Get stakeholder perspectives on the move from the Waiver Reimagine Advisory Committee (WRAC) to the Waiver Reimagine Advisory Task Force (WRATF)!

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Advisory Task Force on Waiver Reimagine  will hold its next meeting on December 18 , and we strongly encourage community members and stakeholders to participate. 📍 Updated Meeting Location Please note the new venue  for the in-person session: Eagan Community Center 501 Central Parkway Eagan, MN 55121 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM This change ensures a larger, more accessible space for attendees who wish to join in person. 🖥️ Virtual Atte

Advocates and providers are pushing back against Gov. Tim Walz’s proposed disability service changes and remain wary of potential federal changes to Medicaid. By Jessie Van Berkel and James Walsh | The Minnesota Star Tribune Sumukha Terakanambi’s disability services waiver paid for the lift the Lakeville resident uses to get out of bed and the care that allows him to live in his family’s home.   For Steve Reinardy, whose eye disorder keeps him from driving, his waiver covers

DiVA Stands Against Proposed Budget Cuts Affecting Disability Services. The Governor has issued his proposed budget cuts for people with disabilities and elders. This is a significant threat to the well-being of individuals with disabilities across Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz unveiled a $65.9 billion budget proposal that includes significant $1.3 billion reductions in funding for disability waivers and services and long-term care. DiVA is arranging a meeting with the Governo

Disability Voice Advocates (DiVA), a program of Elder Voice Advocates (EVA), raise grave concerns about a proposed change to the funding program, Waiver Reimagine. EVA Board members Misti Okerlund, disability rights attorney, and Lauren Thompson, a person with disabilities, and DiVA member Lance Hegland are quoted throughout the article.  Minnesotans fear disability benefits overhaul will lead to more institutionalization The state is revamping its systems for assessing and f

SF 4733 EVA is focused on the threat form the MN Department of Human Services' plan to reconfigure the Waiver Reimagine program. This program will base reimbursement on where a person lives, not on their needs. Using this method will lower rates by as much as 30 – 50% less than what they are currently getting while congregate care will get much higher rates. EVA board member and disability rights advocate, Misti Okerlund brought this to light last year when she took the Cindy

Legislators hold the power to select four out of ten critical topics for evaluation by the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA). Among these, the guardianship of adults stands as a pressing concern, warranting thorough examination. This is a deeply flawed system that needs a close review to determine changes that protect vulnerable adults. We ask all to contact their legislators and ask them to vote for the audit for Guardianship of Adults.

2024 Legislative Priorities Urgent Need to Protect Those Under Guardianship – HF 3483/SF 3438 Guardians are immune from liability based on new court interpretation. Currently, a guardian is completely immune for virtually all acts of negligence, as a 2022 Minnesota Court of Appeals decision shows. Persons under guardianship are at risk of harm. As it stands, a guardian could provide for no food, no care, or neglect the person subject to guardianship, even up to the point of

Urgent Need To Protect Those Under Guardianship – HF3483/SF3438 Guardians are immune from liability based on new court interpretation....

Urgent Need to Prevent Budget Reduction for Those Living in their Home DiVA is working to raise awareness of the inequities of Waiver...

Elder Voice Advocates (EVA) recognizes the interconnectedness of issues facing both elderly individuals and those with disabilities. The quality care challenges of elders and people with disabilities align in many ways. Together we can unite the voices of older adults and adults with disabilities to create high impact advocacy. A group of adults with disabilities and family members are enthusiastically coming together and beginning their work with a focus on stopping Waiver R

Board member, Misti Okerlund, wins significant case in defense of a woman with disabilities who was be subjected to guardianship abuse....

Guardianship abuse is rampant and must be reformed. This negatively impacts elders, people with disabilities and their families just...