MOHR impact December 2019

State rep takes on job realities as DSP

Above: Rep. Joe Schomacker assists Janet Sandbulte at RCO in Luverne - Photo courtesy of The Globe. Below, the legislator heats up lunch for Chris Anderson - Photo: Rock County Star Herald.

A state lawmaker gained frontline experience recently with personal care and transport assistance as a direct support professional for people with disabilities. The legislator is Rep. Joe Schomacker-R, Luverne. The setting was Rock County Opportunities, a small southwest Minnesota hometown nonprofit in the 30-minute shadow of booming Sioux Falls, S.D. It serves 45 people with disabilities on weekdays. Rep. Schomacker has been an advocate for RCO and similar service providers at the State Capitol. “At some point it’s kind of a ‘put up or shut up issue,’” he said. “How do you advocate effectively if you can’t take some time to see what they actually experience at the end of the day?” The idea stemmed from a November 2019 experience with Governor Tim Walz, who served as a personal care attendant for a day with a residential provider. -more-

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Time again for legislator visits January is a good time to invite legislators out for program visits, and to keep important issues fresh in their minds. Find your legislators here. Rep. Ami Wazlawik-D, White Bear Lake, second from right, visited Merrick, Inc. in Vadnais Heights at the end of 2018.

MOHR Life Enrichment Award entries sought

Individual lives are made through meaningful services and MOHR is looking for some excellent examples for its Third Annual Life Enrichment Awards. Most anyone can nominate a MOHR member for this non-vocational recognition and member partners are also highlighted. Please send your nominations by February 28, 2020. View the 2019 winners.

Radio listeners learn about autism

Listen to the KFAI program

Mr. Aaron Lind at Chrestomathy in Burnsville was first featured in MOHR impact.

Save the date for Day at the Capitol

Join us on Tuesday, March 10 The Best Life Alliance is rallying and meeting with legislators at the Minnesota Capitol in March. Would you save the date and plan to join us? More info about scheduling visits with legislators is coming soon.

Give HHS Blue Ribbon commission feedback, get updates

Minnesota’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services (the Commission) is seeking strategy suggestions for consideration for possible inclusion in the legislatively mandated action plan. Learn more here and sign up for email updates.

Member NEWS

D onors contribute $1.2 million for Stevens County DAC remodel Stevens County Times (PDF) Schomacker spends day at Direct Support Professional The Globe - Worthington Schomacker Spends Day With RCO Worker to Highlight Workforce Crisis Rock County Star Herald MOHR is looking for news from members to share with its audience. Please send it to us for possible inclusion in MOHR impact.

In the NEWS

Providing jobs for people with disabilities brings kudos Access Press Gov. Walz gets firsthand glimpse into mental, physical demands of home care workers- WCCO Radio Disabled Minnesota residents often live in costly isolation Star Tribune Chaotic care report ignores broader challenges of integrating the disabled Star Tribune - response from Sue Schettle  Geography matters for disabled workers The Herald Republican - Indiana Rep. Zerwas resigns Star Tribune Individuals with intellectual disabilities need a choice of services | Opinion Philadelphia Inquirer MN DHS under scrutiny for treatment of employees with disabilities St. Paul Pioneer Press Shortage of home care workers in Minn. affecting people with disabilities Minnesota Public Radio

Thriving on special minimum wage? Tell us.

Few, if any, in the mainstream are talking about special minimum wage (14c) as a valued option that people with disabilities can choose. MOHR wants to tell those stories. Can you help? Do you know of individuals with disabilities: Who had not previously worked until the special minimum wage option was made available. Who used this option as preparation to get hired directly. Who could possibly work as a direct hire but have decided that this option is the best fit right now. Please email your special minimum wage stories to Aaron .

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MOHR released its 2019-2020 Government Affairs Committee Workplan . It addresses the DSP workforce shortage, DWRS, service redesigns, transportation and more.

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The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation - To Advocate and support members in providing meaningful services to persons with disabilities and communities served.