One of the most important roles an association plays on behalf of its members is to gather, synthesize, and present member data and information to positively represent its members and achieve their advocacy goals. A benefit of association membership is to contribute your organization’s data, along with your fellow members, and receive a value-added resource.
Our field is in a moment where this is more important than ever
7% Impact Report
ARRM is seeking to collect all manner of information from its members on the state of their organizations and the overall system management in the aftermath of the 7 percent cuts. This information will be critical to help develop a narrative describing and showcasing the harm caused to the home and community based service systems and those people who it is the mission of the system to support.
ARRM’s goal, on behalf of its members, is not only work to roll back the 7% cuts, but to do that and add additional investments and policies to combat the workforce shortage and continue progress towards greater independence for people. To do that, we need to be able to demonstrate in a specific and evidence-backed way that the 7 percent cuts threw an already unstable and strained system into a dangerous level of chaos.
Show, Not Tell
Because we live it every day, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that the majority of Minnesotans don’t have any perspective of the issues providers face, and even more so why it impacts people with disabilities in a negative. If we’re being brutally honest, the phrase “7 percent cut” doesn’t mean anything to most people; the phrase “people with disabilities will lose services” doesn’t resonate with most people; even the phrase “9,000 open direct care positions” means little for people with no context for what it means. This includes the vast majority of legislators.
However, when we can show the negative impacts, we know we get results. In the most recent example, when one ARRM member opened their doors and laid out to State Sen. Mark Koran the dire situation the 7 percent cuts put their organization, pushing it over the edge on top of an existing staffing crisis, Sen. Koran launched into action. When faced with the clear risk of nearly a dozen high-needs people being left with no viable option for supportive services short of hospitalization or incarceration, Sen. Koran listened and started acting to address the situation with not just passion, but understanding.
Help ARRM Build More Champions
By the start of the 2019 Legislative Session, we need every state legislator to get to Sen. Koran level, and we need to do the same thing with the broader public. To do that, ARRM needs members to track and share specific and demonstrable impacts since the implementation of the 7 percent cuts.
We have been engaging in ongoing conversations with Legislators and their staff who are continually asking for stories. Please send in your information as soon as possible.
It’s not just financial information or workforce information we want to report. We know there are already negative impacts in the following categories:
- Financial loss
- Workforce impacts (from lost staff to delayed raises)
- Forced service changes, cuts, denials, or outright closures and discharges
- Other negative impacts, such as bogged down case managers
ARRM is engaging in this work with the strong encouragement of the ARRM Board of Directors and Committees because we know it is a critical moment. Please work with your association staff to ensure your story is told and contributes to a better future for providers and the people of Minnesota we support.
You can submit any of this information to ARRM with this simple form. Please don’t hesitate to contact ARRM staff for questions or assistance.
--Sue Schettle, CEO