MOHR impact
February 2020
Day at the Capitol is March 10. Will you join us?
MOHR is helping to coordinate the Day at the Capitol event and hoping that more than 1,000 people gather in the rotunda at 10 a.m., on March 10 to share their message about Direct Support Professional (DSP) wages with legislators.  The Best Life Alliance (BLA) has produced a one-page document that summarizes the legislation being proposed this session. Please click on this link to visit the BLA webpage and save this URL for future use to get updates and action alerts throughout the 2020 session. There is still time to make an appointment directly with your legislator to share the BLA summary for their easy reference. Please remember to thank your legislator for their time to meet with you and respectfully ask for their support of our DSP legislation.
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Contact them and schedule a visit for
Disability Services Day at the Capitol on March 10.
Don't miss the interactive display on disability services in the Capitol's north corridor. Featuring testimonials, it covers the history of disability care in Minnesota and the importance of DSPs. The exhibit runs from March 3 to 13.
Meet the new Director of Disability Services
Manager of Services and Standards Natasha Merz replaces Alex Bartolic, who retired
" Natasha is committed to promoting person-centered practices in Minnesota’s long-term care services and supports system, as well as promoting these practices in the workplace. She is excited to continue this collaborative work in her new role. "
-Doug Annett, Deputy Assistant Commissioner,
Community Supports Administration
Providers: residential partners can drive 'Day at Capitol' participation
By Heidi Smith, Grassroots Committee Chair
Advocacy can be challenging. Finding time to educate our stakeholders about the important issues and deciding which issues you should focus on can be frustrating. One of the most difficult hurdles may be getting the individuals we serve to the Day at the Capitol in March, especially if the program you serve is in rural Minnesota. 

However, despite these many valid reasons to throw in the towel, I have a couple great ideas to help you overcome these barriers and get the message of your organization to our legislators. -more-
Send your Life Enrichment Award entries!
MOHR needs examples of life enrichment for statewide recognition, so don't hesitate to apply for a Life Enrichment Award! All entries are scored on merit. Most anyone can nominate a MOHR member for this non-vocational recognition and member partners are also highlighted. Send your nominations by February 28, 2020. View the 2019 winners.
Spring training for disability pros

There’s much in store for members at MOHR's Spring Training Conference, set for May 14-15 in St. Cloud.
 
Learn how to avoid power struggles through programming, motivate the motivator, study leadership and listen to Keynote Ted Schick, who presents “The Work We Do.” Much more
Member NEWS
Bringing Joy: Washington County Worker Celebrates 30 years

Muncie (Indiana) Star Press | featuring Lori Schluttenhofer with Opportunity Partners
MOHR is looking for news from members to share with its audience.
Please send it to us for possible inclusion in MOHR impact.
In Focus: Hubbard County DAC Art Exhibit On Display - Lakeland PBS


Hard-won gains could all too easily be lost - Access Press

In St. Paul, artist with disability paints greeting cards for Australian wildlife

In the NEWS

St. Paul man with autism living the dream with his own radio broadcast

Hundreds Jump into Superior Bay for Duluth's Polar Plunge - WDIO TV

Moorhead exhibition celebrates talent of artists living with disabilities - Inforum

Fairmont to take part in Unified tournament - Fairmont Sentinel

Minnesota state jobs program for people with disabilities fails to live up to promise

How Superstars with Disabilities Make the World Better for All - Yahoo lifestyle

They couldn't find Girl Scout troops for kids with special needs so moms started one - NJ.com

Patient at Minnesota state mental hospital abused, wrongly strapped to restraint chair, report says - Star Tribune

Lawsuit argues Minnesota law discriminates against disabled and non English-speaking voters
Polar Plunge benefits Special Olympics MIX 108 video

Intellectual disabilities and performance: Historic moment with Zack Gottsagen at the Oscars - Star Tribune

The Standard Recognizes (Hennepin County) Disability and Absence Management Leader - Associated Press

Veteran walking from Minnesota to Jacksonville to raise money for Wounded Warriors

Scooters prompt old concerns, new conversations about accessibility
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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The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation - To Advocate and support members in providing meaningful services to persons with disabilities and communities served.