ARRM News and Public Relations

Coffee and Candidates

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That couldn't be more true this week as ARRM hosts several legislative candidate breakfasts in districts projected to have some of the most competitive State House races this fall.

 

This morning, ARRM members, MOHR members and The Arc of Minnesota sat down with State Representative Roz Peterson (R-56B) and candidate Hunter Cantrell (DFL-56A) over coffee and muffins to discuss critical issues for Home and Community-Based Support providers, staff, and people with disabilities.

 

Candidates experienced With home and community based services

Both Rep. Peterson and Cantrell discussed their records of working in support of Minnesotans with disabilities, Direct Support Professionals (DSP), and provider organizations.

 

Rep. Roz Peterson talks about supporting people with disabilities.

For Rep. Peterson, she was a strong supporter of legislation during the 2018 Legislative Session to stop the 7 percent cuts to Disability Waiver Rates. She also shared that she has been an advocate on local government issues, pushing back publicly against a proposal City of Burnsville officials to restrict housing density and options for people with disabilities receiving HCBS services.

 

Hunter Cantrell, candidate for House District 56A, shares his experience of being a DSP.

 

Cantrell knows the HCBS world from close personal experience, working as an in-home support staff over the past six years for ARRM members Dungarvin MN and Lifeworks, currently. He spoke passionately about the need to support DSPs and ensure we can provide stability to the direct support workforce for the benefit of people with disabilities and their families.

Working together to make change

Attendees shared with the two candidates the strain on providers and staff which come from rate cuts and changing regulatory policy, most recently the surprise 7 percent rate cuts. Both expressed the need to do more to make progress for the critical supports for people, and that the work should very clearly be a bi-partisan issue.

7% Cut Update: Time to take action

In an effort to keep members informed and up-to-date on what is happening with the impending 7% rate cut, ARRM will be publishing a weekly update on the status of legislation and how you can take action to help Stop The Cut! Don't forget to subscribe to catch all the updates.

Governor’s Budget does not address the 7% Cut

This last Friday, March 16^th, Governor Dayton released his 2018 Supplemental Budget. ARRM was disappointed to see that Governor Dayton did not address the 7% cut in his budget proposal. ARRM CEO Sue Schettle released this statement stating that it is now up to the legislature to protect services for people with disabilities.

New Resources Available to educate and inform on the 7% Cut

ARRM has developed a new section on its website dedicated to educating on the 7% cut and providing resources to providers, staff and family members to take action. New features include:

• 7% Cut Fact Sheet
• Best Life Alliance Grassroots One-Pager
• Regularly Updated Call To Actions
• Resources to contact media

Please share the website link www.arrm.org/stop-the-cut within your networks and encourage advocates to get involved to help STOP THE CUT!

Day at the Capitol Conversations Making a Difference

We are hearing from legislators that the conversations they had with constituents during last week’s successful ARRM/MOHR Day at the Capitol are making a difference. We need to keep the pressure on, if you haven’t done so already, reach out to your legislators and tell them to Stop the Cut. You can find more specific information on what to say to your legislators here.

Questions

If you have specific questions about the details of the 7% cut or how you can be involved, please contact Sara Grafstrom at [email protected].

Budget Surplus Must Address Rate Cuts By Feds

NEWS RELEASE

Decision by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services hurts direct care workforce

ARRM, an association representing more than 200 direct care providers and supporting service providers for people with disabilities in Minnesota, released this statement from CEO Sue Schettle regarding the 2018 February Budget and Economic Forecast released by the Minnesota Office of Management and Budget: 

“The positive state budget forecast is an important opportunity to focus on significant health and human services needs for Minnesota. Particularly, taking additional action to address the pressing workforce shortage impacting the entire sector and invest in continued progress for people with disabilities to achieve independence and community integration.

Sue Schettle, ARRM CEO

“Prioritizing this has been made even more important with breaking news yesterday from the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) denied an amendment to the home and community-based services rate setting system for people with disabilities. This will result in a seven percent cut to the rates people with disabilities receive to access supportive services, resulting in a loss of up to thousands of dollars per person each year going towards critical supports.

“The state will need to address this cut by the federal government to honor investments in supportive services designed to improve quality and support more competitive wages for direct care staff. Not only do people with disabilities access these services to remain independent and active members of their communities, many rely on them for essential health and safety support.

"According to the Office of Management and Budget, average wages for all positions are expected to rise 5.5 percent next year and there is less than one job seeker per open position in our state. To experience a rate cut in such an economic environment could prove devastating for providers’ and individuals’ ability to hire and retain direct care staff.

“We call on the State Legislature to aggressively push back on this decision by CMS and take actions that will protect people’s ability to access critical supportive services on which they rely. Our industry supports the Best Life Alliance, which will be making recommendations to legislative leaders.”

Meet Legislators at the Great Minnesota Get Together

It's that time of year again! The barns are abuzz, the Pronto Pups are popping, and if it's not on a stick it's not actually food. Yes, the Minnesota State Fair is here and is in full swing!

https://www.theodysseyonline.com/why-the-minnesota-state-fair-is-unparalleled

What you might not know is that the State Fair is a very important event for politicians of all levels. Many of Minnesota's elected officials visit the Fair to talk to voters from across the state, and in this most grassroots-y of grassroots events, its a key moment to ensure they hear from Minnesotans that disability issues are top priorities for the coming legislative sessions and elections.

Using the schedules below, make sure you include a visit with your local representatives during your trip to the State Fair, in between Sweet Martha's and winning prizes on the Mighty Midway of course. Talk to them about your local issues and let them know that community-based services for people with disabilities are a vital part of who Minnesota is, and ensuring strong and sustainable foundations for these services needs to be a top priority for our elected officials.

Both the House and Senate booths are located in the Education Building, north of Dan Patch on Cosgrove St.

State Senate Schedule

Monday, August 28th
Noon to 2 p.m.: Senator John Marty (Senate District 66)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Senator Jerry Relph (Senate District 14)

Tuesday, August 29th
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Senator Mary Kiffmeyer (Senate District 30)
10 a.m. to Noon. Senator David Osmek (Senate District 33)
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Senator Roger Chamberlain (Senate District 38)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Senator Charles Wiger (Senate District 43)
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Senator Dan Hall (Senate District 56)

Wednesday, August 30th
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Senator David Tomassoni (Senate District 6)

Thursday, August 31st
10 a.m. to Noon. Senator David Osmek (Senate District 33)
Noon to 2 p.m.: Senator Carrie Ruud (Senate District 10)
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Senator Greg Clausen (Senate District 57)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Senator Jim Abeler (Senate District 35)

Sunday, September 3rd
Noon to 2 p.m.: Senator Carla Nelson (Senate District 26)

Monday, September 4th
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Senator John Hoffman (Senate District 36)

State House Schedule

Monday, Aug. 28
10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Lyndon Carlson, Sr. (DFL-Crystal), Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Rep. Drew Christensen (R-Savage)

Tuesday, Aug. 29
10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Mike Freiberg (DFL-Golden Valley), Rep. Paul Torkelson (R-Hanska)
Noon to 2 p.m.: Rep. Dave Baker (R-Willmar)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins)

Wednesday, Aug. 30
10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Andrew Carlson (DFL-Bloomington), Rep. Peter Fischer (DFL-Maplewood)
Noon to 2 p.m.: Rep. Randy Jessup (R-Shoreview)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Rep. Clark Johnson (DFL-North Mankato)

Thursday, Aug. 31
10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL-International Falls)

Friday, Sept. 1
10 a.m. to noon: Rep. Tony Jurgens (R-Cottage Grove)
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville), Rep. Liz Olson (DFL-Duluth)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Rep. Sandra Masin (DFL-Eagan)

Saturday, Sept. 2
Noon to 2 p.m.: Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron)

Sunday, Sept. 3
Noon to 2 p.m.: Rep. Duane Sauke (DFL-Rochester)
2 p.m.to 4 p.m.: Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-Edina)

Monday, Sept. 4
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Rep. Paul Rosenthal (DFL-Edina)

Rochester-area Disability Service Proivders Highlight Staffing Crisis

Eight Rochester-area organizations that provide a range of support and services to people with disabilities in Southeast Minnesota held a press conference to call attention to the growing problem of direct care staff recruitment and retention. The group included Hiawatha Homes, Bear Creek Services, Winghouse, PossAbilities, ARSYS, Cardinal of Minnesota, Ability Building Center, and the Arc of Southeastern Minnesota. Each organization highlighted how the shortages are affecting their current employees and more importantly, the people they support.

'In A Fight For Our Lives' - Rochester Post-Bulletin

Providers, parents and people who receive services at a press conference highlighting the growing direct care staffing shortage for people with disabilities (Photo credit: Rochester Post-Bulletin)

According to the coverage in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, the group highlighted the big reason for the challenges: static starting hourly wages ranging from $11 to $12.07. Employees at agencies like these are paid through Medicaid funding controlled by the state. Best Life Alliance, a state coalition of organizations and individuals that work with people with physical and/or mental disabilities, is asking the state approve a 4 percent wage increase in 2017 and another in 2018 to help them recruit and retain employees.

Disability services workforce shortage reaches "crisis proportions" - KIMT-TV

The spokespeople for the providers also highlighted how the issues they face are shared across Minnesota, and the country. Coverage from KIMT Channel 3 News shared how legislated pay increases have not kept up with the rising costs over the past decade. Because of low wages there are more than 8,700 open care giver and staff jobs in the state.

 

Many of the local providers at the press conference say there is a strain on overworked staff trying to make up for open positions that providers are struggling to fill and retain. The turnover rates at these local organizations, and others around the state, are high, and this hurts the people who rely on direct care staff for support.

The event was also covered by KAAL-TV and FOX47-TV.

Four Keys To A Great Day On The Hill

Recapping the 2017 ARRM/MOHR Day at the Capitol

ARRM's 2017 Day at the Capitol was one of the most successful to date, with over 1,000 people converging on the Minnesota State Capitol to advocate for disability services and staff. There are events like this nearly every day all across the country at the state and federal levels, sometimes making it hard for your message to break through. You don't need hundreds of advocates to make a statement, however. Even a small group from a single organization that is well-organized can make a major impact in one day.

Have a consistent message

Message repetition comes in all forms

The same principles as apply to marketing apply to advocacy: repetition, repetition, repetition. Making sure legislators and their staff hear the same points over and over again, regardless of who delivers them, is key to your day of advocacy leaving a mark. Advocates and speakers at ARRM's Day at the Capitol zeroed in on the need to raise wages for direct care staff and shared striking statistics, such as the fact there are 8,700 open positions across the industry.

• Align your main points with any legislation being supported or other testimony previously given
• Limit yourself to three to five core points
• Share the core points ahead of time with speakers and organizers, and hand out cheat sheets to attendees

Turn out your advocates

More than 1,000 people turned out for ARRM's 2017 Day at the Capitol

Turning out advocates doesn't have to be a numbers game. It's more about making sure the key voices and perspectives you need are there to share your message. As a statewide organization, ARRM worked directly with many of its members to bring groups from every corner of the state. Individual organizations were encouraged to bring both staff as well as invite the people they support.

• Reach out directly to leaders who can help organize their networks
• Communicate clearly, consistently and on several channels about the event details
• Highlight why the day is so important and why people are needed

Engage legislators directly

A group of more than 50 from Rochester, MN met with several area legislators

Having a big rally is fun, but a major key to a successful Day on the Hill is to directly engage with legislators so they can hear details and specifics of why constituents are there. It's critically important to help advocates organize meetings with their representatives, or even just ensure they know to stop by their office to leave a message and notify the staff person why they are there. ARRM helped organize more than 160 meetings with legislators, some with groups as large as 50.

• Encourage people to sign up to meet their legislator
• Give background to advocates on who their legislators are
• Connect with legislators well ahead of time to let them know to save the date for a meeting with constituents

Spread the message wider

Facebook Live video from the Day at the Capitol rally

Policy makers respond to the public as a whole, so bringing a wider audience to a Day on the Hill helps strengthen its power. There are numerous ways to get the word out before, during and after a day of advocacy. For its Day at the Capitol, ARRM and its supporters were able to secure several media stories and had its messages show up in the feeds of tens of thousands of social media users.

• Notify media, using local connections as much as possible. Smaller local publications can be easier to engage, and legislators pay attention to their local media
• Organize on social media by sharing common hashtags ahead of time, as well as sample posts for advocates to use
• Leverage new tools to bring the day to others, such as live video streaming

Check out more of the results of ARRM's 2017 Day at the Capitol on our website, or contact us to learn about how ARRM members can get involved in advocacy.

Best Life Alliance Launches Ahead

It was an action-packed week for the Best Life Alliance, formerly known as The 5% Campaign. The coalition publicly switched on its new name and logo on Monday and officially transitioned from a one-time campaign to a ongoing Home & Community-Based Services coalition. 

On Tuesday morning Best Life Alliance held its very first press conference at the State Office Building.  Parent Pam Gonnella, DSP Sam Subah, LSS CEO Jodi Harpstead, chief Senate author Kent Eken, and House HHS Finance Committee Chair Rep. Matt Dean  spoke. The legislators noted there is already strong bipartisan support of a 5% rate increase for Home & Community-Based Services in 2016 to address the workforce crisis.  "The 5% rate increase is not just about numbers, it's about providing a better quality of life," Sen. Eken told reporters. (The chief author in the House will again be Rep. Rod Hamilton.)

Media present included Don Davis of Forum, Tim Pugmire of MPR, videographers from TPT and KSTP, Patrick Coolican from the Star Tribune, Tim Benjamin and Jane McClure from Access Press, and Jo Erbes from Disability Viewpoints. There were also many supporters who lingered after the conference to record short personal videos for the coalition's social media. 

Yesterday, the initial state budget forecast was released and it showed a $1.9 billion surplus. After a third is moved to the budget reserve as required, distribution of the remaining $1.2 billion will be up for debate. Several media stories following the forecast announcement mentioned the Best Life Alliance five percent rate increase among the priorities being considered for spending the surplus dollars. ARRM CEO Bruce Nelson was quoted in the Pioneer Press article.

The surplus is good news for the Best Life Alliance, but there are many other groups, and state needs like transportation, vying for these dollars. We need to continue to build on our strong, broad coalition of supporters to make sure that community-based services are priority for policymakers before session even begins on March 8th.

Ways to stay updated and support the coalition:

• Follow Best Life Alliance on Twitter @BestLifeMN and on Facebook. Like and share coalition posts and use the new hashtag #BestLife4All in your related posts going forward.  
• View the latest news (including recent coverage of the press conference/budget forecast) by visiting the Best Life Alliance news & media webpage.
• Email me to join the Best Life Alliance email list.
• Spread the word about Best Life Alliance advocacy efforts via social media, on your website
• Add a line noting your support of the Best Life Alliance (with a link) in your email signature.
• Contact your legislators and Governor Dayton

--Amy Wartick, Communications Director