Capitol Connector - The Arc Minnesota

Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) Virtual Visits

Hannah Clark — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 17:19:07 +0000

The annual Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) virtual visits were held on March 30. The goals of the Disability Policy Seminar are to speak directly with federal elected officials and staff to advocate for policy changes that can improve services and self-direction for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

The Arc Minnesota collaborated with the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) and MN LEND, and The Arc’s national partners for the Disability Policy Seminar were the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACCD), the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD), the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), and the Autism Society.

There was a discussion of issues related to programs like Medicaid, Social Security, Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Education issues included a lack of support systems for students with disabilities and mistreatment of students with disabilities in some schools. Another issue discussed was the unfairness of SSI limitations that leave millions of people with disabilities impoverished.

Staff and volunteers of The Arc Minnesota including Capitol Connectors teams, self-advocates, and MN LEND Fellows met virtually with the staff of Minnesota’s seven House members and the staff of Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Smith. Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-3) briefly addressed those attending the meeting with the staff from his office.

The Arc Minnesota will continue to build relationships with staff from these congressional offices.

Written by Tim Schnell, Grassroots Organizing and Community Engagement Intern

The post Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) Virtual Visits first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Disability Policy Seminar (DPS) Virtual Visits appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Gov. Walz’s 2022 Supplemental Budget Recommendations

Hannah Clark — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 19:57:09 +0000

Traditionally, an even numbered year is known as a “bonding year” and odd numbered years are known as “budget years”. However, the Governor does have the authority to propose a Supplemental Budget and Gov. Walz has put together a proposal. What makes this year unique is that in addition to state dollars there are also federal dollars as part of COVID relief packages such as the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPC) that remain to be allocated during 2022.

The latest budget forecast shows a $7.7 billion surplus for the Minnesota budget. This is the largest surplus ever recorded.

E-12 Education

Gov. Walz is proposing increases for a number of different programs affecting students with disabilities. Education is a critical service, from pre-school, K-12 to higher education options, people with disabilities deserve opportunities.

Those proposals are summarized below.

$22 million: Student Support Personnel: Funding to address shortages of staff and provide for students’ social, emotional, academic and physical health.

$6 million: School Linked Behavioral Health Grants: Grants to address mental health needs in schools including COVID related issues. In-person services, training, supplies and BIPOC students are funded.

$15 million: Retain and Recruit Education Support Professionals: 20 hours of training for all special education staff annually, plus paying exam fees for qualified individuals to provide services.

$6.6 million: Expand Competency-Based Education: Expansion of evidenced based models building on what students know as an alternative to traditional grading methods.

$5 million: State Funding Special Education Separate Site and Programs: Additional funding for the highest need students who receive special education services.

$683,000: Reduce funding disparities for Young Children with Disabilities: Increased funding for students who need special education in kindergarten settings to be on par with other students.

$540,000: Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Criteria Change and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Updating the rule to remove the discrepancy route to eligibility and other rule changes.

$3.6 million: Provision of Special Instruction: Proposing to expand eligibility for special education services until age 22, consistent with federal law from age 21.

$4.9 million: Intermediate School District Mental Health Innovative Grant Program: Temporary grant program for services at a Level Four setting to provide mental health services for students at intermediate school districts.

$1 million: Intermediate District Support: Five intermediate school districts will receive staff development grants for providing a full-service community school model.

$900,000: Expand Targeted Services: Schools would be able to receive extended time revenue for serving students who have residential placements during the summer.

$1 million: Special Education Life Skills & Vocational Skills Secondary Transition Programs: Up to 25 schools would receive grants to upgrade transitional services for students 18-21 to provide life skills and vocational skills.

$45.6 million: Special Education Cross Subsidy: The Governor recommends cross-subsidy reduction aid be increased to reduce the state total cross-subsidy per average daily membership (ADM) steady at the FY 2019 level of $807. The special education cross-subsidy refers to general education funding that is used to pay for special education costs.

Property Tax Aids & Credits

Tax aids and credits can serve as an important source of additional income for individuals with disabilities and their families. Giving individuals discretion to allocate tax credits to things they choose can be an important way to achieve more equity.

$703 million: Direct Payments to Minnesotans: The Governor recommends a one-time direct payment to Minnesotans. The one-time payment would equal $350 for married joint and head of household filers and $175 for single and married separate filers. To be eligible for the payment, a taxpayer must have filed either a 2020 income tax return by October 15, 2021 or filed for a 2020 property tax refund by 12/31/21.

Expand the K-12 Education Tax Credit: Eligibility would be based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) instead of total household income and the phase-out threshold would go from $33,500 to $70,000 in 2022. Revenue decrease of $12.2 million in 22-23.

Expand the Child and Dependent Care Credit: Increasing the phase-out threshold from $53,100 to $70,000, removing the marriage requirement to claim the newborn credit, and increasing the credit by 30% over the federal tax credit (but not in excess of actual expenditures) for taxable years 2022 and 2023. Revenue decrease of $17.9 million in 22-23.

$1 billion: Frontline Worker Pay: Payments of $1500 per eligible person awarded to workers who provided services during the COVID-19 pandemic in higher risk occupations in the medical and service industry. Occupations that are eligible will be determined by the legislature.

Health & Human Services

The Arc Minnesota supports investments in accessible affordable health care, and services that allow people to choose how they live and who provides supports.

$47.8 million: Increasing Health Care Affordability for Minnesotans: Individuals who have incomes too high to qualify for MinnesotaCare would be eligible for a buy-in option. The proposal would establish another option in public health care programs. Premium decreases in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) set to expire at the end of 2022 would be continued.

$1.6 million: Coverage for Undocumented Children: The Governor recommends expanding the MinnesotaCare program to provide coverage to undocumented children under the age of 19 beginning January 1, 2024. This state-only program is expected to serve an additional 1700 children.

$6.5 million: Continuous Medical Assistance Eligibility for Children Under 21: Eligibility for children under 21 would be extended to 12 months of continuous eligibility unless cancellation is requested, children have moved out of state, or pass away. After 12 months, the standard MA redetermination rules will apply.

$967 million (General) $529 million (Federal TANF): Stabilizing Working Minnesotans: Changes to the calculation of Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) to calculate benefits on a six month reporting schedule than a monthly reporting schedule, while aligning benefits more closely with SNAP food assistance and housing support.

$82 million: Addressing Deep Poverty: People at the deepest poverty level who receive General Assistance would see benefits rise from $203 per month to $344 per month. The benefits would be indexed to inflation in the future. This would be the first increase in benefits since 1986.

$35 million: Emergency Services Funding for Shelters: Additional funding to provide shelter for homeless individuals and address needs related to COVID-19 for increased safety.

$77.5 million: Service Delivery Transformation Continuation: Service Delivery Transformation Continuation: The Governor recommends funding to support continued efforts to transform the human service delivery system towards an integrated, person-centered experience for individuals and families accessing human services programs.

$5 million: Building Assets for Minnesota Families: Increases the lifetime match from $6000 to $9000 for the Family Assets for Independence program that encourages low-income families to save. Also allows participants to contribute to 529 Plans and contribute to emergency savings accounts.

$10.5 million: Expanding Children’s Psychiatric Beds: The funding would be issued through a competitive request for proposal process to hospitals or mental health providers to expand services for children in need of acute psychiatric care.

$954,000: Expanding Support for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs): Additional funding for startup grants for new PRTFs. These facilities provide active treatment at an inpatient level of care under the direction of a physician, seven days per week, to youth under age 21 with complex mental health needs and their families, based on medical necessity.

$540,000: Expanding Mobile Transition Units and Person-Centered Discharges: Recommends expanding mobile transition units and strengthening person-centered discharge planning activities serving children and adults.

$372,000: Expanding Intensive Treatment in Foster Care: Recommends expanding eligibility for the Intensive Treatment in Foster Care Medical Assistance service to include children at risk of an out-of-home placement. This investment will allow for earlier interventions, reducing the need for children to be separated from their families and placed in foster care or residential treatment.

$3,000: American Indian Culturally Responsive Rate in Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI): Recommends changing eligibility for an enhanced reimbursement for (EIDBI) services to promote culturally responsive care offered to American Indian children. A provider may receive the enhanced rate if they are certified by a tribal nation.

$245,000: Children’s Mental Health Community of Practice: Recommends creating a Community of Practice focused exclusively on children’s mental health issues. This network of families, advocates, researchers, providers, and other professionals will be tasked with identifying shared solutions to behavioral health issues facing children and will attempt to identify gaps in care.

$0: (22-23) $20 million (24-25) Expanding Mobile Crisis Grants and Transition to Community Initiative: Recommends additional, ongoing funding of mobile crisis grants to strengthen the state’s mobile crisis infrastructure and help improve access to crisis services by supporting counties and tribes to staff 24-hour mobile crisis lines.

$261,000: Rate Increase for Adult Day Treatment Services: Recommends a rate increase for adult day treatment services. Adult day treatment services stabilize an individual’s mental health and improve independent living and socialization skills.

$0: (22-23) $2.2 million (24-25): Housing Transition Services through Housing Stabilization Services (HSS): Recommends ongoing funding to assist people using Housing Stabilization Services Medical Assistance benefit as they move to stable housing in the community. The proposal would provide up to $3,000 per individual in moving assistance to cover rent or security deposits, utility set-up, and home furnishing.

$0 (22-23) $763,000 (24-25): Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Staff: Recommends establishing permanent funding for additional staffing that assess eligibility for individuals applying for Housing Stabilization Services financial assistance.

$0 (22-23) $11 million (24-25): Community Living Infrastructure Program: Recommends permanent funding for the Community Living Infrastructure Program. This grant program offers financial assistance to individuals with disabilities struggling with housing stability so they can move out of group homes or other congregate settings and return to permanent housing in the community. The program can cover rent and security deposits, utility set-up, and furnishing costs.

$0 (22-23) $3 million (24-25): Increase Transitional Housing Program: Proposes expanding the existing transitional housing program. This program is the primary state program that funds temporary housing and wrap-around support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness as they prepare to transition to long-term housing stability.

$3.6 million: Emergency Background Study Credit: Recommends funding to credit DHS-regulated providers for costs incurred from emergency background studies conducted during the peacetime emergency following resubmission of studies for full federal and state compliance.

$8.9 million: Direct Care and Treatment Electronic Health Record: Recommends funding to continue the development of an electronic health record system for the department’s Direct Care and Treatment programs. Currently, Direct Care and Treatment is not compliant with a Department of Health mandate to have an electronic health record system.

($14.3 million – General) $14.3 million – HCAF: Adjust HCAF Appropriation for Medical Assistance. The Governor recommends increasing the Health Care Access Fund appropriation for Medical Assistance (MA). A corresponding decrease in MA spending occurs in the general fund to fund other health care priorities.

$1.5 million: Disability as a Health Equity Issue: Recommends funding to reduce health disparities among people with disabilities. Funding will support a multi-faceted, cross-agency, cross-sector approach to reduce disability related health disparities; create a health surveillance plan and implementation of community needs assessment.

$5.5 million: Safety Improvements for Long-Term Care Facilities: Recommends the establishment of a new competitive grant program that would provide support to state licensed

long-term care facilities for projects to reduce the transmission risk of COVID and other contagious respiratory conditions.

$22 million: Revitalize Health Care Workforce: Revitalize Health Care Workforce: Recommends a comprehensive workforce package to address the critical challenges in growing and revitalizing Minnesota’s health care workforce to adequately serve our rural and urban underserved families and children. The workforce crisis has been has been challenged even more by COVID-19.

$7.7 million: MNSure Technology Modernization: Recommends a series of investments to upgrade and replace the IT technology that supports the state health care exchange. These investments will transform the health care application and eligibility determination system and add self-service for consumers, and better access for systems caseworkers.

$375,000: MN Council on Disability Capacity Building: Additional staffing is recommended so the Council has the capacity to fully carry out its statutory mission.

Public Safety

Proposals to address public safety and support community initiatives.

$1.2 million: Office of Justice Program Investment: Recommends making an increased, ongoing investment that will enable the Department of Public Safety to address service gaps and improve quality of services, housing services and community outreach.

$12.5 million: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Intervention and Prevention: Recommends investing in programs and services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Funding would be used for competitive grants and for grant administration.

$2 million: Alternatives to Juvenile Detention – Community Outpost: Recommends funding to establish and maintain community outpost houses, which are home-bases to police officers that provide community services including basic health care, access to social services, youth programming, and a variety of classes to improve economic and familial well-being.

$10 million: Community-based Public Safety Grants: Recommends ongoing funding for grants for a variety of community-based public safety programs, including those related to issues such as pretrial services, probation, truancy, elder abuse, youth intervention, neighborhood watch, and resident engagement.

$2.8 million: Alternatives to Juvenile Detention – Youth Conflict Resolution Centers: Recommends funding additional youth conflict resolution centers, which are community spaces to facilitate conflict resolution including courses in community awareness, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and mental health. These centers are primarily for African American youth and are intended to reduce youth violence.

$750,000: Transitional Supportive Housing for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence: Recommends funding transitional housing programming to provide medium-to-longer term housing (up to 24 months) and advocacy services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence to aid in their recovery and healing. Funding would be used to provide grants to 5-10 service providers.

$900,000: Disparities Reduction and Delinquency Prevention Subawards: Recommends expanding grant funding for disparities reduction and delinquency prevention programming in the juvenile justice system.

Human Rights

Upholding the human rights of individuals with disabilities is core to The Arc Minnesota’s mission.

$228,000: Equity and Inclusion Strategic Compliance: Recommends funding to add capacity to the Department’s Office of Equity and Inclusion for Minnesota Businesses. This request would provide the department with needed capacity to help ensure more efficient and effective enforcement of the state’s Workforce Certificates and Equal Pay Certificates.

$383,000: Prohibit Rental Discrimination Based on Public Housing Assistance Status: Recommends providing funding to investigate charges of source of income discrimination in public housing. This request would also update public assistance status protections under the Minnesota Human Rights Act to ensure that renters who access housing choice vouchers (“Section 8”) are treated equally to other renters.

Agriculture

Provisions to reduce hunger or related to needs related to agriculture.

$3 million: Hunger Relief: Recommends increasing grants to Second Harvest Heartland to provide more protein, milk, and surplus agriculture to families facing hunger.

$975,000: Legalizing Adult-Use Cannabis: Recommends funding for the safe and responsible legalization of cannabis for adults in Minnesota, which will include a fiscal impact for the Department of Agriculture. A new Cannabis Management Office would be responsible for the implementation of the regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis, along with the medical cannabis program, and a program to regulate hemp and hemp-derived products. Many individuals with disabilities may choose to access legal cannabis.

Housing Finance

People with disabilities benefit greatly from accessible affordable housing that truly meets the desire of people to live in the community. Housing is a basic human right.

$100 million: Community Stabilization: Recommends a one-time increase in funding to preserve and improve existing housing commonly referred to as Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH). Investing in existing housing is an important and cost-effective way to maintain housing that is currently affordable to low-income households. In recent years the affordability of housing throughout the state has been eroded as older apartments and single-family homes are purchased and upscaled, leading to increased rents or home values.

$10 million: Housing Trust Fund – Rental Assistance: Recommends an increase in funding for the Housing Trust Fund program to provide rental assistance for individuals and families. The state’s rental assistance program helps meet the overall need in the state that is not met through federal programs. Only one out of every four individuals/families that is income-qualified for federal rent receives it.

$19.5 million: Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP): Recommends an increase in funding for the Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program (FHPAP). Significant one-time federal resources, including the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance program, will run out in 2022, leaving many renters one life incident away from losing their housing without adequate homelessness prevention resources.

$12 million: Strengthen the Supportive Housing Model: Recommends an increase in funding to strengthen supportive housing for individuals and families who are at risk of or have experienced homelessness. Certain costs—such as front desk and security costs— are needed for permanent supportive housing developments to operate effectively; however, many do not have a reliable or coordinated source of funding.

Employment & Economic Development

There are many employment supports and economic assistance benefiting people with disabilities.

$170 million: Broadband Development: Recommends one-time funding for the State’s Border-to-Border Broadband Grant program. This funding would continue the work of the program, which is a competitive matching-fund grant program, designed to act as a catalyst to public and private investments in broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state. Greater access to broadband is needed for persons with disabilities.

$11.78 million: Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance: Recommends $11.748 million from the general fund in FY 2023 only and applying a 0.6% employer premium rate to employee wages beginning in calendar year 2024 to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program.

The Governor recommends allowing employees to pay for one-half of the premium rate. In FY 2024 only.

$50 million: Nonprofit Resiliency & Recovery Fund: Recommends one-time funding to create the Nonprofit Resiliency and Recovery Fund, to provide financial support to nonprofits because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds would be distributed through a randomized selection process, and nonprofits that provide essential health and human services would be prioritized, alongside carveouts of $10 million each for culturally specific organizations and small nonprofits located in Greater Minnesota. To be eligible, nonprofits must be located within the state of Minnesota and must have been adversely impacted due to COVID-19.

$104 million: Earned Sick and Safe Time: Recommends statutory changes to require employers to provide employees one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 48 hours per year. This earned sick and safe time could be used for the employee’s own health condition or to care for an ill family member, or for certain absences due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

$160 million: Safe Housing for the Elderly and Vulnerable Adults: Recommends statutory changes to include assisted living and assisted living with dementia care facilities, as licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), to the list of State Licensed Facilities under the Department’s Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD) jurisdiction. Assisted Living is the only remaining type of housing in Minnesota serving vulnerable adults not under CCLD jurisdiction.

$256,000: Advancing Application Accessibility: Recommends improving the accessibility of state technology for Minnesotans with a disability by conducting an evaluation of the accessibility of executive branch software applications and online services, and by identifying opportunities to enhance accessibility. Improved services to the disability community is the goal.

$150,000: Supporting Accessible Technology in State Government: Recommends providing additional funding for Minnesota IT Services (MNIT’s) Office of Accessibility. This proposal would provide ongoing support to efforts enhancing accessible government for all Minnesotans. The recommended funding would allow the office to continue current services with increased personnel costs.

Administration

Funding for state government agencies and related enterprises. Agencies like the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities are part of Administration.

$1 million: Enterprise Language Access Services: Recommends providing translation services for state agencies through a newly established Office of Enterprise Translations within the Department of Administration. The Office would provide in-house translation services for written material and additional services.

$1 million: Cross-Agency Coordination – Children’s Cabinet: Recommends providing dedicated funding for the Children’s Cabinet to align the funding model with the practices of other states and to provide coordination among agencies and engagement with Minnesotans on issues impacting children, including: education strategies from birth onward; early education and child care.

$350 million: COVID-19 Emergency Response: Recommends an account be established for emergency response efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This flexible account provides funding for the state to quickly and appropriately respond to changing conditions and allows for the allocation of resources when and where they are most needed. Funding has been needed throughout the pandemic to respond to new challenges and promote public health goals.

$48 million: Earned Sick and Safe Time: Recommends statutory changes to require employers to provide employees one hour of earned sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked up to a maximum of 48 hours per year. This earned sick and safe time could be used for the employee’s own health condition or to care for an ill family member, or for certain absences due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking.

Written by Gene Martinez, Legislative Advocacy Coordinator

The post Gov. Walz’s 2022 Supplemental Budget Recommendations first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Gov. Walz’s 2022 Supplemental Budget Recommendations appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: February 18, 2022

Abby Larson — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:37:20 +0000

In this issue:

Blog Post
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Mark Your Calendars

Blog Post:

Gov. Walz’s 2022 Supplemental Budget Recommendations

Gene Martinez, Legislative Advocacy Coordinator

The latest budget forecast shows a $7.7 billion surplus for the Minnesota budget. This is the largest surplus ever recorded.

E-12 Education Highlights

Those proposals are summarized below.

$22 million: Student Support Personnel: Funding to address shortages of staff and provide for students’ social, emotional, academic and physical health.

$6 million: School Linked Behavioral Health Grants: Grants to address mental health needs in schools including COVID related issues. In-person services, training, supplies and BIPOC students are funded.

$15 million: Retain and Recruit Education Support Professionals: 20 hours of training for all special education staff annually, plus paying exam fees for qualified individuals to provide services.

$6.6 million: Expand Competency-Based Education: Expansion of evidenced based models building on what students know as an alternative to traditional grading methods.

$5 million: State Funding Special Education Separate Site and Programs: Additional funding for the highest need students who receive special education services.

$683,000: Reduce funding disparities for Young Children with Disabilities: Increased funding for students who need special education in kindergarten settings to be on par with other students.

$540,000: Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Criteria Change and Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Updating the rule to remove the discrepancy route to eligibility and other rule changes.

$3.6 million: Provision of Special Instruction: Proposing to expand eligibility for special education services until age 22, consistent with federal law from age 21.

$4.9 million: Intermediate School District Mental Health Innovative Grant Program: Temporary grant program for services at a Level Four setting to provide mental health services for students at intermediate school districts.

$1 million: Intermediate District Support: Five intermediate school districts will receive staff development grants for providing a full-service community school model.

$900,000: Expand Targeted Services: Schools would be able to receive extended time revenue for serving students who have residential placements during the summer.

$1 million: Special Education Life Skills & Vocational Skills Secondary Transition Programs: Up to 25 schools would receive grants to upgrade transitional services for students 18-21 to provide life skills and vocational skills.

$45.6 million: Special Education Cross Subsidy: The Governor recommends cross-subsidy reduction aid be increased to reduce the state total cross-subsidy per average daily membership (ADM) steady at the FY 2019 level of $807. The special education cross-subsidy refers to general education funding that is used to pay for special education costs.

Property Tax Aids & Credits

$703 million: Direct Payments to Minnesotans: The Governor recommends a one-time direct payment to Minnesotans. The one-time payment would equal $350 for married joint and head of household filers and $175 for single and married separate filers. To be eligible for the payment, a taxpayer must have filed either a 2020 income tax return by October 15, 2021 or filed for a 2020 property tax refund by 12/31/21.

Expand the K-12 Education Tax Credit: Eligibility would be based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) instead of total household income and the phase-out threshold would go from $33,500 to $70,000 in 2022. Revenue decrease of $12.2 million in 22-23.

Health & Human Services

The Arc Minnesota supports investments in accessible affordable health care, and services that allow people to choose how they live and who provides supports.

$47.8 million: Increasing Health Care Affordability for Minnesotans: Individuals who have incomes too high to qualify for MinnesotaCare would be eligible for a buy-in option. The proposal would establish another option in public health care programs. Premium decreases in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) set to expire at the end of 2022 would be continued.

$1.6 million: Coverage for Undocumented Children: The Governor recommends expanding the MinnesotaCare program to provide coverage to undocumented children under the age of 19 beginning January 1, 2024. This state-only program is expected to serve an additional 1700 children.

$6.5 million: Continuous Medical Assistance Eligibility for Children Under 21: Eligibility for children under 21 would be extended to 12 months of continuous eligibility unless cancellation is requested, children have moved out of state, or pass away. After 12 months, the standard MA redetermination rules will apply.

$82 million: Addressing Deep Poverty: People at the deepest poverty level who receive General Assistance would see benefits rise from $203 per month to $344 per month. The benefits would be indexed to inflation in the future. This would be the first increase in benefits since 1986.

$35 million: Emergency Services Funding for Shelters: Additional funding to provide shelter for homeless individuals and address needs related to COVID-19 for increased safety.

$77.5 million: Service Delivery Transformation Continuation: Service Delivery Transformation Continuation: The Governor recommends funding to support continued efforts to transform the human service delivery system towards an integrated, person-centered experience for individuals and families accessing human services programs.

$5 million: Building Assets for Minnesota Families: Increases the lifetime match from $6000 to $9000 for the Family Assets for Independence program that encourages low-income families to save. Also allows participants to contribute to 529 Plans and contribute to emergency savings accounts.

$10.5 million: Expanding Children’s Psychiatric Beds: The funding would be issued through a competitive request for proposal process to hospitals or mental health providers to expand services for children in need of acute psychiatric care.

$954,000: Expanding Support for Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs): Additional funding for startup grants for new PRTFs. These facilities provide active treatment at an inpatient level of care under the direction of a physician, seven days per week, to youth under age 21 with complex mental health needs and their families, based on medical necessity.

$540,000: Expanding Mobile Transition Units and Person-Centered Discharges: Recommends expanding mobile transition units and strengthening person-centered discharge planning activities serving children and adults.

$372,000: Expanding Intensive Treatment in Foster Care: Recommends expanding eligibility for the Intensive Treatment in Foster Care Medical Assistance service to include children at risk of an out-of-home placement. This investment will allow for earlier interventions, reducing the need for children to be separated from their families and placed in foster care or residential treatment.

$3,000: American Indian Culturally Responsive Rate in Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI): Recommends changing eligibility for an enhanced reimbursement for (EIDBI) services to promote culturally responsive care offered to American Indian children. A provider may receive the enhanced rate if they are certified by a tribal nation.

$245,000: Children’s Mental Health Community of Practice: Recommends creating a Community of Practice focused exclusively on children’s mental health issues. This network of families, advocates, researchers, providers, and other professionals will be tasked with identifying shared solutions to behavioral health issues facing children and will attempt to identify gaps in care.

$0: (22-23) $2.2 million (24-25): Housing Transition Services through Housing Stabilization Services (HSS): Recommends ongoing funding to assist people using Housing Stabilization Services Medical Assistance benefit as they move to stable housing in the community. The proposal would provide up to $3,000 per individual in moving assistance to cover rent or security deposits, utility set-up, and home furnishing.

$0 (22-23) $763,000 (24-25): Housing Stabilization Services Eligibility Staff: Recommends establishing permanent funding for additional staffing that assess eligibility for individuals applying for Housing Stabilization Services financial assistance.

$0 (22-23) $11 million (24-25): Community Living Infrastructure Program: Recommends permanent funding for the Community Living Infrastructure Program. This grant program offers financial assistance to individuals with disabilities struggling with housing stability so they can move out of group homes or other congregate settings and return to permanent housing in the community. The program can cover rent and security deposits, utility set-up, and furnishing costs.

$0 (22-23) $3 million (24-25): Increase Transitional Housing Program: Proposes expanding the existing transitional housing program. This program is the primary state program that funds temporary housing and wrap-around support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness as they prepare to transition to long-term housing stability.

$5.5 million: Safety Improvements for Long-Term Care Facilities: Recommends the establishment of a new competitive grant program that would provide support to state licensed

long-term care facilities for projects to reduce the transmission risk of COVID and other contagious respiratory conditions.

$22 million Revitalize Health Care Workforce: Recommends a comprehensive workforce package to address the critical challenges in growing and revitalizing Minnesota’s health care workforce to adequately serve our rural and urban underserved families and children. The workforce crisis has been has been challenged even more by COVID-19.

$375,000: MN Council on Disability Capacity Building: Additional staffing is recommended so the Council has the capacity to fully carry out its statutory mission.

Public Safety

Proposals to address public safety and support community initiatives.

$2.8 million: Alternatives to Juvenile Detention – Youth Conflict Resolution Centers: Recommends funding additional youth conflict resolution centers, which are community spaces to facilitate

conflict resolution including courses in community awareness, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, leadership, and mental health. These centers are primarily for African American youth and are intended to reduce youth violence.

Human Rights

Upholding the human rights of individuals with disabilities is core to The Arc Minnesota’s mission.

Agriculture

Provisions to reduce hunger or related to needs related to agriculture.

$3 million: Hunger Relief: Recommends increasing grants to Second Harvest Heartland to provide more protein, milk, and surplus agriculture to families facing hunger.

Housing Finance

People with disabilities benefit greatly from accessible affordable housing that truly meets the desire of people to live in the community. Housing is a basic human right.

Employment & Economic Development

There are many employment supports and economic assistance benefiting people with disabilities.

The Governor recommends allowing employees to pay for one-half of the premium rate. In FY 2024 only.

Administration

Funding for state government agencies and related enterprises. Agencies like the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities are part of Administration.

Read more about Governor Walz’s supplemental budget proposal here.

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From the Association of University Centers on Disabilities:

National Disability Rights Network Published Restraint and Seclusion Federal Policy Update White Paper

The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) published a “Restraint and Seclusion” federal policy update white paper in February 2022. The white paper summarizes steps taken by Congress and federal agencies to address the use of restraint and seclusion in schools. The white paper also documents incidents of examples of the use of restraint and seclusion by the Protection & Advocacy Agencies.

Plain language:

Schools should be safe for all students, so they can learn.

What does this mean for you:

Progress has been made to address restraint and seclusion in schools, but more needs to be done to ensure students are safe.

Action steps:

Read the NDRN February 2022 “Restraint and Seclusion” federal policy update white paper.

Read the January 19, 2022 Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights letter that AUCD has signed onto in support of a package of bills to address school safety and climate.

Call and educate your Members of Congress about the impact these school safety and climate bills will have on ensuring safe schools for students with disabilities. You can reach your Members of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Mark Your Calendars

2022 Disability Advocacy Day

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Watch our Facebook Livestream on Tuesday on our Facebook Page

Join us for Disability Advocacy Day on Tuesday, February 22nd! The event will be online again this year. But even though we can’t go to the Capitol, it is still critical for disability advocates to show that we are better together by fighting for equity, access, and belonging in community.

A virtual poster gallery will be from 10:00 am-11:00 am.
The virtual rally will be from 11:00 am-11:45 am.
Then we will have an in-depth policy “Lunch & Learn” from 12:00 am-1:30 am.

With questions or for more information, contact Grace Seifert at arcpolicyintern@arcminnesota.org

Roundtable Discussion on Voter Engagement

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

1:00 pm

Presented by: The Arc US

Mid-term elections are fast approaching and we have lots of work to do in the months ahead to make sure everyone gets the information they need.

This year, The Arc will be hosting regular roundtable discussions. This will give you opportunities to hear from other chapters about their voter and candidate engagement plans, share ideas, ask questions, and learn about the free tools and resources available to you.

Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee

Thursday, March 3, 2022, Thursday, April 28, 2022, Thursday, June 30, 2022, Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022

All sessions are from 10 a.m. to noon.

Registration information here

Presented by: Minnesota Department of Human Services

Join the Disability Services Division Waiver Policy and Compliance team, the Disability Services Divion Waiver Fiscal Policy team, and Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee for an opportunity to listen to the committee discussions and submit your written comments.

In these meetings, the committee will provide feedback and help to develop several proposed plans for Waiver Reimagine

Midwest Asset Building Conference: Imagining the Next Economy: Disrupting the Racial Wealth Divide

June 29-30, 2022

Registration opens in March. Join the conference listserv to receive updates and learn when registration opens.

The Midwest Asset Building Conference brings practitioners, policy advocates, and researchers together. We will work to address the racial wealth divide and help families build prosperity in the Midwest.

Stakeholders in the region will have the opportunity to learn from their peers when we connect at the third Midwest Asset Building Conference in Saint Paul, Minnesota, from June 29-30, 2022. The conference will center on the theme, “Imagining the Next Economy: Disrupting the Racial Wealth Divide.” The conference will be in-person (with COVID protocols in place) and a paid livestream virtual event.

Read the original Capitol Connector.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: February 18, 2022 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: February 18, 2022 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 21, 2022

Abby Larson — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 15:01:12 +0000

In this issue:

Blog Post
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Mark Your Calendars
Noteworthy News & Resources

Blog Post:

Hope Amidst Crisis: Building Abundant Communities

Andrea Zuber, Chief Executive Officer, The Arc Minnesota

The dilemma

The Direct Support Workforce Shortage has been a long time coming. It has been predicted for decades but as many things, it is now exacerbated by the global pandemic. Across the state, group homes are closing because they do not have enough staff and people are being asked to move back in with family, or into larger, more institutional settings.

For many years, state demographers have been telling us the impending workforce shortage will not be a problem of pay, job satisfaction, or other “typical” recruitment and retention issues alone. Rather, the dilemma is that we do not have enough working age adults in the workforce to fill all of the existing jobs we have in Minnesota, and that includes the direct care positions that Minnesota relies so heavily on.

The Arc Minnesota contributed to a recent letter sent to Governor Walz, which lays out a number of immediate, near and long-term solutions to this dilemma. We need more hands-on deck to support this crisis in the short term, and it is vital that Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) earn a livable wage. On January 11, Governor Walz issued a press release detailing a temporary 5% rate increase for service providers to recruit and retain their direct support workforce, which will be a welcome boost for exhausted care providers.

The long game

As humans our brains are wired to focus on solutions to immediate threats, which make sense because that is how our species survived and evolved. However, with today’s predicament, it is clear the immediate solutions presented are not sustainable and do not address the root causes of this dilemma.

If we want to solve this crisis, we must make structural changes that will stop and prevent it from continuing. It is essential that we reduce reliance on congregate settings—large and small—which are highly dependent on paid staff we simply do not have. It is imperative we ALSO focus our attention on combating ableism. Ableism creates separation and the belief that only “specially trained” professionals can work with or support people with disabilities, which is not true. Ableism is at the root of so much inaction and stagnation on all levels—in disability services, state systems, and society at large.

It is well within our power to build a future where we engage the abundant communities around us (neighbors, employers, property owners, faith communities, etc.) to also support people with disabilities. The work of the Abundant Community, spearheaded by John McKnight’s work, has many examples of community support we can draw on. Above all, if we work to change the narrative around people with disabilities to one of abundance, capacity, and innate worth—and put an end ableist practices and thinking—others will come to the table.

The work has already started

Long-term solutions take extraordinary effort and energy and fortunately, there are many examples of what is working across the country that we can build on. In Minnesota, we have several home and community-based services and supports that lead to greater interdependence and natural supports for people with disabilities, and the marketplace is building new technology and tools as well.

Much of the focus for long-term solutions has to be on building inclusive communities that welcome children with disabilities at an early age and prevent the need for separate, congregate care. Early intervention works, and prevents the need for more intensive supports into adulthood. Inclusive childcare and classrooms allow children with disabilities to have relationships that are meaningful and translate to social capital later in life. Post-secondary education programs such as the BUILD program at Bethel University have an extraordinary success rate for people to have their own jobs and earn living wages when they complete their programs.

Large international employers like UnitedHealth Group, United Health Care, Optum Health Care and Mayo Clinic Health System have developed training and recruitment programs where their own employees mentor people with disabilities. They get a substantial return on investment and understand the capacity and value of people with disabilities in their diverse workforces. Employment Services are available to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs and build careers and personal wealth.

Housing Stabilization Services are working to support people in homes of their own. PCA, Home Care, Intermittent Crisis Supports and Remote Supports are working so that people who need 24-hour supports can live with their families, or in homes of their own. Tools like the Vitals App allow people to navigate their community and still feel safe and supported.

Consumer Directed Community Supports allow people to hire family, friends and neighbors, and get the tailored and familiar support they need. This self-directed model assumes that people with disabilities know best what they need to be successful and empowers them to create their own plan.

All of these things lead to financial empowerment, improved well-being, and a reduced reliance on our formal service delivery system. DSPs are a very important part of the workforce and network of supports for people with disabilities, but if our abundant communities can contribute in ways that promote belonging, we can rebalance our support system and create a more sustainable future.

Looking towards the future

Again, this year, The Arc Minnesota has put forward a progress legislative agenda, focused on building a future where people are supported more fully by their communities so they have belonging, justice, citizenship and freedom. Last year, we passed monumental legislation related to inclusive childcare, informed choice in decision-making, and policies that promote inclusive, individualized supports in community. This year, we are focusing on post-secondary education, affordable housing, and much more.

There are things that are working. Let us look to those. All of this is possible and happening now. It needs to be shared so people can understand the options available. We need storytelling, mentoring, and a bold vision. We can prioritize our way out of this dilemma if we address the root causes and call on community in new ways. If you are interested in furthering this conversation, please reach out. It takes a village.

Our abundant communities are waiting to support people. Engage them. Encourage them. Let them.

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From the Association of University Centers on Disabilities:

What’s happening?

Congress is working on a number of important issues that affect people with disabilities including funding for programs and voting.

What it means to you:

It is important that programs with and for people with disabilities receive increased funding. Many AUCD programs get their funding from the federal appropriations process.

Appropriations is the act of setting aside money for a specific program from the federal budget. These programs are critical to ensuring people with disabilities receive a quality education, can be employed and received services and supports in the community.

Action steps:

Read the Freedom to Vote Act summary.

Read the full text of the Freedom to Vote Act.

Read the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act summary.

Read the full text of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Learn more about the federal appropriations process in plain language from AUCD.

Call and educate members of Congress about the importance of voting and of services and support for people with disabilities, including the importance of Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that allows people with disabilities to live in their communities.

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

What’s happening?

There is a new bill to make sure all workers with disabilities are paid at least the federal minimum wage.

The minimum wage is the lowest amount of money that an employer can pay an employee.

What it means to you:

It is important that people with disabilities have employment opportunities, access to employment support services, and are paid well for their work.

Action steps:

Learn more about the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act:

Senate version

House version

Section-by-section summary.

From Minnesota House of Representatives:

Walz unveils record $2.7 billion capital investment proposal

What’s happening?

Governor Tim Walz is putting together a very large investment package proposal of $2.73 billion. This proposal is called Local Jobs and Projects Plan.

The Plan includes $2 billion in general obligation bonds, $276 million in General Fund spending, and $250 million in appropriation bonds

Read more here

Mark Your Calendars

Minnesota Housing Partnership Legislative Panel

Thursday, January 27, 2022

8:00 am – 9:15 am

Presented by: Minnesota Housing Partnership

Join the MHP Investors Council as lawmakers discuss prospects for housing in the 2022 legislative session. Hear directly from lawmakers about their caucus, committee, and personal priorities and how housing fits into their overall session goals.

The Arc Minnesota Session Preview Event

Monday, January 31, 2022

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Learn about The Arc Minnesota’s 2022 Legislative Agenda, what to expect this session, and how you can be involved.

The Arc MN: A Home of One’s Own

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Presented by: The Arc Minnesota

In this webinar, The Arc Minnesota will present a summary of the following two programs:

Housing Access Services

Housing Stabilization Services

2022 Minnesota Precinct Caucuses

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

7:00 pm

Read more about the 2022 Minnesota Precinct Caucuses below in the Noteworthy News & Resources section of the Capitol Connector.

MIHEC Student and Family Information Night

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

6:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Presented by: Minnesota Inclusive Higher Education Consortium

This event is part of the Learning Community series. The event is geared towards students and families and is an introduction to inclusive higher education in our country and state. Your spheres of influence and contacts are vital to improving and growing Minnesota college options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

2022 Disability Advocacy Day

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

A virtual poster gallery will be from 10:00 am-11:00 am.

The virtual rally will be from 11:00 am-11:45 am.

Then we will have an in-depth policy “Lunch & Learn” from 12:00 am-1:30 am.

Keep the email you get after you register. You will need that to log-in to the event.

With questions or for more information, contact Grace Seifert at arcpolicyintern@arcminnesota.org.

Disability Policy Seminar 2022

March 28-30, 2022

Presented by: AAIDD, AUCD, Autism Society, NACDD, TASH, NDSC Center, SABE US, The Arc US, UCP

Register Here

We’re getting excited for this year’s Disability Policy Seminar (DPS)! DPS is a three-day event, where passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and professionals in the field come together and learn about key issues that affect them. This year, there are options to participate either virtually or in-person in Washington, D.C. Registration costs will be the same for both options.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Virtual Conference

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

All day

Registration is coming soon. Fill out the Interest Form to receive event updates.

Presented by: AHRC Nassau & The Arc of the United States

The DEI Virtual Conference, “Beyond the Comfort Zone: Understanding and Eradicating Injustice, Racism and Inequality in the Field of Developmental Disabilities”.

The conference seeks to increase fluency and understanding of the history, challenges and opportunities impacting people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. This conference will connect attendees with leaders from the private and public sector ready to share research, case studies, best practices, and feedback on topics.

Noteworthy News & Resources

From the Arc Minnesota:

Precinct Caucuses are on Tuesday, February 1 at 7PM!

By Tim Schnell, Grassroots Organizing & Engagement Intern

The Precinct Caucuses are great opportunities for neighbors to get together and elect delegates to party conventions, hear from candidates, and consider Resolutions on various issues. Caucuses are part of a grassroots tradition in Minnesota going back decades.

Why are caucuses important?

Candidates for local, state and federal offices will be seeking endorsements. Having the chance to speak one-to-one with those candidates about disability issues can be important in making your decision about who to support.

There are also opportunities to discuss issues important to the disability community and pass Resolutions. These Resolutions can become part of the public commitments of the parties and candidates.

How does the pandemic affect the Precinct Caucuses?

It depends on the political party. The recognized parties eligible to have caucuses include the DFL Party, the Republican Party, the Legal Marijuana Now Party and the Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis Party.

Please continue to check the political party’s websites and alerts from the news media, because the pandemic could still change plans for the caucuses before February 1.

Here is information on how each political party will be participating this year:

The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office has a helpful Precinct Caucus Finder

The DFL in Minnesota will be holding both in-person & virtual caucuses.

Use The DFL Caucus Finder or the Precinct Caucus Finder

Attending in-person is optional, but if you want to participate and do not want to attend, you can download and print a PDF version of the Non-Attendee Form and deliver it to your caucus location from 6:30-9pm on February 1, or email it to a local party leader.

Here is a Precinct Caucus Participation Guide including a fillable DFL Resolution Form.

The Republican Party of Minnesota appears to be having in-person caucuses.

Use the Precinct Caucus Finder to find your location.

Any changes to these plans should be publicized through their website.

The Legal Marijuana Now Party says they will be having virtual precinct caucuses.

Visit their website for further information

The Grassroots – Legalize Cannabis Party will be having their precinct caucuses in-person.

To find your caucus location use the Precinct Caucus Finder.

Further information may be posted on their website.

If you have questions about participating in Precinct Caucuses, please contact Tim Schnell, Grassroots Organizing & Engagement Intern at grassrootsintern@arcminnesota.org

Read the original Capitol Connector.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 21, 2022 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 21, 2022 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 7, 2022

Abby Larson — Fri, 07 Jan 2022 14:44:29 +0000

In this issue:

2022 Minnesota Legislative Session
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Mark Your Calendars
Noteworthy News & Resources

2022 Minnesota Legislative Session

The Minnesota legislative session begins on Monday, January 31st. The Arc’s Public Policy team is hard at work preparing for the upcoming session. At this time, we hope to create real and lasting change. This article will outline the Arc’s public policy goals for this year.

The Arc Minnesota’s 2022 Legislative Agenda

Create More Inclusive Playgrounds for Minnesota Children

Most playgrounds in Minnesota are not accessible or safe for children with disabilities. Children with disabilities should have access to safe playgrounds in their communities without safety being an issue. Playgrounds that are inclusive means that no one is left out and all children are able to play safely together.

This policy will help build safe and inclusive playgrounds across Minnesota. Inclusive playgrounds will result in long-term, positive benefits for all children.
This will also help children with disabilities foster true belonging in community from an early age.

End Suspensions and Expulsions for Young Learners

Suspensions and expulsions contribute to poor student outcomes. Research shows this sort of punishment especially impacts students of color and students with disabilities. All children deserve to learn in an inclusive environment that supports them, without fear of discrimination and harm.

This policy will help create equitable, accessible, and safe schools.
All students will benefit from positive learning environments that fully include all students and supports their needs.
This policy will also will help promote alternatives that create a supportive and positive climate for all students and school staff.

Expand Access to Inclusive Higher Education Statewide

Attending college makes it so that students with intellectual disabilities (ID) are much more likely to gain jobs and rely less on government programs and services. However, in-state college options for students with intellectual disabilities are very rare. Many colleges do not have the resources to enroll students with intellectual disabilities.

Expanding access to inclusive higher education will help more young adults with intellectual disabilities earn meaningful education, gain employment, and have their own independence.

Providing technical assistance and funding to colleges can help advance access to college education in Minnesota for all students.

Reform Medical Assistance to Incentivize Employment

Some Minnesotans with disabilities have been able to maintain safety-net supports while working through Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD). However, this medical assistance contributes to people remaining in poverty and creates disincentives to work. People who have disabilities should be able to earn money and invest in their futures without fear of losing health care, benefits or supports.

This policy will remove barriers to building and maintaining financial stability and help people with disabilities to get out of poverty.
This will impact all of society, because once all people are able to earn money and financially prosper, everyone will benefit.

Increase Affordable, Accessible Housing Options

For many people with disabilities, finding affordable and accessible housing in their communities is nearly impossible. Many are forced to turn to costly and isolating settings, instead of living in homes of their own. Housing developers and builders need more guidelines as to what is actually accessible. They also need financial support to ensure they can include physically and sensory accessible dwellings in housing projects.

Creating a shared definition of accessible housing will provide clarity for developers, builders, and people with disabilities.
More affordable, accessible housing for Minnesotans with disabilities will support their choice and reduce dependence on provider-controlled settings.

Help More Minnesotans with Disabilities Live in Homes of their Own

Strategic policy change can help more Minnesotans with disabilities live in homes of their own.
We must address gaps in support and service arrangements, prevent evictions, and stabilize housing for those with low incomes.

We will provide important updates and action alerts in the coming months. You can review our 2022 legislative agenda on our website (LINK).

If you would like to get involved and support our advocacy work, check out our Capitol Connectors teams (link to Capitol Connectors teams info) You can also email our Legislative Advocacy Coordinator, Gene Martinez at genemartinez@arcminnesota.org.

If you have any questions about our public policy work, you can contact our Public Policy Director, Julia Burkstaller at juliaburkstaller@arcminnesota.org.

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From the Arc US:

The Arc Participates in Child Care Rally at U.S. Capitol

On December 14, The Arc joined in a Child Care for Every Family Rally at the Capitol. This rally was meant to support the passing of the Build Back Better Act. The Arc hopes that Build Back Better Act will make sure that every child has access to high-quality childcare and that child care providers can earn a living wage.

You can watch a recording of the rally here.

Mark Your Calendars

Self-Advocate Advisory Committee (SAAC) Meeting

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

5:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Presented by: The Arc Minnesota

Link to Zoom call can be found here.

Self-advocacy is using your power to advocate for yourself and to educate others to do the same. If you want to grow as a self-advocate, The Arc Minnesota can help.

Minnesota Council on Disability 2022 Virtual Legislative Forum

Thursday, January 13, 2022

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Presented by: Minnesota Council on Disability

Zoom link can be found here

The MCD 2022 Virtual Legislative Forum is an opportunity for the disability community to share what they want the Legislature to accomplish in this session. It is also an opportunity for legislators to share how they plan to promote this legislative agenda.

Share your ideas and concerns with state Senators and members of the state House of Representatives who are committed to disability rights and inclusion.

We will provide CART and ASL. Contact Trevor Turner at 651-350-8642 (phone or text message) or email Trevor to request additional accommodations. We will do our best to accommodate all requests, even with short notice.

Webinar: The landscape of Telehealth in Minnesota for disability and behavioral health services

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Presented by: Minnesota Department of Human Services

Register here

You’re invited to attend a webinar about telehealth for disability and behavioral health services on Jan. 18, 2022. This webinar will be hosted by DHS, University of Minnesota TeleOutreach Center and Great Plains Telehealth Resource & Assistance Center.

In this webinar, we will:

Describe the current status of telehealth use in disability services and behavioral health services, including what utilization trends have occurred
Discuss current research findings related to telehealth in these fields
Share tips and ideas for service providers
Discuss anticipated future directions for the use of telehealth in Minnesota.

Minnesota Housing Partnership Legislative Panel

Thursday, January 27, 2022

8:00 am – 9:15 am

Presented by: Minnesota Housing Partnership

The event will be held over Zoom and MHP will publish the link as the date nears.

In advance of the 2022 Legislative Session, join the MHP Investors Council as lawmakers discuss prospects for housing in the 2022 legislative session. Hear directly from lawmakers about their caucus, committee, and personal priorities and how housing fits into their overall session goals.

Read the original Capitol Connector.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 7, 2022 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: January 7, 2022 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 17, 2021

Abby Larson — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 16:20:58 +0000

In this issue:

Updates in Minnesota
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Mark Your Calendars

Updates in Minnesota

From Minnesota Budget Project:

MN Budget and Economic Forecast

The state of Minnesota’s budget forecast announced earlier this week showed a large and uncommon projected surplus. The surplus is a total of $7.7 billion for the current two-year budget cycle. This means that policymakers can distribute this money to different communities and sectors that might need investing. These sectors might include healthcare, affordable housing, child care, etc.

These forecasts reflect strong economic growth in Minnesota. The projections also show a positive structural balance of $6 billion in the next biennium, although that number drops to $4.8 billion when inflation is included.

Read more about the budget forecast here.

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From the Arc US:

Tell Your Senators: Pass the Build Back Better Act

The U.S. House of Representatives just passed the Build Back Better Act. Now it’s time for the Senate to act so this bill can be signed into law!

The Build Back Better Act would improve the quality of life for millions of people with disabilities, their families, and the direct support professional workforce.

It would:

Expand access to Medicaid home and community-based services for people with disabilities on waiting lists.
Create a national paid leave program. We should invest in our care services and pass a paid leave program that guarantees paid leave to family caregivers.
Improve and expand the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. Many people with disabilities rely on Supplemental Security Income. Many are not given full benefits. This limits how much they can save for emergencies. If Supplemental Security Income is improved, many people with disabilities can be lifted out of poverty.

Contact your Senators TODAY and urge them to pass this bill because #CareCantWait.

From American Association of People with Disabilities:

Centering Disability in Technology Policy

Today, AAPD is proud to release a new report with the Center for Democracy & Technology called, “Centering Disability in Technology Policy. This is a plain language version of the report.

Technology can help disabled people get more access. Technology can help disabled people be more independent. But technology can also hurt disabled people. This report reviews some of the ways that technology can hurt and help disabled people. People who make new technology need to be careful, to make sure their new technology does not hurt disabled people.

This report will help other organizations and leaders work on disability and technology issues.

You can open the report by clicking here.

Mark Your Calendars

Minnesota Council on Disability 2022 Virtual Legislative Forum

Thursday, January 13, 2022

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Presented by: Minnesota Council on Disability

We are holding the event over Zoom and will publish the link as the date nears.

This event is an opportunity for the disability community to share what they want the Legislature to accomplish in this session. It is also an opportunity for legislators to share how they would like to promote this legislative agenda.

Share your ideas and concerns with state Senators and members of the state House of Representatives.

We will provide CART and ASL.

Contact Trevor Turner at 651-350-8642 (phone or text message) or email Trevor to request additional accommodations. We will do our best to accommodate all requests, even with short notice.

Minnesota Housing Partnership Legislative Panel

Thursday, January 27, 2022

8:00 am – 9:15 am

Presented by: Minnesota Housing Partnership

Register here

The event will be held over Zoom and MHP will publish the link as the date nears.

In advance of the 2022 Legislative Session, join the MHP Investors Council. Lawmakers will discuss prospects for housing in the 2022 legislative session. Hear directly from lawmakers about their caucus, committee, and personal priorities and how housing fits into their overall session goals.

Read the original Capitol Connector.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 17, 2021 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 17, 2021 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 3, 2021

Abby Larson — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:14:37 +0000

In this issue:

How the Build Back Better Act would impact Minnesotans with disabilities
Updates from Washington, D.C.
Mark Your Calendars
Noteworthy News & Resources

Blog post: What is included in the Build Back Better Act?

By Grace Seifert, State and Federal Policy Intern

After months of negotiations, the House passed a $1.75 trillion social policy and climate change bill called the Build Back Better Act. The act includes historic policy proposals that focus on the care infrastructure, combatting climate change, income supports and taxes, early childhood education, housing, and many more. The act has many exciting and historic proposals including steps towards universal health coverage, steps towards halving carbon emissions by 2030, universal preschool plans, etc.

Home and Community-Based Services

$150 billion is being invested in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) over 10 years. This investment is meant to eliminate waiting lists for services and bolster pay for direct care workers.
This bill assists making the Money Follows the Person program permanent. This means that the bill will help people with disabilities who want to leave congregate care and transition to live in their own home and community with the services and supports they choose.

Education and Child Care

$390 billion is being invested in universal pre-school for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
$160 million is being invested in IDEA Part D (legislation that ensures students with disabilities are provided with free, appropriate, tailored education). This will help develop training for personnel working with students with disabilities.
$25 million is being invested for behavioral health needs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Under the universal preschool plan, parents will be able to send their children to a public school or childcare program of their choice. The effort is to ease financial burdens of millions of families, specifically low-income parents with children.

Housing

$150 billion investment in affordable housing supports, including funding for vouchers, rental assistance, and other public housing improvements. The proposed funding for new vouchers is estimated to help 138,000 people with disabilities receive affordable, accessible housing.
$100 million investment in the Section 811 and 202 programs for people with disabilities and seniors to provide rental assistance. This will create more supportive housing.

Paid Leave

4 weeks of guaranteed paid and medical leave for all workers. This will help people with disabilities take time off for medical reasons and will help family members to provide care for a loved one without risk of losing their job.

Child Tax Credit

The act will extend the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provides more than 35 million households up to $3,600 per year in tax cuts per child.
The proposed legislation will extend this program for the year of 2022, providing payments to nearly 90% of American children.

Earned Income Tax Credit

The act will extend the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for around 17 million low-wage workers. This will help low-wage childless workers who have previously been taxed into deeper poverty.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Reforms

Supplemental Security Income provides monthly payments to people with disabilities.
The proposed text would extend Supplemental Security Income to residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. This would finally eliminate a critical gap in Supplemental Security Income coverage and provide access to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities who live in U.S. territories.

Health Care

The act would permanently expand Medicaid eligibility to millions of Americans who previously fell within the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage gap. This will help in closing the coverage gap and will allow up to 4 million uninsured Americans to gain access to coverage.

Other Disability Policy Proposals

The act includes disability employment supports including:

funding for pre-apprenticeship programs and funding to businesses and organizations that are working to phase out programs that pay people with disabilities sub-minimum wage.
It encourages transformation to competitive integrated employment and the phasing out of subminimum wage through providing grants to states.

Investments would be made for Administration for Community Living grants to help expand community mental and behavioral health programs and funding for projects to upgrade the accessibility of public transportation services.

The proposals explained above could help improve the lives of millions of people with disabilities and their families. While it’s important that each of these proposals are well-funded, it is also important that in addition to proposals like this, we are actively transforming our systems to improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families. We must continue to work and strategize to identify flaws in these systems and create real and lasting change by thinking outside of systems solutions.

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From American Association of People with Disabilities:

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act reintroduced in the Senate

The TCIEA refers to the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. The TCIEA was originally introduced in Congress in 2019. Since no action was taken at that time, it was re-introduced in April 2021.

Currently Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to obtain certificates through which they can pay employees with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage, or subminimum wage. Since there is no minimum wage requirement in these circumstances, employers can pay however little they want. The average wage of a person with a disability working under a 14(c) certificate was $3.34 per hour in 2018. This is less than half of the federal minimum wage. Not only is this an unlivable wage, but it diminishes the skills and contributions of people with disabilities, segregates them from people without disabilities, and makes disabled people feel that they are worth less than their non-disabled peers.

The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) would phase out the subminimum wage provision over a five year period. It would provide states, employers, and any relevant agencies with the resources they need to support people with disabilities. It would encourage competitive integrated employment. This refers to disabled employees working alongside nondisabled employees, earning the same wage for the same tasks, and receiving similar opportunities for promotion and advancement. Here is a detailed fact sheet on the TCIEA and here is a simplified version created by the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD).

AAPD Celebrates Passage of the Build Back Better Act in the House; Says, “Now It’s Time to Finish the Job.”

AAPD celebrates the passage of the Build Back Better Act by the House. This bill would transform the lives of tens of millions of disabled people, older adults, working families, women, people of color, low-income and middle-class people, and many others.

“Tonight, by voting for the Build Back Better Act, the House of Representatives has taken a major step toward passing one of the most consequential pieces of legislation of our lifetimes. We applaud and thank the Congressional leadership who have overseen this process, especially Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Frank Pallone, for their dedication and persistence.” said Maria Town, President and CEO of AAPD.

“Now it’s time to finish the job. The Senate must work to swiftly resolve any remaining issues and pass the Build Back Better Act without further delay. Already, too many Americans—people with disabilities, our families, and direct support workers alike—have suffered because of a lack of access to services and support. Without the social infrastructure investments in this bill, the Americans most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic will not be able to equally participate in the next phase of our economic recovery. It does not matter if we create economic advancement opportunities through the recently signed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act if those opportunities remain inaccessible to people with disabilities because they cannot receive the services they need to thrive in their homes and communities.”

Read the original blog post.

Read the original Capitol Connector.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 3, 2021 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: December 3, 2021 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: November 12, 2021

Hannah Clark — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 20:39:27 +0000

In this issue:

Election News in Minnesota
What does the passing of the infrastructure bill mean for Minnesota?
Updates from Washington, D.C.

Election News in Minnesota

To follow up from our previous blog posts explaining the ballot measures in Minneapolis and Saint Paul this year, here are the results of the election from last week:

Ballot questions in Minneapolis:

Question 1: Should the city of Minneapolis have a “strong mayor” system?

Results: 52% Yes. Minneapolis voters approved a “strong mayor” system. The approval of this vote allows for more concentrated power with the mayor over the city’s agencies.

Question 2: Should the Minneapolis Police Department be removed and replaced with a Department of Public Safety?

Results: 56% No. The Minneapolis Police Department will remain the primary law enforcement across the city.

Question 3: Should the city of Minneapolis provide the City Council with the ability to control rent prices on private residential property?

Results: 53% Yes. Though rent control has been approved by the voters in Minneapolis, this approval does not make clear what kind of policy will be passed. This means that Minneapolis voters approved the possibility of a rent control policy, but the city council and mayor are now responsible for creating an ordinance and putting it in place. However, they are not required to do so.

Ballot questions in St. Paul:

Question 1: Should the City adopt the proposed Ordinance limiting rent increases?

Results: 53% Yes. This will be one of the strictest rent-control mandates in the country. The new rent control limits are said to be taken into effect in May 2022.

2022 Election News

Even though the 2021 election just happened, many are anticipating the upcoming 2022 election taking place next November. This election will challenge all seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and 34 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate. In Minnesota, all seats in the House and Senate are up for a vote as well as the governor, attorney general, and state auditor.

Incumbent Governor Tim Walz has announced he will pursue a second term. Along with Gov. Walz, a few others have announced candidacy seeking the governor’s seat.

Republican candidates:

MN Senator Michelle Benson
MN Senator Paul Gazelka
Former MN Senator Scott Jensen
Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy
Neil Shah
Mike Marti

Additionally, several Minnesota legislators have announced retirements at the end of the 2021-2022 biennium.

Legislative retirements at the end of the 2021-2022 biennium:

Sen. Chris Eaton
Sen. Susan Kent
Sen. Jerry Newton
Sen. Chuck Wiger
Rep. Alice Hausman
Rep. Ami Wazlawik

Current legislators seeking another office in 2022:

Representatives John Poston and Tou Xiong have filed to run for the Minnesota Senate
Rep. Ryan Winkler announced his intention to run for Hennepin County Attorney in 2022
Senators Michelle Benson and Paul Gazelka have stated that they will not seek reelection for their current seats even if they do not win the Republican nomination for the gubernatorial election.

The 2022 election will take place on Nov. 8th, 2022. Learn more about election dates here.

Bipartisan infrastructure Bill

The U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill last week and it was signed into law on Monday by President Joe Biden.

How does the infrastructure impact Minnesota?

Highways: $4.5 billion
Public transportation: $818 million
Water Infrastructure: $680 million over five years
Bridges: $302 million
Broadband internet: $100 million
Wildfire protection: $20 million
Cybersecurity: $17 million

Updates from Washington, D.C.

From The Arc US:

Democrats Introduce House Version of the Build Back Better Act

Since the infrastructure bill passed in the Senate last week, the Biden administration is now pushing for the Build Back Better package. The plan includes $1.75 trillion for childcare, health care, climate change, etc.

How does the Build Back Better Act impact people with disabilities and their families?

Home and Community-Based Services

$150 billion for home and community-based services (HCBS) to remove waiting lists for services and support pay for direct care workers
A program to help people with disabilities who want to leave group homes and transition to live in their own home and community with supportive services

Education and Child Care

$390 billion investment in universal pre-school
$160 million investment in legislation that ensures students with disabilities are provided with free, appropriate, tailored education
$25 million investment for health needs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Housing

$150 billion investment in affordable housing supports. This includes funding for vouchers, rental assistance, and other public housing improvements
The proposal also includes a $100 million investment in programs for people with disabilities and seniors. This investment will provide rental assistance to create more supportive housing

Paid Leave

4 weeks of guaranteed paid and medical leave for all workers. This will help people with disabilities take time off for medical reasons and will help family members to provide care for a loved one without risk of losing their job

Health Care

Permanently expanding Medicaid eligibility to millions of Americans who previously fell within the Affordable Care Act coverage gap. Closing this coverage gap will allow up to 4 million uninsured Americans to gain access to coverage
Expanding hearing benefits to the traditional Medicaid program

Other Disability Policy Proposals

Disability employment supports. This includes funding for pre-apprenticeship programs and funding to businesses and organizations that are working to phase out programs that pay people with disabilities sub-minimum wage
Administration for Community Living grants to help expand community mental and behavioral health programs
Funding to upgrade the accessibility of public transportation services

The proposals explained above could change the lives of millions of people with disabilities and their families. For that to happen, Congress must pass the Build Back Better Act with these key disability policy priorities.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: November 12, 2021 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: November 12, 2021 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 29, 2021

Abby Larson — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:50:39 +0000

Blog Post: What’s on the ballot in St. Paul this year?

By Grace Seifert, State and Federal Policy Intern

Like Minneapolis, people living in St. Paul have a chance to vote on whether the city can or cannot control rent increases

Ballot Questions in St. Paul:

Question 1: is “Should the City adopt the proposed Ordinance limiting rent increases?”

The ordinance was written by a coalition of advocacy groups called Housing Equity Now Saint Paul (HENS). The ordinance limits rent increases to no more than 3 percent in a 12-month period. This would be the case regardless of whether occupants change. This means that landlords cannot increase rent more than 3 percent in a year even if there are new occupants.

The “Yes” Vote argues,

For price controls in the future.
Controlling rent prices will make costs more fixed and easier to understand for people living in the city.
Price controls help low-income renters who need stable and consistent rent.

The “No” Vote argues,

Against limiting rent increases.
The rent control will create lower quality housing because landlords will not be able to cover the inflation costs of maintenance and equipment upgrades.
·No other city in the nation has implemented a rent control measure as extensive as the St. Paul proposal. This means that the city does not know the consequences of rent control.

If voters approve the ordinance, the city of St. Paul already has a plan ready for implementation. City leaders would be responsible for moving forward with the plan.

Updates from Washington D.C.

From American Association of People with Disabilities:

In Their Own Words: Why Recipients and Providers of Home Care Say Congress Must Act

“Christopher’s story was one of about 2,500 stories shared last week during a 24-hour vigil on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. Advocates organized the vigil to push for once-in a-generation federal funding for home and community-based services (HCBS).” Read More

Noteworthy News & Resources

From Our Team:

Building an Arc For All:

The Arc Minnesota wants members of the disability community at the center of our work to redesign programs and services statewide.

We want to learn about what is important to you. When you take our survey, you’re helping to co-create an Arc for All by directly impacting how our programs and services are designed.

With your help and feedback, we will build an Arc for all Minnesotans who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, and their families.

Take the survey

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Capitol Building Access

MN House of Representatives Announcement

Speaker, Melissa Hortman, announced last week that because of the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the House will continue remote and hybrid operations through the end of the 2022 regular session. In addition, the State Office Building will remain closed to the public.

Read more here

MN Senate – Operations Update

The Minnesota Capitol is open to the public. The Minnesota Senate will have remote and in-person options for testifying in committees. Floor activity is still to be determined. More information will follow on protocols and procedures.

Read the original blog post.
Read the original Capitol Connector.
Sign up for newsletters like Capitol Connector here.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 29, 2021 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 29, 2021 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.

Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 15, 2021

Abby Larson — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 14:17:51 +0000

Blog Post:What’s on the ballot in Minneapolis this year?

By Tim Schnell, Grassroots Organizing & Community Engagement Intern

2021 will be an extremely busy year for Minneapolis voters! In addition to offices like Mayor, City Council and others, there will be three ballot questions for Minneapolis voters to decide.

Ballot Questions in Minneapolis:

1. Should the city of Minneapolis have a “strong mayor” system? A “strong mayor” system is where the Mayor would be declared the city’s chief executive officer and would have the ability to appoint heads of the city agencies.

2. Should the Minneapolis Police Department be removed and replaced with a Department of Public Safety? The Department of Public Safety would have a wide variety of functions and those functions would be determined through ordinance by the City Council and the Mayor.

3. Should the city of Minneapolis provide the City Council with the ability to control rent prices on private residential property?

Question 1: addresses whether the mayor should become the chief executive of the city and have power become more centralized in the office (similar to the President of the United States in some ways).

The “Yes” Vote argues,

if power is more concentrated with the Mayor, then the City of Minneapolis would be able to serve its residents more efficiently.
“The city’s professional staff described Minneapolis’ system of dividing power between the mayor and the City Council as ‘highly inefficient and significantly influenced by personalities of individual elected officials’, according to the Charter Commission, the body in charge of the city’s constitution.”1 This means that the Mayor’s concentrated power may be much more efficient than the system in place now.

The “No” Vote argues,

if the mayor becomes the city’s chief executive, the residents of Minneapolis would have less of a say in how the government functions.
some voters in more affluent areas of the city already have a larger say in who gets elected. This means that some communities will have more power than other communities.

Question 2: Addresses if the Minneapolis Police Department should be removed and replaced with a Department of Public Safety.

The “Yes” Vote argues,

the question is not an argument in favor of defunding the police. Instead, it is a proposal to open up additional methods and services that could help keep Minneapolis residents safe.
the number of officers assigned to a city or neighborhood is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
with the support of mental health and psychological professionals there can be an appropriate number of officers assigned to a neighborhood. It would not necessarily equivalent to population size, but a number that can still effectively and equitably serve the community as law enforcement.

The “No” Vote argues,

it is unclear whether there would still be a police force under the broader category of the Department of Public Safety. This means that there is no minimum number of police officers per members of the population is established in the ballot question. There are fears that if this law enforcement reform proposal is passed, violent crime levels could spike.
the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department is hugely popular and well-respected in the community, but there’s no guarantee he or someone equally as respected would become the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Question 3: asks if the City Council should have the ability to control residential rent prices.

The “Yes” Vote argues,

Rent control could directly lead to making housing more affordable by preventing skyrocketing rent rates.
Nothing has changed in the housing market that could indicate there are a notable number of building managers whose intentions are to keep rental rates affordable for cost-burdened renters (the majority of whom are low-income renters of color).
The process of gentrification often results in the displacement of those who can’t afford to pay the newly increased rent or bills. Gentrification is when the character of a low-income neighborhood is changed by high-income individuals and new businesses moving into the neighborhood.
If rent control is implemented by the City of Minneapolis, proponents argue that it could stop gentrification by attempting to eliminate one of the controls often used to remove low-income individuals from their houses/units.

The “No” Vote argues,

Rent control could discourage developers from coming to the metro area.
Rent control would limit the ability of developers and companies to build more affordable housing units.
Rent control hasn’t succeeded in cities like New York and San Francisco.
As a result of potentially lower profits due to rent control measures, landlords may not reinvest in their properties and provide renters with safe and hygienic spaces to live.

Updates from Washington D.C.

From The Arc US: Disability Rights Activists and Care Workers Hold 24-Hour Storytelling Vigil to Urge Congress to Pass Funding for Home and Community-Based Services

On October 6, The Arc, American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, and the “Care Can’t Wait” coalition of disability rights, labor, health, aging, and caregiving groups held a 24-hour vigil outside of the U.S. Capitol. They demanded funding for home care services in President Biden’s “Build Back Better” package before Congress. The group delivered over 7,500 stories collected by The Arc from individuals impacted by dearth home and community-based services.

Senator Bob Casey closed out the vigil outside the Capitol by imploring his colleagues in Congress to vote “yes” on the transformative Build Back Better plan that could “put the country on the road to having the best caregiving in the world.” More information on the vigil and rally can be found here

Department of Education Holds Negotiated Rulemaking on Student Loan Discharge for People With Disabilities

On October 4, the Department of Education started a negotiated rulemaking on several topics. A topic included was the “Total and Permanent Disability” student loan discharge program for people with disabilities and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This program assists direct support professionals and other frontline disability service providers.

Unlike many other agencies, the Department of Education creates orders through negotiated rulemaking. This establishes a committee of advocates and interest groups to “negotiate” what their proposed rules should include. The Arc’s Senior Director of Income Policy, Bethany Lilly, was selected as a negotiator representing people with disabilities. The committee will meet again in November and December. Recordings of the meetings and additional information about the rulemaking can be found here.

Monthly Child Tax Credit Sent Out:

On October 15, millions of families across the country continued to receive monthly checks from the federal government as part of the Child Tax Credit. Qualifying families receive monthly checks up to $300 per month for each dependent under 6 years old and up to $250 per month for each dependent aged 6 to 17. If you have not automatically received your monthly credit and think you are eligible, visit this website to sign up.

Noteworthy News & Resources

From The Arc & Minnesota & Minnesota Department of Commerce:

Energy and Water Assistance Funds Available!

The Energy Assistance Program (EAP) helps pay for home energy and water costs and furnace repairs for income-qualified households. Initial energy grants range from $300 to $1600. Additional energy grants of up to $1,200 for past-due energy bills.

Grants to pay past due water bills
Grants are available to renters and homeowners
Grants may be given to households with income at or below 60% of the state median income. See the 2022 income guidelines.

Customers apply for water, energy, and weatherization assistance with one application.

Read the original blog post.
Read the original Capitol Connector.
Sign up for newsletters like Capitol Connector here.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 15, 2021 first appeared on The Arc Minnesota.

The post Capitol Connector Snapshot: October 15, 2021 appeared first on The Arc Minnesota.