ARRM's Daily Dispatch

ICF/MR Study Plan Report

On November 14th, DHS will disseminate a draft version of the ICF/MR Study Plan Report to gather public comment.  They will take comments through November and will use this information to finalize the report due to legislators December 15th, 2008.  To ensure all of our ICF/MR providers receive a draft for comment, ARRM will forward the message to Member CEOs/Main Contacts of agencies that operate ICFs/MR.  ARRM will also be reviewing the report and submitting comments.

Daily Dispatch: October 15, 2008

Daily Dispatch: October 15, 2008

The League of Cities group to address come cities’ perception of over-concentration of various types of residential facilities met yesterday and moved in a positive direction. 

Co-chair Vic Moore (who represents St. Louis Park) said the cities will do “nothing to impede the rights of residents.”The group of cities, advocates and providers agreed. The cities said they want notification of homes in order to provide emergency and other services. The key is what information and when.

ARRM CEO Bruce Nelson, Moore’s co-chair, noted that we can work together if there are protections barring the misuse of any information of where homes are located. Nelson agreed to work with the cities, attorneys and state officials with the understanding that any notification – most information is already public data – includes those legal protections. 

METO

The Senate Health and Human Services Budget Division heard from Roberta Opheim, the state’s Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Monday about her investigation that uncovered the outrageous use of restraints at the state’s METO crisis program in Cambridge. 

The Division then heard testimony from DHS officials Loren Colman and Mike Tessneer, who said the practices have been stopped and they had engaged a consultant to provide recommendations. Three senators, including Kathy Sheran, Ann Lynch and Division Chair Linda Berglin criticized the Department for lack of oversight that allowed the routine use of restraints – such as handcuffs – for two years. 

The Arc of Minnesota and ARRM will continue to follow-up.