010 major parties gubernatorial debate

The Minnesota News Council and the League of Women Voters Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Newspaper Associating and its 143rd annual convention present a Pre-Caucus Gubernatorial debate on Wednesday January 27th, 2010.

A pre-debate reception is scheduled from 5:00-6:00 pm and will feature hors d-oeuvres and a cash bar. The debate will begin at 6:30 and run until 8:30.

Tickets for the reception and debate cost $25.00. Tickets for the debate alone are free.

More information can be found at: http://2010gubernatorialdebate.eventbrite.com/