ARRM News and Public Relations

Supporting a Spirit of Volunteering

Submitted by Debby Felske, Oakridge Woodview

Ensuring people have the opportunities to engage with their communities and express their interests and passion is a core component of home and community-based services. For many of the people receiving such support, it’s important to them not only be active, but to give back to the communities in which they live.

Since 2001, Oakridge Woodview has made this a priority of our scope of support for the people we serve. It began by sitting down with each individual, looking at their interests and organizations they were already a part of, and developing ideas of how they could make a difference by volunteering just one hour during the coming year.

In that first year, 45 began volunteering, giving 1,197 hours back to their communities. In 2017, that number has grown to 107 people volunteering their time, 3,144 hours of time to be exact.

Every person able to give back

Everyone can get involved, at some level, if they have the opportunity to do something they are passionate about and enjoy. For example, some people who have a hard time leaving their home have made pet toys and pet treats to donate to the local animal shelters. We support several people who cut coupons and donate them to the Women’s auxiliary of the American Legion, which in turn mails the coupons overseas to the service men and their families. Others donate time at animal shelters, nursing homes, and the local soup kitchen.

Many people ring the Salvation Army bell, including one gentleman who puts on his Santa suit and brings along Christmas music. This year he rang for 21 hours between Thanksgiving and Christmas in his community.

Each February, Oakridge holds a Volunteer Celebration where we recognize each volunteer for all they have done. We have songs about volunteering, books, poems readings. We try to invite one or two speakers from the places people volunteer to thank them for volunteering and let them know how important they are. In addition, three ladies we support have received the Women of Today Volunteer Award, given to a person with disabilities who is an outstanding volunteer in their community.

Direct support staff play significant role

It’s also important to recognize our direct support staff who play a significant role in helping the people we serve make these meaningful volunteer contributions. Most individuals utilize a staff person to support them while they volunteer. It’s a critical part of their jobs and something incorporated into weekly schedules as much as possible. Moreover, each April staff meet with every person Oakridge supports if there is something else their staff can do to support them in developing relationships and giving back to the communities in which they are so fortunate to live in.

Recognizing tremendous service

Oakridge is proud to support people with such an amazing spirit of service. We are pleased to recognize their more than 3,100 hundred volunteer hours in 2017 this Volunteer Recognition Month, and excited to work with people to expand upon the opportunities and ideas for volunteering to meet all the needs of the people we serve.

Supporting Advocacy, Empowering Independence

By Ashly Wiczek, Home and Community Options (Ashly is also a member of the ARRM Public Relations Committee)

Brock Mosher has used Home and Community Options services for most of his adult life. Home and Community Options (HCO) offers support and residential services to children and adults with developmental disabilities who need assistance in the Winona, MN area.

“These services are training them for life and helping them grow as people,” Jan Mosher, Brock’s mother said. “Every year they learn something new.” When Brock began working with HCO, he needed support 40 hours per week. Over the years, he has seen that number fall to a mere three hours per week. Not only did Brock learn to live more independently via his supports, Brock met his wife, Nikki, as well.

Needs For Support Can Be Just Around The Corner

Brock and Nikki's story is unique, because the know both the value of lifelong daily support services that many people with disabilities and their families understand. But two years ago, they went through the kind of unexpected trauma that changed their lives dramatically, an experience the broader public often forgets can happen to anyone. Luckily for them, it was only temporary.

“I got hit by a car on my bike and it broke my leg,” he said. “With my leg being broken, I was pretty much stuck so I couldn’t do much of anything.” Brock’s injury required a several month hospitalization and rehab stay, and just like everyone else he needed some additional help during his recovery. “My staff took over paying my bills. It was hard because I wanted to do the bills myself, but my staff had to take over because I was stuck...”

Brock’s injury also had an enormous impact on his wife. Nikki has Cerebral Palsy and needs assistance with many daily tasks like bathing, cleaning, and cooking – tasks that her husband would normally have assisted her with. Nikki was also able to receive additional support from HCO, which enabled her to continue living in their apartment while her husband was recovering. “I couldn’t have lived there without the help of PCA’s. I would have been sent to live in a group home,” she said.

The Importance of Advocacy

That unexpected need for direct care assistance, and the potential consequences for Brock and Nikki had it not been available right when they needed it, energized them to become more involved in public policy advocacy for direct care staff and the supportive services they provide. That advocacy is even more important for those who don't have a partner, or other friend, family member, or guardian (what are called "natural supports") to help support them. “Many individuals don’t have family or a guardian," Jan says. "If they lose services, they can end up in the correction system or medical system because they aren’t cared for properly.”

Since his recovery, Brock and Nikki have been passionate in talking with HCO’s Grassroots Advocacy Task Force about this challenging time in their lives and the profound impact of the additional care they received. The Grassroots Advocacy Task Force helps individuals advocate for themselves with state legislators, addressing issues like where they want to live, the critical impact of the services they receive, and the importance of funding those services.

“If the funding doesn’t get better, I could lose my staff which would affect my life drastically,” Brock says.

Building Voices, Building Energy

The Task Force meets monthly and leads a large group of self-advocates, family, and staff on yearly trips to the State Capitol to attend rallies and meet with local legislators.

The popularity of HCO’s Grassroots Task Force and corresponding Capitol trips has grown substantially in recent years - so much so that HCO recently had to request a larger, 56-passenger bus and use an additional van to accommodate everyone. As the self-advocacy efforts of HCO individuals continue to grow, it provides a strong message of empowerment for those who have begun to find their voice. When asked about her personal goals with HCO and Grassroots, Nikki said, “I want to make a difference, get my voice out there, and become more independent.”

The Grassroots Task Force attended the “ARRM Day at the Capitol” on March 13, 2018. Attendees were excited and eager to join over 1,000 fellow Minnesotans advocating for disability services from across the state.

 

Many ARRM members support or assist people in engaging with self-advocacy organizations. ARRM provides grassroots advocacy tips and resources for organizations, staff, self-advocates and family members. Visit the ARRM website for more.

Overcoming Different Relationship Challenges

Jon and Stacey have a beautiful partnership. They know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They know when their partner is having a bad day and how to help them feel better. Most importantly, they make each other happy and fulfilled every day.

Like any couple, it took work to get to where they are today. But as single people with traumatic brain injury and other disabilities receiving significant daily care supports, they faced a different, and in many ways more challenging, path to achieving their dream life together.

Developing co-support, co-independence skills

Jon and Stacey will tell you their connection was almost immediate when they met. They were lucky enough to find each other as they both received supportive services from Mary T., Inc. and developed their bond through ongoing interactions.

They knew they belonged together and planned for marriage and living on their own. However, both Jon and Stacey did have needs related to their disabilities requiring regular daily support and supervision, including some personality traits that could make maintaining their relationship challenging. But their goal and wishes were clear, so they worked hard with support from staff at Mary T. to develop the skills they would need to live together on their own, including how to use their bond and individual skills to help support each other in their unique needs.

Why can’t I live with my partner?

But that wasn’t the only barrier Jon and Stacey faced. As many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities know, the very care plans created to support them can at times be hurdles to building relationships. Staff and providers are held tightly to following those plans, so if someone wants to spend the night at their significant other’s home, or even have a dinner date alone with a romantic interest, those interactions can be subject to strict scheduling or even the presence of support staff.

In such situations, it’s extremely important that staff and case managers, as well as guardians if they are in the mix, listen and appreciate the interests of those seeking relationship goals, and work proactively with them to achieve the lifestyle they want while also providing the supports to promote health, safety and happiness.

A happy home this Valentine’s Day

This is what Mary T. and its team did, working with Jon and Stacey to support their relationship but also to help them advocate for their goal of living together independently in their own home. On August 21, 2010 their union was blessed in the backyard of the group home where they met. In March of the following year, Jon and Stacey moved to their own townhome.

Jon and Stacey now have that happy home, celebrating their sixth Valentine’s Day together there this year, and because they have such a strong relationship built on supporting one another they rely much less on the support of direct care staff.

Their relationship advice to others, “Take it slow. Get to know each other. Look for something you want in your life and keep going. Have faith and trust in the other person.”

Happy Belated Valentine’s Day, Jon and Stacey!

Healthy Living Supports Leads to Health Communities

While most of the rest of the country has already given up on their 2018 healthy living resolutions, in the world of Home and Community-Based Services, people are just getting started. Eating balanced meals and exercising is just part of life for some, but it’s something many people rely on Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) for, with huge impacts not just on health but on the whole community.

Healthy living a critical support

For some, their disability affects a healthy relationship to food, from extremely picky appetites to restrictive diets to self-control challenges to mobility issues, all of which can lead to broader health issues if not managed properly with the support of their DSPs.

As our broader society continues to deal with growing issues around food-related health conditions, ARRM members see it in the people they support. According to Jody Hudson, Director of Development and Communications for CCRI (Creative Care for Reaching Independence) in Moorhead, Minn., they have seen an increase in the number of people diagnosed as pre-diabetic.

Life skills for DSPs, lifelong benefits

CCRI also realized that many DSPs, while they enter the field receiving extensive training in health and human services skills, often had little culinary training for healthy meal preparation, either to do it themselves or to teach and support people. CCRI worked with the organization PartnerSHIP 4 Health to offer free healthy cooking classes for DSPs, as well as create healthy recipes for homes so DSPs could work with people to better manage their diet.

Having a variety of meals to be able to choose from is not only an expectation of truly living independently, but is also a key piece of eating healthy so the only meal alternative isn’t fast food or pizza.

One kept resolution benefits us all

There are broader benefits to supporting people in achieving their healthy living goals. When people are able to live healthier, they can avoid needing costly medical care and stay more active in their communities. According to the Minnesota Hospital Association, the cost of one hospital visit for diabetes related care can cost more than $20,000. A small investment in healthier living helps ensure more public resources go towards helping people live full, independent and healthy lives.

Watch CCRI talk about their Healthy Cooking, Healthy Living partnership on Valley News Live, and read more about it on their blog.

 

Travel Tips for Getting Around the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl officially kicked off Monday night, which marks the start to an exciting stretch of events and activities, but also potential headaches and challenges of navigating around Downtown Minneapolis if you are a person with disabilities or a staff person traveling with them.

The good news is there are lots of helpful tips and sources of information to help, many of which have been compiled by Molly Ditter and Ashlee Cermak from Integrity Living Options. Here are some of their tips:

1. Use Metro Transit as much as possible: Between road closures and altered parking options (and more expensive parking), traveling on your own four wheels can be tricky and potentially costly. The Super Bowl organizers strongly recommend Metro Transit as the best option for getting to and traveling around Downtown. There are affordable day passes that can be purchased from the Metro Transit app or at station ticket machines to avoid the hassle of paying for each ride.
2. Plan for delays all around: If you are headed Downtown for appointments or activities, expect that traveling everywhere will take longer and be more crowded. The Super Bowl Host Committee anticipates approximately 100,000 people filling Downtown each day.
3. Manage medical appointments (and other appointments) accordingly: With all the extra traffic and people, hospitals, clinics and businesses are doing their best to manage services and expectations. In a recent story, the Hennepin County Medical Center said they would try to accommodate people delayed for appointments but asked people to do their best to plan ahead. If you can, try to move your appointments to after the Super Bowl.
4. Be extra cautious, extra aware: With a huge influx of people and vehicles, many of whom are likely to be unfamiliar with Downtown, it’s important to be extra aware of your surroundings when on foot. Stay close with your party and consider remaining in physical contact at all times. Always keep bags and other positions in your hands and secure to protect against theft or loss. When on sidewalks and crossing streets, be 100 percent focused on traffic and directions, double checking traffic signals and cars, as well as ensuring drivers see you before crossing, such as if they are waiting to make a right-hand turn.

Don’t forget that while not as crowded, Downtown St. Paul is also home to many Super Bowl events and we recommend keeping many of these same tips in mind.

For additional information and tips, these guides can be good resources:

Super Bowl 52 Know Before You Go

Metro Transit Super Bowl Guide

Safety Tips from Super Bowl 50

Upcoming Americans with Disabilities 26th anniversary celebration

Don't forget to mark your calendars for next Tuesday, July 26th to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This year's theme is "Celebrating Diversity in our Community", the event is scheduled from 3 to 8:30 pm a the Minnesota History Center.

Details for the event include:

From 3:00-5:00 pm

• Keynote address from Ken Rodgers, chair of the Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities
• Panel discussion on the joys and challenges of living with a disability in a culturally diverse community

From 6:30-7:00 pm

• Dance lessons and performance from Angelique Lele, Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2015, and Young Dance

From 7:00-8:30 pm

• Music and dancing with classic rock band Tamarak

You can find more information on the event here. You can find more information on the Americans with Disabilities Act here.

ARRM members named as Star Tribune 2016 Top Workplaces in Minnesota

ARRM would like to applaud all of our outstanding Organizational members who were named as a Star Tribune 2016 Top Workplace in Minnesota. These companies receive this recognition based solely on surveys about the workplace completed by their employees.

In one survey response, an employee from Living Well Disability Services, Inc. stated: “I get to make a difference in the daily lives of the people I work with.” Thank you to these members, and all of our members who strive every day to create a positive workplace for their employees. These employees are the ones making a difference in the lives of thousands of Minnesotans with disabilities across the state.

ARRM Organizational Member winners include:

• ACR Homes
• Aveyron Homes, Inc.
• Cardinal of Minnesota, Ltd.
• CCRI, Inc.
• Hammer Residences
• Living Well Disability Services, Inc.
• Mains’l Services, Inc.
• People Incorporated
• The Phoenix Residence, Inc.

You can view the full list of Star Tribune 2016 Top Workplaces in Minnesota here.

11th Annual ART-Abilities opening this Saturday, October 24th

ARRM is excited to partner once again with the Hennepin County Library, Homeward Bound and Dependable Home Health Care for the 11^th Annual ART-Abilities event. ART-Abilities celebrates the talent of artists with disabilities in our community, and is sponsored by the Friends of the Ridgedale Library.

This year’s opening will take place on Saturday, October 24^th. The event will begin at 11:15 in the first floor atrium with live music and a celebration of the artists that help make ART-Abilities possible. The gallery opening will take place from noon-1:00 on the second floor of the Ridgedale Library. The gallery will be on display October 24^th through November 22^nd.

The opening is open to the public; please join us on Saturday, October 24^th to celebrate these artists and their work.

Governor Mark Dayton issues proclamation for Direct Support Professionals Week

Governor Mark Dayton has issued an official proclamation declaring the week of September 7-13, 2014 as Direct Support Professionals Week. By issuing this proclamation, Governor Dayton joins 32 other Governors as well as the mayor of Washington D.C. in recognizing next week as Direct Support Professionals Week.

Within the proclamation, Governor Dayton states: "Direct support professionals provide essential support that helps individuals with disabilities stay connected to family, friends and the community; and direct support professionals help individuals live meaningful, productive lives, and make it possible for them to live successfully in their communities."

ARRM would like to thank Governor Dayton for issuing this proclamation, and the thousands of Direct Support Professionals around the state that deserve to be honored for the extraordinary work every week.

View Governor Dayton's proclamation here.

 

Volunteers from Harry Meyering Center help prairie grow.

Last weekend, a group of about 50 people from Harry Meyering Center volunteered to help cut plants and separate seeds in a prairie near Mankato.

These volunteers save the DNR time and money and is another great example of what providers are doing around the state, to enrich their communities.

To read the full article click here.

Thank you Harry Meyering Center for your continued work in your community!

--Sara Grafstrom, Director of Advocacy and Community Relations