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!

A Valentine's Day Story With Meaning

It's important for those of us who support people with disabilities or advocate on their behalf fully embrace all aspects of community integration and independence that an individual may aspire to. Around Valentine's Day, an appropriate aspect of this to highlight is ensuring people have the opportunities and support to find partners and build safe, loving relationships, and to build those relationships to their fullest potential. The following story was provided by Residential Services, Inc. (RSI) and highlights both the challenges people with disabilities can face in engaging in relationships, but how their successful union not only enhances their lives but also reduces their need for staff support.

Married, but not together

When Jim and Mardell first got married, Jim was living at RSI’s Oregon Creek home and Mardell was receiving services from a different provider in Duluth. Their married relationship started with brief visits for an hour or two, then to visits a few times a week, to overnight visits once or twice a week, to weekend stays. Sharing a home was always their dream. It wasn’t always easy for Mardell, Jim, and their support teams because they lived in different homes owned by different providers and had their own unique medical and emotional needs, but they never lost focus of their ultimate goal. They continuously pushed to increase their independence and build skills so when the time came, they would be ready to support each other.

Thanks to their ability to self-advocate and work with RSI administrators and their support teams, they achieved that goal.

Overcoming barriers, building skills

Moving in together came with barriers and some unique challenges, but now Jim and Mardell share a living space and spend as much time together as they would like (which is a lot!).

Matt Koski, RSI Program Coordinator, says “I am so happy that they are able to fulfill their dreams and be there for one another on a daily basis. They never stopped believing in the process and their love for one another and I firmly believe it's what made this whole transition possible. They put in the hard work and we followed to where they pointed us.”

Together and supporting each other

Now that Mardell and Jim are living together, Mardell is able to assist in caring for her husband, which brings her joy and strengthens the connection they share. They also enjoy playing card games at home, movie nights, and shopping together. 

“We both struggle with mental illness, and it’s like we’re just so good for each other," says Mardell. "There’s purpose in my life. I’ve got something I can look forward to every day, waking up and making my husband’s day the best I can make it.”

We should all be so lucky.

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.

 

Grant for Relationship Development Training

By Eric Pederson, STAR Services, Inc.

We all develop meaningful social relationships. It’s often hard to pinpoint where they start – most occur organically through our daily interactions: work, meeting other parents through kids’ activities, introductions to friends of friends, etc. The more social interaction we have, the more relationships develop. Not only do we not think about how we develop relationships, we don’t consider the significance of our relationships to our sense of community, belonging, and even self-confidence.

Importance of Relationships to People with Disabilities

For the individuals with disabilities we support, the importance of relationships can get lost among all the other supportive services being provided, such as medications, scheduling appointments, grocery shopping, etc. But organization leadership needs to impress on staff that helping the individuals we support form connections to their community is as important as other parts of their job, and that it takes some training, thoughtful planning, and follow through.

Training Resources Available

In 2017, STAR Services began work on an Innovations Grant with DHS to deliver training and mentoring to provider organizations on helping people develop meaningful connections in their community. It starts with staff training, learning the tangible steps to help a person identify and cultivate social relationships. Once a group of interested parties is identified, STAR helps facilitate an individualized plan, and works with the staff implementing the plan to help ensure action is taken. 

The agencies STAR partners with in this grant receive reimbursement for the additional staff time, up to $11,430. With this additional resource, staff receive the training and mentorship to help facilitate the project, and hopefully carry those skills on to help others in the future.

Great Results for People

The results thus far have been amazing:

• One individual joined a hiking club, and through that club developed a friendship with a fellow hiker that has expanded outside of the club
• Another formed a puzzle group at a community center, where a small group has come together on a regular basis, and a natural support group is emerging
• Another, an aspiring photographer, used his social network to meet a professional photo journalist, forming a friendship and mentorship

In hindsight, it seems easy. It’s not. It takes time. It takes a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. 

STAR Services is looking to continue the success of this grant in 2018, and would like to identify agencies who are interested in partnering with us to make this happen. The typical time commitment for staff is one to two days of training, follow up meetings with the individuals identified and their support network, and phone and meeting support of the team during the plan implementation. The agency tracks their time involvement, and receives reimbursement up to $11,430.

Applications are being accepted through January 8, 2018. Click here to apply.

Eric Pederson is CEO of STAR Services, Inc. an ARRM Associate Member, and also serves on the ARRM Board of Directors. STAR Services provides training, education, and consultation to Home and Community Based Service providers.

*DISCLAIMER: This grant opportunity is an independent offering of STAR Services. The ARRM organization is not affiliated.

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.

Top Four Uses of Remote Supervision

Most people involved in services for people with disabilities recognize a support paradigm shift is needed. Current and future workforce and financial realities require us to look for new options and innovation.

Somehow we need to find ways to support more people with less staffing intense services. The use of technology to provide remote supports not only helps achieve this but when we minimize the physical presence of DSPs, many individuals gain the independence to try and do more for themselves. That develops new skills and confidence, with technology and remote (but available) DSP assistance providing a safety and security net.

Residents in this home live without staff in their home at night, with technology like sensors and call buttons keeping staff notified if there are any potential issues.

What is remote supervision?

Remote supervision and support involves the use of various types of technology to provide DSPs critical information about what is happening with and around individuals, without the DSP needing to be in the room or in the building. If/when direct assistance is needed the DSP is informed and goes to the person, but allows individuals their independence and privacy until then.

Four top uses of remote supervision

• Alternative Overnight Supervision – Converting paid sleep staff, available ‘just in case’ a person needs something, to remote supervision with a DSP nearby and available to respond if/when needed.
• Employment and Activity Flexibility – Remotely supervise one or two people at home while others are at work or on activities, allowing individuals freedom to accept evening and weekend work and broader choice in activity participation.
• Health, Safety and Efficiency – Instead of staff doing hourly bed checks to see if someone has fallen, wandered, needs assistance to the bathroom, etc. technology can notify staff when someone’s out of bed, out of room or incontinence detected, remind staff of medications or re-position needs, and individuals can notify staff when they need/want assistance with just a slight movement.
• Lifestyle and Own Home – People needing 24-hour availability of supervision/support move from group living to their own apartments with technology to provide reminders on medications or leaving for work on time, and keeping remote, but available 24/7 DSPs informed of activity and possible assistance needs.

ARRM Technology Conference

There are many stories of individuals and agencies who have used these innovations, increasing self-determination and community integration. The ARRM Technology Conference & Showcase on November 15 is an event designed to show people in the disability services industry how technology is being used to promote independence and efficiency. Breakout sessions include individual and provider stories, plus sessions on ‘how to’ aspects of alternative overnight supervision, using technology for complex medical and behavioral needs, current DHS policy, funding, use of data and more. Whether you are an administrator, program director, DSP, Lead Agency or DHS employee, contract case manager or a parent or advocate, there will be something for you. Register before November 1 for an early bird rate.

-- Sandy Henry, ARRM Technology Sub-Committee Chair

ARRM Welcomes New CEO

We are so excited to announce ARRM has selected its new CEO to succeed Bruce Nelson. Beginning on September 6, Cheryl Pray will take over leadership of ARRM.

Cheryl is a 20-year veteran in nonprofit management whose career is rooted in advocating for people with disabilities and those who support them. She began as a case counselor in a residential facility for people with disabilities, helped shape the Americans with Disabilities Act, and most recently, successfully advocated for the passage of newborn screening legislation in Minnesota as the state director for March of Dimes. In addition to being a sign language interpreter, she is currently serving as a board member for Self Driving US, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that autonomous vehicle technology delivers accessible, equitable and affordable transportation to people with disabilities.

Cheryl had this to say about her new role:

“Now more than ever the critical issues facing ARRM members demand a strong voice to ensure people with disabilities in Minnesota are living, learning, working and enjoying life in the most integrated and independent setting. I am deeply committed to providing the leadership and vision to promote the extraordinary care and services provided to people with disabilities by ARRM members.”

The ARRM Board of Directors, its staff, and our entire membership wish to extend our deepest gratitude to Bruce for his leadership and contributions. During his tenure, Bruce oversaw several successful efforts to improve the support for people with disabilities and their families while at ARRM. He is happily retiring to California to pursue new passions. We are hosting a retirement celebration for Bruce on September 15, details of which are forthcoming soon, and we hope you will join us. Bruce will remain on in an advisory role for a short time to assist with the leadership transition as ARRM prepares for an active legislative session.

“I am forever grateful to have been part of major reforms and many rate increases over the past 21 years,” Bruce said. “To be honest, the brain power and much of the hard work came from our staff and many, many members who volunteered thousands of hours and designed reforms that have improved the quality of life for Minnesotans with disabilities.”

This is a critical moment for Minnesota to be proactive in developing lasting innovations that promote the independence of people with disabilities through partnerships between advocates, policy makers and the provider community. We have the utmost confidence that the kind of collaborative leadership Cheryl has demonstrated over her impressive career will continue to drive this work to the benefit of ARRM members and the people we serve. Please join us in welcoming her!

MBW Company Named Employee Owned Company of the Year by the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter of The ESOP Association

April 4, 2016 (New Ulm, Minnesota) – MBW Company has been selected as the 2016 Employee Owned Company of the Year by The ESOP Association’s Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter. This award, which recognizes the outstanding employee ownership programs of its members, was presented at the quarterly chapter meeting.

MBW Company is a 100% employee-owned business in New Ulm, Minnesota. Since 1978, it has provided support services to people with physical, cognitive, intellectual, and mental health support needs.

"It is a great honor to have been selected as the winner of the 2016 Employee Owned Company of the Year by the Minnesota & Dakotas Chapter of The ESOP Association," commented Ric Nelson, President & CEO.  "We are proud to be an ESOP company and strongly believe in the power of employee ownership and how it naturally supports our mission of enriching the quality of life for individuals with disabilities."

The organization's employee owners have a history of donating significant time and effort to support their community and state, and have garnered multiple awards over the years for their generous spirit.

The award judges' found that "the mission and value of MBW is truly an inspiration." They also touted the organization for its support of the Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter and the ESOP model. "Their involvement in attending chapter events and willingness and eagerness to assist in the chapter's government relations mission makes this company the perfect candidate for us to submit to the national office of the ESOP Association for consideration to become the 2016 National Employee Owned Company of the Year." 

Winners from The ESOP Association's 18 chapters are considered for The National Employee Owned Company of the Year, which will be announced at The ESOP Association's National Conference in Washington, DC on May 18.