ARRM News and Public Relations

East Metro Legislators Share Coffee, Ideas With Local Disability Service Advocates

Representatives from East Metro area disability service providers thanked legislators for investing in the direct support workforce

STILLWATER, MINN. – Representatives from several organizations which provide supportive services to people with disabilities in Minnesota’s East Metro area met with local legislators to express the importance of recent investments in their workforce by the State Legislature, and to discuss future ideas for meeting the support and care goals for people seeking greater independence and community inclusion.

Sen. Karin Housley (R-Stillwater), Rep. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines), and Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL-White Bear Lake) discuss disability services with provider representatives in Stillwater.

Sen. Karin Housley (R-Stillwater), Rep. Linda Runbeck (R-Circle Pines), and Rep. Ami Wazlawik (DFL-White Bear Lake) sat down Wednesday for coffee with more than a dozen representatives from area service providers at Joseph’s Family Restaurant. They discussed issues ranging from the 17 percent wage gap for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to the overall difficulties families face in finding services for their loved ones.

Bill Tiedemann from Hope House of the St. Croix Valley said, “There just aren’t enough services available for those who need it.” Jon Poulson of The Phoenix Residence echoed that statement: “We have over 100 people on a waiting list. And we aren’t the only provider in that situation.”

The discussion made clear the wage gap is just the tip of the iceberg for providers in Minnesota. Although the state passed legislation this year which will invest more in DSP wages, providers will still have trouble recruiting and retaining staff. There are over 75,000 DSPs in Minnesota and the average wage is roughly $13 per hour. “Something needs to change,” said Senator Housley (R-Stillwater).

This coffee event was organized by ARRM, a trade association representing organizations in the home and community-based services industry, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen communication and effectiveness of the public-private sector relationship which defines services for people with disabilities in Minnesota.

“These critical supports are almost entirely funded through public spending, and yet delivered predominantly by private non-profit and for-profit organizations,” said Sue Schettle, ARRM CEO. “Minnesota has historically been a national leader in the standard of care and supporting greater independence for people with disabilities and regular conversations like this are essential to continuing that leadership.”

Home and community-based service organizations began as an alternative to large, state-run institutions and helped launch a dramatic expansion of the care, support, residential and community engagement opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities over the last 50 years. Hundreds of organizations operate these programs across the metro Minnesota, supporting several thousand people with disabilities and employing more than 10,000 direct support staff.

Celebrate Direct Support Professionals Year-Round!

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are vital staff members who perform a variety of services and provide support to those in Home and Community-Based settings. DSPs go the extra mile in their work, making a difference every single day. There are more than 75,000 DSPs in the state who are professional, compassionate and dedicated to the Minnesotans with disabilities they support.

DSPs ensure those they support live their best lives' by:

• Forming critical bonds with family members
• Being active community members and engaging the community in efforts related to Home and Community-Based Services
• Providing tools and promoting independent living
• Providing general encouragement and maintaining positive attitudes

DSPs are hardworking, passionate, and committed to providing stellar support to people with disabilities.

2019 DSP Recognition Week!

September 9 - September 15 marks this year's DSP Recognition Week. DSPs put in hours of work every day to help people reach their goals and support greater independence. This annual recognition is a great way to demonstrate our appreciation for the important, valuable work they do all year-round. 

So, tell us how you're celebrating this year! Comment on this post and tell us how you're recognizing your DSPs this year. You can: write a message, share a clip from a recognition party, or share a news article. We want to see how you're thanking your DSPs this year for their unwavering positivity and dedication.

ARRM Cares

Want to celebrate some more? The ARRM Cares Award is an annual award program which recognizes the top Direct Support Professionals in Minnesota. A nominated DSP is highly committed to their work, provides innovative person-centered support, encourages community engagement, and demonstrates exemplary integrity.

ARRM members employ 20,000+ DSPs and a nomination alone speaks to the individual's stellar work performance. Every year, 6 winners are identified, making them some of the most influential DSPs in Minnesota.

If you nominated a DSP this year, comment below and tell us how you're celebrating! Share your story, share pictures, and invite us to your recognition events!

Didn't have the opportunity to nominate someone this year? Don't fret! This annual award program is open to all DSPs in Minnesota! Look out for more information on the nomination process. We want you to nominate your outstanding DSPs!

Have More to Say?

Share your stories to show how valuable Minnesota's DSPs are to the people they support, their employers, and their communities:

• Share posts and pictures on our Facebook page
• Tag us in a Tweet and say why your DSPs rock
• Send us an email so we can share in your recognition events

ARRM Statement on DHS Resignations

Essential to restore institutional knowledge of services for people with disabilities in department leadership

SAINT PAUL, MINN. – ARRM, an association representing more than 200 direct support providers and associated service providers for people with disabilities in Minnesota, released this statement from CEO Sue Schettle regarding the recent resignations of top leaders at the Minnesota Department of Human Services:

“Today’s news regarding Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Tony Lourey’s resignation is unsettling and leaves serious questions for our field which works so closely with the department for technical assistance and as the primary regulatory body for Home and Community-Based Services supporting Minnesotans with disabilities.

“This, on top of news last week of the resignations of Deputy Commissioners Wilson and Johnson, raises concerns about a loss in the department’s leadership of formidable institutional knowledge around supportive services for people with disabilities. As several past examples have demonstrated, familiarity and experience with this large and complex sector of publicly funded services for vulnerable adults is a critical asset for successful oversight and policy development.

“As we learn more about the situation at DHS and the future of its leadership, we strongly urge Gov. Walz to ensure the new leadership team has strong credentials in the areas of Home and Community-Based Services for people with disabilities. They will be charged with developing and implementing significant initiatives to address major public policy priorities, from ensuring Minnesota meets its mandated goals under its Olmstead Plan, to addressing challenges in meeting the growing demand for services with a shrinking pool of workers.”