Personal Assistant Services

Public Testimony Needed!!!

Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:53 Brigette Menger-Anderson

Thursday March 11^th- Hearing on the PCA Bills

Public testimony is now being taken at this hearing from individuals who will be affected by the change in eligibility criteria requiring a hands-on dependency in two ADLs, effective July 01, 2010!

Rm 200 State Office Building at 2:45 pm.

If you are a consumer with non-physical and/or non-visible disabilities, please consider signing up to share your story. You can do so by calling (651) 296-2146 or 1 (800) 657-3550. You can also contact Anni Simons if you would like to know more about what your testimony should include at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Also: An introduction to Bill HF1680, in which Minnesota legislators resolve to apologize on behalf of citizens of the state to all persons with mental illness, development and other disabilities who have been wrongfully committed to state institutions.

Remind legislatures that while we are grateful for the acknowledgement of the injustices to individuals who were placed in institutions in the past, the policy decisions that they made in 2009 and continue to support in 2010 may send some individuals back to institutionalized living and reduce quality of life for many!

DON’T LET HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF-

INDEPENDENCE COSTS LESS.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:59

2010 Legislative Edition Bulletin

Thursday, 04 March 2010 15:57 Matt Saari

PAS SPRING BULLETIN has arrived! Information on what is happening in the disability community regarding legislative cuts and info on how to get involved!

Take a look:

icon 2010 Spring PAS Bulletin (647.15 kB 2010-03-04 13:56:55)

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:45

Help the Courage Center save vital therapies for individuals with disabilities.

Thursday, 25 February 2010 16:17 Brigette Menger-Anderson

By law, Minnesota is required to have a balanced budget in each biennium. Today, state revenue is lagging behind state spending at a rate of about $4.3 million, per day. Lawmakers are tasked with having to plug that gap before the 2010 session ends on May 17. If unchecked, the deficit would grow to $1.2 billion by the end of the fiscal year. Gov. Pawlenty recently released his plan for balancing the state budget, largely focused on cuts in spending. Of great concern, is $347 million in proposed cuts to health and human services programs.

How do the proposed state budget cuts affect Courage Center's work?
As he did last year, the Governor has proposed the elimination of physical, occupational, and speech therapy services if enacted into law, this would take effect Jan. 1, 2011, for adults enrolled in the Medical Assistance or MinnesotaCare program.

Additionally, Medical Assistance payments to Courage Center would be cut by 2.5 percent, effective Oct. 1, 2010, for participants in the Transitional Rehabilitation Program, and for all waivered services (such as Independent Living Skills and Behavior Services).

What does that mean for Courage Center and the people it serves?
Our 12,000 clients represent some of the state's most vulnerable citizens. More than 35 percent of them rely on Medical Assistance as their only form of health insurance. Important reforms are now underway in the health system overall and in MA specifically that over time will greatly improve the system: payment reforms, Health Care Homes, tightening the PCA program, standardizing payment for services and state (rather than county) regulation of providers, and more consistency in assessing long-term care needs. These and other changes will save money and create greater program accountability. Unfortunately, the savings won't be booked this biennium.

We urge the Legislature to stay the course and even accelerate progress toward fundamental reform. The Governor's proposals to drastically limit access to needed health services - like rehabilitation therapies - for those with complex needs will not save money in the long run. Nor will further reducing the already unsustainably low payment rates to providers of basic services. Further cuts will cause high-quality organizations like Courage Center to cut services and reduce access, and the clients we now serve will see declines in health and independence. The building blocks of reform would be seriously compromised.

Is this a done deal?
No. Courage Center's Public Affairs team will be working to preserve access to rehabilitation therapies and current payment rates for services. Working with many organizations last year, we preserved rehabilitation therapies. We're hopeful we will again succeed this year.

What can I do?
Call your legislator and respectfully say: Hello, I am calling to ask you to please consider preserving Minnesota's rehabilitation therapies, and I've seen the difference they can make in the lives of individuals who have had an accident, injury, or live with a disability. I hope my taxpayer dollars will continue to fund these cost-effective services. Thank you for your time.

This outreach really does make a difference, and is critical for us to be successful in preserving such vital services for individuals with disabilities.

What if I don't know who my legislator is?
Click here to find out or call 651-296-2146 and legislative staff will assist you in finding out.

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 February 2010 17:31

Join us at the Capitol!

Thursday, 11 February 2010 19:24 Brigette Menger-Anderson

Tuesdays at the Capitol

February 16, 2010 through May 4, 2010

JOIN US! – Each Tuesday during the legislative session, MN-CCD will be at the Capitol to help people share their stories about the importance of disability services with legislators and to ensure there is a disability community presence at the Capitol.

ALSO: JOIN US FOR OUR DAY AT THE CAPITOL: MCIL will Co-Sponsor on Wednesday March 17th with SEMCIL, ILCIL, MSCOD & DSPAM! We will meet at 10am in the Rotunda of the Capitol. This event is free and open to the public, but for an attendee count, we ask you to register with Betty at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling 651.646.8342.

Please support all the hosts and come when you can!

AGENDA

10:00am Welcome and introduction with MN-CCD leaders in the State Office Building Basement Cafeteria – (right side of the room)

10:30am – 12pm Meet with your legislators and share your personal story

12:00pm – 1pm Lunch in the Department of Transportation Cafeteria

1:00pm Advocates are encouraged to attend hearings or meet with their legislators if they were unable to do so in the morning

CCD WILL:

- Provide 'talking points' about disability services and tips on how to tell your story

- Provide a daily schedule highlighting relevant committee hearings

- Provide "Disability Matters- Independence Costs Less' stickers

- When relevant, provide materials specific to certain legislation

- Be available from 12 -1 for Q and A in the Department of Transportation Cafeteria

YOU WILL:

- Learn how to find and meet your legislator

- Share your personal story with your legislator

- Educate yourself about disability programs and services

- Become an effective advocate for yourself and the broader disability community

Email Anni at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign up for one or more Tuesdays at the Capitol. Advocates are encouraged to set up meetings with legislators in advance (contact MN-CCD or your affiliated advocacy organization for assistance). While we hope you can join us at 10 a.m., you are welcome to join in at any time.

Please see below for literature that will be available to advocates who attend "Tuesdays at the Capitol".If you work with a disability organization and you might be interested in "hosting" a Tuesday during the session, please see the "Host org/MN-CCD" document below for further information.

Tuesdays at the Capitol - Host Org-MN-CCD Responsibilities Final.doc

MN-CCD Disability Services Fact Sheet 2010 Session.doc

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:49

DHS announces 30 days to hear from consumers and DSPs affected by 2009 Legislative changes.

Thursday, 11 February 2010 15:29 Brigette Menger-Anderson

Many consumers are already recieving notice that their services are being reduced drastically, and have indicated that loosing access to services could greatly increase risks to their health, safety and independence. This is your time to let DHS know how your life is being impacted

Please, take a few minutes to tell your story, and join us at our Disability Day at the Capitol. As a community that is being marginalized, exploited and facing system-wide discrimination, we need to be seen and heard and taken seriously.

The Disability Services Division Is Announcing Two Public Comment Periods:

Comment Period Regarding Policy Implementation for Legislated PCA Provider Requirements

Comment Periods Begin: February 10, 2010.

Comment Periods End: March 11, 2010.

Submit Comments to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Link to DHS DSD PCA Services Comment Period Announcement.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 10 March 2010 09:49

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