June 2021 Edition - Access Press

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TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766

Volume 32, Number 6

June 2021

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June special session set for lawmakers

LAWMAKERS To page 3

- Solange Nicole

NEWS DIGEST CHRIS JUHN

The locks bear names of victims of violence.

Documenting the movement, seeing intersectionality

by Chris Juhn Former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin will be sentenced June 25 for the May 2020 killing of George Floyd. The scenes of Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck are familiar, as are images of the protests that followed. Many people in the community showed up in protest like they have many times before. But unlike before, the rage that had normally turned into protests on the streets, highways, and occupying spaces for an amount of time turned into rioting and civil unrest.

Protests immediately followed Floyd’s death and went on for days, with parts of Minneapolis feeling like a war zone. For a moment, the global community stood with Minneapolis against what they

witnessed in the video of Chauvin ending Floyd’s life.

People from all walks of life took to the street in protest, throughout the next year and especially during Chauvin’s trial. What was visually different this time was over time, many people with disabilities showed up. The numbers increased over time, giving the disability community a notable visual presence.

Interpreters were provided at almost every protest for people with hearing disabilities, something I’ve never seen before in my work as a journalist.

For many people with disabilities, having to deal with law enforcement might end up being a fatal encounter In July of 2018, the mother of 16-yearold Archer Amorosi called police. Her MOVEMENT To page 5

Christy was a sports pioneer Page 3 Merger marks end of an era Page 2 Fellows are announced Page 6 Assisted living rules change Page 8

Turning a pandemic corner? Skepticism remains Even though Minnesota may be seeing success in efforts to combat COVID-19, many people still need their vaccines. All during May Minnesota health officials stepped up their efforts to vaccinate vulnerable communities including people with disabilities, racial minorities, people who don’t speak English and people who are out of work.

Efforts to accommodate people with disabilities include interpretation services, allowing drive-up vaccines and promoting use of the “one and done” Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

A large mass vaccination site at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds was closing in on 90,000 vaccines as May drew to a close. The site will remain in place through June 8.

From May 26 to June 8, the site will be administering the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Walk-ups are welcome from noon to 8 p.m. each day, but Minnesotans can also make appointments at mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/ statefairvaccine/ For accommodation requests at the fairgrounds site, call the Department of Health COVID-19 Public Hotline at 1-833-431-2053 between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays. American Sign Language (ASL) will be available on-site.

Efforts continue throughout Minnesota to make people aware of vaccine

The Minnesota State Fairgrounds vaccination center will be open until June 8. availability, community clinics and the need to get shots.

Almost 3 million Minnesotans age 16 and older have received at least one shot, with 2.4 million receiving the required number of doses. In May the vaccines were opened to people age 12 and older, setting off a scramble for parents who’d been waiting to have younger children vaccinated.

The state has had almost 600,000 people test positive for coronavirus, with more than 7,300 deaths, since the pan-

MDH

They’ll be back.

Minnesota’s 2021 regular legislative session ended at midnight May 17.

With no state budget or major bills passed, the best lawmakers and Gov. Tim Walz could do was reach general agreement on budget targets and decide to reconvene in a few weeks.

Until a June 14 special session, state leaders will be trying to hash out budget details. If they cannot pass a budget this month, the state could face its first shutdown in several years.

The next fiscal year starts July 1.

Walz’s emergency powers under the pandemic expire June 14 so state lawmakers hope to have their budget packages ready to pass that day along with any special powers exceptions.

Spending details were to be worked out by May 28, with policy issues hammered out by June 4.

The state budget is roughly $52 billion. With a $1.6 billion state surplus and about $2.8 bill in federal aid tied to the COVID-19 pandemic in the mix, there’s plenty to debate.

Disability advocates and their organizations are frustrated with the lack of progress, especially the fact that not a single budget bill passed during the regular session. While some measures made it through conference committees and could become reality, many others must wait until 2022.

At one of the last Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) gatherings before the regular session’s end, members and lobbyists discussed when Minnesota last had an on-time budget deal. Over the past 20 years, special sessions have been needed in all but three budget years. Those included partial state shutdowns.

Walz, House and Senate leaders held a news conference indicating that they had broad agreement on budget targets. But they admitted that many details and policy disagreements still had to be hammered out.

The agreements would including spending for education. That includes $75 million for summer programs, to help students who had to take remote classes during the pandemic. Extra education funding could be a help to many students with disabilities, who struggled with remote learning over the past several months.

Walz praised the general framework of the agreement, saying it took courage and leadership to hammer out. Republican leaders in the Senate are pleased that they staved off tax increases; House leaders point to the one-time federal aid coming in as making a budget deal possible.

But one-time funding has its limitations, and that is a big concern for disability advocates who want to see ongoing additional funding for needed programs and services.

A slew of issues remain unresolved.

One atypical issue for disability service and advocacy groups centers on electronic or e-pulltabs. After the bill deadline passed, HF 2366 was introduced. It would terminate games

There's nothing more debilitating about a disability than the way people treat you over it.

demic began more than a year ago..

Gov. Tim Walz made significant adjustments to the state’s pandemic and masking regulations in May, although cities including Minneapolis and St. Paul kept their mask regulations in place. Relaxation of the requirement, which was done in accordance with federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, has caused some confusion as well as frustration.

The CDC said in May that people who PANDEMIC To page 3

June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

Pg 2

Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Commissioner of Health worries that the removal of the [mask] mandate could cause an upswing in the number of COVID-19 cases. I agree with her.

Here comes the sun. It's a wonderful thing to feel the sun on your skin. As they say, it's what Minnesotans live for: these beautiful summer days. I hope we have plenty more, and I hope it doesn't get so hot and dry that we have forest fires, or on the other hand, storms in the gulf causing hurricanes and tornadoes and thunderstorms.

At the capitol, the good news is that the governor and the legislature came to agreement on a framework for the budget.

The bad news is that they will be going into extra innings, or a special session (they aren’t so special; seems we have them every year). What's the holdup, you ask? Nothing we haven’t seen before. The Republican-led Senate is not agreeing with the Democratic majority in the House.

We still don’t know if there will be an increase of reimbursement rates for home and community-based services, but it’s not looking good. It sounds as though American Recovery Plan money from

the federal government can be used for restructuring reimbursement rates for home and community-based services. That would include PCA and nursing wages, and possibly the legislation permitting PCAs to drive clients' vehicles as an IADL (Independent Activity of Daily Living).

But to create a structure that would allow ongoing automatic cost of living increases, there have to be state funds. The federal dollars are one-time money, and while it can be allocated over several years, it can’t be the whole solution.

As if reimbursement rates weren’t already low enough, in Hennepin County, the minimum hourly wage is going up to $15 an hour on July 1 for businesses with 100 employees or more. We could lose a lot of home care agencies. Whether the agencies are located in Hennepin County or not, if they place staff in Hennepin County, they will have to pay that rate.

Most home care agencies will not be able to afford to pay the county’s minimum wage

As if reimbursement rates weren't already low enough, in Hennepin County the minimum hourly wage is going up to $15 an hour on July for business with 100 employees or more. We could lose a lot of home care agencies.

if the legislature doesn't act quickly. Our legislators have been sitting on their hands for too long. They need to do something about a livable wage and something that will encourage people to join the home care workforce in the future.

Could we mobilize the National Guard to come out and take care of people in their homes? In 1993 when the state made unworkable changes to Metro Mobility, Gov. Arne Carlson ordered the Guard to assist in driving Metro Mobility buses. There certainly won't be room in institutions or hospitals this soon after the pandemic. I have heard of agencies making long-term plans to close their business, giving people a chance to react and try to find safe accommodations.

On a more encouraging topic, the coronavirus seems to be letting up in the U.S. Not so much in many other countries, with India suffering the most.

The Centers for Disease Control has changed their recommendation for fully vaccinated individuals, giving us a choice not to wear masks outdoors or for small indoor gatherings when everyone has been vaccinated. Gov. Tim Walz also withdrew the state’s mask requirement to follow the CDC, even though he originally planned to keep it in place until 70 percent of the Minnesota adult population was vaccinated, and only about 60 percent had a vaccination by mid-May. At the same time, Jan Malcolm, Minnesota Commissioner of Health, was openly hesitant about withdrawing the masks requirement. She said she would

have liked to require unvaccinated people to wear a mask, but that it wouldn’t be enforceable. She worries that the removal of the mandate could cause an upswing in the number of COVID-19 cases. I agree with her. Now we have to work out a way to stay safe and to make sure our young people, and unvaccinated adults, get their shots as quickly as possible.

Within days of the removal of mask restrictions, restaurants, bars, sports venues, malls and other shopping facilities ramped up their workforces to accommodate full service. But can we get back to normal so soon, with no repercussions from the pandemic? These businesses will have to deal with staffing shortages, and they will be competing with home care services for many of the same employees. Besides home care agencies, I wonder how many small businesses will not have the financial backing to reopen with the new minimum wage in place in Hennepin County.

There's a need for all of us to write more letters and make more calls to our legislators concerning the reimbursement rates for home and community-based services. The special session is expected to be called on June 14. Before then, the legislators need to know how the shortage of workforce is affecting your life. Write them this week and let them know how many hours and days you've gone without a caregiver, and what you need state laws to do.

Have a great month. Be a strong advocate. Be kind.

HISTORY NOTE

Innovative service provider Lifetrack founded to meet unique needs The July 1 merger of Lutheran Social Services and St. Paul-based Lifetrack makes another transition in Minnesota disability services history.

Lifetrack got its start in 1948 as the St. Paul Rehabilitation Center (SPRC). The center opened its doors to clients with two distinct sets of needs in those times.

One group was people disabled by their service in World War II. The others were affected by the polio epidemic and its disabling effects.

Both groups needed community-based services, outside of hospital settings. The St. Paul Junior League was among the groups involved in the SPRC’s launch.

SPRC got its start in the Seven Corners neighborhood of St. Paul. The programs were in the old Wilder Public Baths building. Part of that structure dated from 1912.

Programs grew quickly to meet community needs. In 1949 SPRC started a therapeutic preschool to address the cognitive and emotional needs of children receiving

therapy. That led to rapid growth during the 1950s, as SPRC developed a therapeutic child development system. This was a need not being met by the public school system.

The nonprofit also started vocational programs. Into the 1960s, SPRC expanded its employment services to people with disabilities. One big step was in 1963 with the opening of Packing First. This was a production facility to provide a unique source of employment for people with significant development disabilities. The jobs program eventually expanded to the city’s West Side.

That program in 1995 merged with KOPE, Keep Older People Employed.

SPRC in the 1960s also launched an employment services program for welfare recipients referred by Ramsey County.

Services continued to expand in the 1970s, with more offerings for people with hearing disabilities. Over time SPRC would further diversify its services, to include everyone from very young children to the elderly. The nonprofit worked with an array

of other east metro agencies, helping people with therapies, living skills and work.

A big change came during the 1980s.

Minnesota mandated that public schools provide therapeutic services to children with disabilities. SPRC responded by transforming its longtime preschool into Families Together, an early intervention program to support highly stressed, abused or neglected children living in poverty.

That was also the decade when SPRC expanded services to meet the needs of the homeless, immigrants and refugees. Services for people living with mental illness were also added.

Another big change came in 1991, when SPRC moved to a University Avenue building in the Frogtown neighborhood.

The building, which originally was an auto dealership, had been vacant for years when SPRC moved in. The nonprofit quickly became active in the community, even buying a problem bar and turning its building into a satellite facility.

By this time SPRC had become the largest east metro area private provider of employment services to people with disabilities or other challenges. It became a site for the Minnesota Family Investment Program.

SPRC became Lifetrack Resources, Inc. in 2000, launching statewide services for families of children diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing, as well as home visiting services.

Lifetrack's acquisition of the Working Family Resource Center in 2010 provided the change to meld complementary services and resources in the community through its Life Balance Solutions program, which gave families access to a greater spectrum of services.

This history came from Lifetrack and Access Press staff research.

The History Note is a monthly column produced in cooperation with the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Past History Notes and other disability history may be found at www.mnddc.org

EDITORIAL: Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Editorial material and advertising do not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

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In Memoriam f∏∏

Minnesota has lost a pioneer in adaptive sports. James Alan “Jim” Christy died this spring after a long battle with cancer. He was 71 and lived in Minneapolis. A celebration of life was held in May in Minneapolis.

Christy, who is described as having a larger-thanlife personality, is considered to be one of the fathers of adapted prep sports in Minnesota. He was a strong advocate for himself and for the rights of others.

James Christy was born May 12th, 1949 in Minneapolis, to Violet and Marion Christy. He lived with cerebral palsy, which had an impact on his early life. Until age 7, Christy’s parents didn’t realize that it was possible for him to even attend school. He often joked that he went to school and never left.

He attended Michael Dowling School through eighth grade, and then went on to graduate from Marshall High School.

Christy furthered his education with a degree from what was then Minneapolis Community College, going on to earn a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation from the University of Minnesota and a master’s degree in special education at Utah State University.

During his first year of teaching, Christy was on faculty at Marshall-University High School. It was the last year his alma mater was open. He continued to teach in a life skills program and at Roosevelt High School. He would spend most of his career at South High School, teaching special education and working with South Tigers teams.

Christy had always enjoyed sports but couldn’t join school teams as a youngster. As a student at Marshall High School, he was among a group of students with disabilities who pushed for the chance to play floor hockey. The students wrote their own rules, adapted for athletes with disabilities. Adapted soccer would follow.

He coached adapted sports at South for decades, leading teams in soccer, baseball and floor hockey. His teams made about three dozen state tournament appearances, and earned many placings at the state level. But his work went well beyond the walls of South High School.

Christy worked with many other teams, coaches and sports officials. He helped other teams get started and wrote some of the first rules for competition.

He even designed some adaptive equipment. In 1987, adapted soccer goals were tape on wall. In an attempt to see what was possible for regular goals Christy and Clyde Riddel built a set of goals out of PVC pipe and netting. The improvised goals eventually led to the use of commercially made nets.

Christy talked to Minnesota Parent magazine about how coaches improvised and rewrote game rules. “We rewrote them for kids in wheelchairs, kids that didn’t have legs, kids that didn’t have arms, kids who couldn’t hold the stick,” Christy says. “We tried to be fair to everybody.”

In other interviews, he spoke of how young athletes went from simply enjoying the chance to play to being competitive and wanting to win.

Christy dedicated much time to the Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association (MAAA), founded in 1969, to provide youth with disabilities the same opportunity as other students enjoy the benefits of a quality high school sports program. The association formed to provide support, scheduling and playoff

PANDEMIC From page 1

are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks outside or inside in most cases. That covers anyone who is fully vaccinated, as in two weeks out from their second shot if they got a Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or their only shot if they got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The exceptions are if someone is in a hospital, longterm care facility or other medical facility. Schools have mask guidelines until the end of the academic year. Anyone on transit or a plane needs to mask up. Individual retailers can also opt to continue to require masks, although the numbers of national retailers doing so dropped steadily.

Walz’s decision reverses an earlier announcement that he’d drop the state mask mandate on July 1, or when 70 percent of Minnesotans 16 or older had been vaccinated, whichever came first. The state still isn’t at 70 percent vaccination.

LAWMAKERS

From page 1 that “display or simulate any other form of gambling, entertainment, slot machines, electronic video lotteries, or video games of chance.” The bill wound up in the House Commerce Omnibus bill. Foes said it went through with little public input.

It would not only affect nonprofits that get a share of bar gaming proceeds, it also would affect financing for US Bank Stadium.

The fiscal note for HF 2366 states that “all existing electronic pull-tab and linked bingo games will be prohibited under the proposed language.”

CHRISTY FAMILY, SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL

Christy pioneered adaptive sports; made sure all could play

Jim Christy is shown with one of his South High Tigers teams.

Christy and his friends wrote their own sports rules. ratings for the sports of soccer, floor hockey and softball.

Christy served on its board for many years, holding the offices of president, vice present and treasurer. He also served on its rules committee.

In 1992, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) accepted a proposal from MAAA to become the first high school activity association in the nation to sponsor adapted athletic programs. The first state

The governor and the state’s Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm both said they were surprised by the federal announcement. Both urged Minnesotans who haven’t been vaccinated to do so.

Disability groups have been scrambling to share information, look at program changes and decide on next steps.

Some, such as Can Do Canines and Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota, have announced returns to in-person programs and activities in June. Others are Others are staying on top of a rapidly shifting regulatory landscape. ARRM in late May held a conference call with the Minnesota Departments of Health and Human Services to discuss the changes to the state mask mandate and what it means for home and community-based services and intermediate care facilities. The call can be accessed, along with COVID-19 data, at www.arrm.org/ resource-center/covid19 Stay abreast of pandemic information at the MDH webpage, which is updated constantly. Go to https://www. health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/situation.html

While 2021 was a session with very few bills that made it through, one end-of-session win for some people with disabilities expands the state’s medical marijuana program to allow use of cannabis in plant form. People enrolled in the program will be able to smoke cannabis for relief of a specific set of conditions. Several conditions can legally be treated with cannabis, with more added after a formal review process.

Foes said the measure is a back-door way of legalizing marijuana; supporters said it will provide cost savings for people who rely on cannabis for medical reasons.

The new medical cannabis law takes effect by March 1, 2022, or once a procedure is in place for the testing of dried raw cannabis from the state's existing manufacturers.

POHI was used to refer to 'physical or other health impairments" when referring to students with disabilities. tournaments and championships under the MSHSL umbrella began in 1994.

Schools now compete in adapted floor hockey, softball, soccer and bowling. Teams compete in divisions for cognitive and physical disabilities. Athletes with disabilities can also compete in track and field events.

June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

FROM OUR COMMUNITY Some gains, but much work remains at the state capitol The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD), like many other groups, is waiting to see what emerges from the upcoming legislative special session. There are accomplishments to be proud of.

Seizure Smart Schools would improve safety of students by increasing access to seizure action plans for students with epilepsy and seizure response training materials for staff.

This bill was bolstered by strong support from advocates and legislators. It got through both education and conference committees.

We’re waiting to see how budget negotiations and larger political conversations play out. We will continue advocating for this important legislation that empowers students living with epilepsy to feel safe in school and reach their full academic potential. Thanks to Mollie Clark and the amazing team at Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota for spearheading the grassroots effort on legislation.

“As a parent, I don’t want to be scared… I want to be assured that my child’s school is educated…and prepared for a seizure,” said Trisha Zeller, mother to a 13-year-old with epilepsy.

Cassie’s Law, another bill championed by MNCCD members, would allow judges to order neuropsychological evaluations of people with a history of stroke, brain injury or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder prior to sentencing. This would improve outcomes for people in the criminal justice system. The bill has been in the works for the past few years and has strong support.

We hoped much more would be accomplished, including an accessibility package to improve accessibility for people who have neurological, sensory and intellectual disabilities.

SF1348 and HF 139 would have modified sensory accommodations provided in public spaces, but weren’t acted upon. Nor was SF 1349, to establish accessibility standards for emergency shelters. SF 1556, requiring large events to provide sensory-friendly accessibility plans during the permitting process, and SF 1961, to provide accommodations for parents of disabled children in public schools, also languished.

We had hopes for a package of bills to transform disability services and supports to address racial inequities, promote equitable access, and respect individuals’ informed choice as they build belonging in community through competitive integrated employment, homes of their choice, and selfdirection.

Also sidelined is the Spinal Cord and Traumatic Brain Injury Research Grant Program, supporting spinal cord and

traumatic brain injury research.

Another disappointment is that no changes were made to enhance operations of the Minnesota Rare Disease Advisory Council.

We also want expansion of the definition of brain injury, to allow persons affected by fetal alcohol syndrome to be eligible to apply for the brain injury waiver.

Caregiver compensation is another disappointment as needed Personal Care Assistance (PCA) reforms didn’t pass.

SF 497, a bill meant to stabilize PCA rates and address the workforce shortage, didn’t get through the Senate. Nor was there significant Senate action on the homecare workers and clients collective bargaining agreement or to compensation for services provided by a parent or spouse. A directive to the Department of Human Services to work with stakeholders to create a plan to ensure that Minnesotans who have disabilities can access individualized direct support during hospitalization fell short.

Childcare for children with disabilities’ access expansion grants also didn’t get through the regular session.

While we are disappointed that our legislative priorities didn’t move out of committee, the grassroots advocacy spurred by MNCCD’s work is very encouraging. We are encouraged by the strong collaboration that led us to this point, especially during this difficult year. MNCCD is hoping to continue this momentum into the upcoming special session and the next full legislative session to ensure that Minnesota is a national leader in promoting and protecting the needs of disabled residents while promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Together, the MNCCD and our member organizations will continue to work tirelessly for the well-being of all Minnesotans.

We want to thank everyone who attended one of our Tuesdays at the Capitol or participated in a Let’s Talk session with the Minnesota Department of Health and representatives from Gov. Tim Walz’s office.

What are we looking forward to next session? We are excited to work with our member organization, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, to propose first of its kind legislation. The Rare Disease Access Bill would ensure that a person enrolled in a health plan could receive needed services related to the diagnosis and treatment of a rare disease or condition without access restrictions or greater financial burden for going out-of-network. Research on this bill is ongoing.

The summary was prepared by Annika Grassl, MNCCD intern.

Pg 4

MAMES members able to stave off severe cuts From the Midwest Association of Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers who do business in Minnesota have been in a massive fight to protect Medicaid recipients over the last year.

It started in 2019 when the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health and Human Services (BRC) developed nine cost saving strategies, including two cuts to DME. Of those two, one was included into the Governor’s 2022-2023 budget to modify certain Medical Assistance DME payment rates to match Medicare rates.

Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) didn’t carry the governor’s proposal forward in its budget, but the House HHS Policy & Finance Committee did. Details emerged that the proposed cuts included payment methodology that would have drastically affected Medicaid recipients who use complex wheelchairs, incontinence supplies, compression garments and more.

The House held a hearing where the MAMES executive director and four advocates testified. In addition, the House Committee received written testimony from advocates, providers, and other organizations.

Members of the House HHS Committee heard loud and clear that Medicaid recipients would be harmed if the DME cuts proposed were to move forward. They took action to make sure they weren’t. Included in an amendment for HF2128, the entire DME proposal was deleted from the bill.

This is a huge legislative victory for the Medicaid recipients who rely on medical equipment and supplies that they need!

Two more tasks remain for MAMES in a special session, fixing the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics/Orthotics & Supplies (DMEPOS) tax law and stopping s recoupment of DME providers from 2018/2019. Stay tuned.

Protect everyone from Social Security scams

by Brian Rudolph and Rhonda Whitenack, Social Security public affairs specialists, Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is on June 15. On this day, and throughout the month, communities, seniors, caregivers, governments, organizations and the private sector unite to prevent the mistreatment of and violence against older people.

Social Security imposter scams are widespread across the United States. Scammers use sophisticated tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money.

They target everyone – even the elderly – and their tactics continue to evolve.

Most recently, Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has received reports of phone scammers creating fake versions of the identification badges most federal employees use to gain access to federal buildings.

The scammers may text or email photos of the fake badges to convince potential victims of their legitimacy.

These badges use government symbols, words, and even names and photos of real people, which are available on government websites or through internet searches.

If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, hang up or do not respond. You should know how to identify when it’s really Social Security. We will NEVER: • Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.

• Suspend your Social Security number.

• Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.

• Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.

• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.

• Send official letters or reports containing your personal

Be part of our

Directory of Organizations

information via email.

We only send text messages if you have opted in to receive texts from us and only in limited situations, including the following: • When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications by text.

• As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.

If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights.

We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG website at oig.ssa.gov. You may read our previous Social Security fraud advisories at oig.ssa.gov/newsroom/ news-release. Please share this information with your friends and family to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.

Access Press brings you disability-focused journalism!

Charlie Smith, Jr. Founding Editor and Executive Director 1990-2001

Tim Benjamin Retired Executive Director and Editor 2001-2020

Access Press is Minnesota’s disability news source.

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

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PEOPLE & PLACES

CHRIS JUHN

MCIL marks 40 years with new logo

Marches have highlighted the attention paid to the need for law enforcement reform.

Speakers at press conferences drew attention to critical issues.

MOVEMENT

From page 1 son was having a mental health crisis. She feared that he was suicidal. After the police arrived they used a taser, but ended up shooting and killing him.

In September 2019, 21-year-old Kobe Heisler, who is on the autism spectrum, was in a similar situation in Brooklyn Center. He was also shot and killed by police. Those are just two of the many examples of law enforcement using force to kill individuals with disabilities in Minnesota. Across the country there are many similar stories.

A report in 2016 by the Ruderman Foundation found that up to 50 percent of all those killed in such highprofile killings were people with disabilities.

Awareness is being raised about the intersectionality between law enforcement-related brutality cases and having a disability. Many are becoming vocal to draw attention to the issue. What we’re seeing in Minneapolis is the coming together of different groups to stand together to try to achieve the goal of ending such brutality and killings.

Disability community members will continue to show up to these protests. There still exists the very real fear that if someone with a disability has a number of things happen they might end up in the same situation as George Floyd. To many, “complying with orders,” is an impossible thing to achieve for one reason or another.

Awareness continues to be raised about law enforcement brutality issues and the need for change.

Many states and cities are looking at ways to reform longstanding practices, which will directly affect many people with disabilities.

The future is still uncertain if these issues of law enforcement brutality will at all be affected by the verdict around the Chauvin trial. As things move forward, people with disabilities are likely to have a continued presence on the front lines of these issues.

Chris Juhn is a photojournalist and found of ABLE Press. He has documented many protests and movements in Minnesota.

He write about his life’s journey with disabilities and his work at https://turtleroad.org/2021/01/15/chris-juhn/ Read more about the Ruderman Foundation study at

https://rudermanfoundation.org/media-missing-the-storyhalf-of-all-recent-high-profile-police-related-killings-arepeople-with-disabilities/

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), now in its 40th year of assistance to people with disabilities in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area, has unveiled a new look.

The disability service nonprofit has redesigned its logo and debuted a new Web Content Accessibly Guideline (WCAG 2.1) accessible website. The new logo and improved website give MCIL a step into its future.

MCIL’s mission statement is “Removing Barriers/ Promoting Choices.” For MCIL, assisting people in removing barriers and promoting choices, starts with a focus on the individual’s decision-making they have for their life and to fully realize their hopes and dreams.

The new look of MCIL is built upon its mission statement, and its core values: mindful, responsive and advocacy, stewardship, transparency and trustworthy, collaboration, partnership and systems advocacy and, self-empowerment and selfdetermination.

“We believe it is important we nurture awareness and action that ultimately realizes our vision,” MCIL said in announcing the website and new logo. “We believe in a world of opportunities, choices, and the freedom to live those choices. We recognize that aspiration, hopes and dreams are universal and for MCIL we believe in the power of independent living.”

Working with Kathleen Westerhaus, principal consultant at K. Westerhaus Consulting, LLC, MCIL conducted market research over a twoyear period in gaining important input from its constituents and internal and external stakeholders. For example, MCIL learned that that its PCAs appreciate the timely responsiveness of MCIL employees in meeting their needs in support of PCA Consumers in the Home-Based Services PCA Choice Program.

See the new website at https://mcil-mn.org/

June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

Pg 6

PEOPLE & PLACES Clark, Thor are among 2021 Bush Fellows

Rick Cardenas

Cardenas memorial is June 13 A memorial service and open house for disability rights activist Rick Cardenas is 1-4 p.m. Sunday, June 13 at the Harriet Island/Wigington Pavilion in St. Paul.

Cardenas died in March after many years as a disability community leader.

Proclamations in honor of him will be read at the start of the wake, but attendees should feel free to come and go at any time to pay respects to the Cardenas family.

Masks required. In lieu of flowers, family members ask friends to share their memories at https://memorials. muellermemorial.com/richardcardenas/4559878/service-details.php

Two Minnesotans with disabilities, John Lee Clark and Mai Thor, are among the 2021 Bush Foundation fellows.

John Lee Clark. St. Paul, is — quite literally — building a new world. A member of the deafblind community, he is helping lead a movement to build touch, contact and direct connections to make it possible for people like him to live on their own terms, not according to dominant norms in sighted and hearing society.

Clark and his community are reengineering how classrooms are arranged for meaningful learning, how homes are designed and how meetings are run. They have found new ways to communicate, navigate, socialize and even speak. Now he wants to take this movement to a new level, bringing its principles and practices to all aspects of the lives of those in the deafblind community, from higher education to the arts. To lead this groundbreaking work, Clark will study with creative thinkers and artists, connect with fellow educators and artist mentors, and pursue training to lead change through collaboration.

Mai Thor, Oak Park Heights, seeks to embed disability justice in the work of larger justice and equity movements. As a person living with a disability and as a leader who has helped design more accessible and inclusive systems for people with disabilities, she sees that social justice movements often leave disability out of their efforts.

She wants to transform these movements to be completely accessible and inclusive so that every march, rally or community meeting is informed by a disability perspective. To grow her capacity to lead, she will study ableism and disability culture, history and law.

She will also convene a network of social justice and disability justice leaders to build understanding and greater solidarity.

Thor has worked for various disability organizations and recently has been involved with the push to vaccinate people with disabilities against COVID-19. She is also a former Access Press contributing writer.

Other 2021 fellows also will be doing disability-focused work.

Kahin Adam, St. Cloud, will focus on decreasing barriers to culturally relevant health care and mental health services for immigrants and refugees. He learned first-hand as a refugee from Somalia how difficult it can be to navigate health systems and how lack of access to health care leads to chronic disease and mental illness. Today, he serves as an educator, community organizer, and the only psychotherapist in St. Cloud specializing in the treatment of patients who have experienced trauma.

Sandra Gabriela Filardo, Eden Prairie, is an assistant Hennepin County attorney and an advocate for changing the way the judicial system handles non-violent crimes. She believes the current system creates a revolving door for many who commit crimes because of poverty, addiction and mental health issues. She wants to prevent these non-violent crimes from becoming a gateway to a lifetime in the criminal justice system.

The Bush Fellowship provides fellows with up to $100,000 over 12 to 24 months to pursue education and learning experiences that help them develop the skills and relationships to foster large-

Mai Thor

John Lee Clark

scale change in their communities and region. The fellowship is distinctive in its flexibility, allowing fellows to define what they need to become more effective and equitable leaders. Fellows can use the funding to pursue such things as education, leadership training, networking and mentorship.

“The 2021 Fellows are addressing a wide variety of issues in communities around the region,” said Bush Foundation Vice President of Grantmaking Anita Patel. “Each is seeking to be a stronger leader and greater force for justice and equity.”

“We believe in investing in people who can address challenges today and who are driven to grow their ability to have even greater impact in the future,” Patel said. “We see past Bush Fellows at the forefront of solving our region’s most critical issues, and we are excited to see the impact these new 2021 Fellows will have in the coming years.”

Fellows are selected by a diverse group of community leaders from across the region. This year, 538 people applied.

“These 24 Fellows are committed to strengthening their capacity to lead large-scale, equitable change,” said Patel. “In this time when our region faces reckoning around racial justice sparked by the murder of George Floyd, inequities exposed by COVID-19 and challenges to Native sovereignty, we need leaders who can imagine FELLOWS To page 7

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

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PEOPLE & PLACES Tech for Healthy Aging is a statewide program that is helping older Minnesotans with disabilities utilize assistive technology to improve their safety, independence and quality of life. Its goals are improving public understanding of technology’s potential for older adults, and promoting safe aging in place.

Tech for Healthy Aging is innovative as a collaboration of two organizations, the Lighthouse Center for Vital Living in Duluth and Twin Cities-based LiveLife Therapy Solutions, Inc. The project also takes a multi-disciplinarian approach to assistive technology. The two organizations employ occupational therapists, assistive technology professionals, physical therapists, speech therapists, professionals in the blindness field, and technology systems experts.

The program is funded in part by a Minnesota Department of Human Services Live Well at Home grant. Services provided under this program are generally available to people who are over the age of 65; have a disability or chronic health condition and want to continue to live independently.

Examples of qualifying conditions might include but

are not limited to vision or hearing loss; memory loss; communication challenges; depression or other mental health challenges; balance issues; mobility limitations; or chronic conditions like diabetes or Parkinson’s.

Services offered include consultant and assessment, training and connections to community resources.

Assessments and training are done in a person’s home or via telehealth. Services are person-centered – guided by each person’s own needs and goals. They are built on a team approach involving family members, caregivers, and professionals from multiple areas of expertise.

Examples of the types of technologies often recommend are Smart Home technologies like Alexa or Google Home; adaptive telephones; Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices (AAC); medication management systems; computers; tablets; cell phones; mobility devices like walkers or wheelchairs; and lowtech solutions like lighting, markings or grab bars.

Tech for Healthy Aging services are paid for via multiple funding sources, including the Live Well at Home grant,

Walz, Flanagan announce appointments

Abdi Matan of St. Peter replaces Kate Onyeneho on the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, as the private nonprofit representative. Christine McVey of St. Paul replaces Jacqueline Rightler as the Department of Employment and Economic Development Representative The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities works to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the necessary supports and services to achieve increased independence, productivity, self-determination, integration, and inclusion in their community.

Chandra Petersen of Kasota was appointed to the

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have announced appointments of several people to state boards, commissions and committees that serve people with disabilities.

Lisa Harvey, Spring Valley, replaces Patricia Jensen on the Ombudsman Committee for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. The committee advises and assists the ombudsman in developing policies, plans and programs to benefit persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependence, and emotional disturbance.

Several appointments were announced to the Statewide Independent Living Council. Harvey was also appointed to the Statewide Independent Living Council, replacing Nichole Meyer. Haley Kimmet of Minneapolis, replaces Joshua Berg. Robyn Block of Good Thunder replaces Nancy Yaklich. Joani Werner of Vadnais Heights replaces Tammie Carlson.

Edward Lecher of St. Paul replaces Annette Toews as the State Services for the Blind member. Larry Lura of Minneapolis was reappointed.

The Statewide Independent Living Council monitors, reviews, and evaluates the State Plan for Independent Living. The council also coordinates with other entities to provide long-term community-based services and supports and works collaboratively with the Centers for Independent Living to create, monitor, review and evaluate the state plan. MNSILC coordinates activities with other entities in the state that provide services similar or complementary to independent living services.

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Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, as Southeast Advisory Committee representative.

Petersen replaces Lloyd Ballinger. Kathryn Rose of Fergus Falls was appointed as the commission’s Northwest Advisory Committee representative The Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing serves as the principal agency of the State to advocate on behalf of the deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing Minnesotans by working to ensure those persons have equal access to the services, programs and opportunities available to others.

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FELLOWS

From page 6 new systems and transform existing ones. We find inspiration in the vision these Fellows offer our region as they work inside and outside of systems to foster new and just approaches.”

More than 2,400 people have received support from the fellowship. The Bush Fellowship counts among its alumni playwright August Wilson; the Sioux Chef founder and CEO chef Sean Sherman; former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson; author and storyteller Kevin Kling; founder of the Healing Justice Foundation Dr. Joi Lewis; epidemiologist and infectious disease expert Michael Osterholm; South Dakota poet laureate Lee Ann Roripaugh; Minneapolis City Council member Andrea Jenkins; Humanize My Hoodie Movement co-founder Jason Sole; and former special assistant to President Obama for Native American affairs Jodi Archambault.

The Bush Foundation will accept applications for the 2022 Bush Fellowship beginning August 10. The Bush Fellowship is open to anyone age 24 years and older who wants to build their ability to make change happen. Applicants must live in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or one of the 23 Native nations that shares the same geography.

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

Pg 8

REGIONAL NEWS Law change for assisted living in August With Minnesota’s new assisted living licensure law set to take effect August 1, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) encourages families and residents at assisted living-type facilities to ask their current care providers about their plans and any impacts to the care provided beginning in August. Assisted living providers will also need to notify families and residents if they will no longer provide certain services, or if contracts are updated to meet license changes.

Approximately 60,000 Minnesotans live in 1,800 assisted living-type facilities that mostly serve seniors.

Most of those who live in an assisted living-type facility, dementia care or housing with home care will not experience significant changes in their services due to the new licensing program. However, some residents may see changes by this August, and in some cases those changes may make it necessary for residents to find a new service provider or even a new place to live.

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm said the best approach for residents and their families is to connect with their care providers as soon as possible to learn how the new licensure program may impact the providers’ services and plans going forward.

“It is an important time to discuss your care because providers are currently making decisions about the type of services they will be offering beginning August 1,” said Malcolm. “We are working with providers to make sure residents get all the information they need in a timely fashion, but it’s a good idea for residents and families to have these discussions with providers and ask questions now so they are prepared to manage any possible changes.”

Minnesotans who live in an assisted living-type facility should look for a notification from their provider in the coming weeks, or they should contact their provider to learn whether their provider intends to get the assisted living license needed to keep operating after August 1.

Current assisted living-type providers must apply by June 1 to be eligible for Minnesota’s new assisted living license.

“The new licensure structure protects the foundation of assisted living in Minnesota, including consumer choice, independence and the ability to age in place while enhancing transparency and regulatory accountability. We encourage patience through this generational change, giving caregivers, regulators, families and residents time to adapt to and complete this significant transition,” said Gayle Kvenvold, president/CEO of LeadingAge Minnesota.

Any comprehensive home care provider not planning to provide home care services after August 1 must give a written notice by May 31 to every resident who receives services. Likewise, a housing with services provider who does not intend to continue to offer housing after August 1 must notify tenants in writing by May 31.

“No one contemplated then that we would be crafting the rules for this new framework in the middle of a pandemic, which has made the transition more complex with less time to prepare,” said Patti Cullen, president/CEO, Care Providers of Minnesota. “Despite

Bed shortage affects youth

Scores of Minnesota children and adolescents with mental health problems are suffering in hospital emergency rooms for days or even weeks because they have nowhere to go for more intensive care. Parents of children as young as 7 or 8 describe agonizing waits in emergency departments that are not equipped to treat people with serious mental illness and where prolonged stays can be traumatic. In some cases, even the emergency rooms are full, and children experiencing mental health crises are being consigned to stretchers or

all the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a worse-than-ever workforce shortage, we remain fully committed to the successful implementation of the new assisted living rules in our communities.”

These changes could impact residents living in housing with home care services, which may affect a wide array of services.

The groundbreaking reform legislation passed by the Minnesota Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz in 2019 is designed to improve the safety and quality of care in long-term care in Minnesota. There will be two types of assisted living licenses beginning August 1, Assisted Living License and Assisted Living License with Dementia Care The two licenses replace the combined Comprehensive Home Care License and the Housing with Services registration, which will be discontinued after July 31.

"The Alzheimer's Association is always available to support families as they consider any change in care for someone living with dementia," said Sue Parriott, Alzheimer's Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter CEO. "We understand that these transitions may be stressful, but we believe this new licensing system will provide a more stable and safe care environment for residents in all assisted living settings."

The new assisted living reforms set higher expectations for providers and create more protections for people living in assisted living establishments. It will also create clear pathways for accountability and better services for residents of assisted living facilities.

“We want Minnesota families and residents to be aware of the positive changes coming related to the licensing of assisted living facilities,” states Kristine Sundberg, executive director of Elder Voice Family Advocates. “We now have a substantial improvement in safety and care standards and added protections on the way that will help keep our parents and spouses better protected from neglect and harm.”

For more information, please visit the Assisted Living Licensure webpage.

(Source: Minnesota Department of Health) chairs in crowded ER hallways.

The practice of keeping psychiatric patients in emergency departments while they await hospital beds —known as “boarding” — has existed for decades, but hospital administrators and child psychologists say it has reached a crisis point amid rising levels of anxiety, depression and other stresses brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Many ER departments across the state are seeing a surge in mental health-related admissions among children, as disorders that were left untreated over the

past year are now boiling over as youngsters return to school and attempt to re-establish routines and social connections. Mental Health Minnesota, a nonprofit advocacy group, said the number of children under age 18 screened for mental health problems soared last year to 7,882 screenings, up from 1,664 in 2019.

"The water was already high, and now the dam has broken," said Kristen Wiik, manager for neuropsychology and the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic at Hennepin Healthcare.

At Minneapolis-based M Health Fairview, one of the state's largest health systems with 10 hospitals, emergency room visits by children and adolescents in mental health crisis have surged 18% this year over preCOVID levels.

On any given day, as many as 20 children are boarding in its hospital emergency departments or pediatric units while awaiting inpatient beds where they can receive more intensive care. Most children are discharged within days, though one child on the autism spectrum recently had to wait eight months for a bed at a residential treatment center, officials said.

Hospital systems like M Health Fairview have begun deploying multidisciplinary teams of psychologists, counselors and social workers to help children boarded in ERs, but demand can be overwhelming for emergency departments already stretched thin by COVID-19 patients.

Parents and mental health advocates have expressed concern that prolonged boarding in hospital ERs could have lasting consequences by discouraging young people with mental illnesses from seeking treatment.

(Source: Star Tribune)

Disability claim is settled

Lake States Lumber Inc. of Duluth will pay $100,000 to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The suit alleged that an employee of the Duluth company took a medical leave to undergo heart surgery, and when he returned to work with no work restrictions, he was reassigned to a different job, which he held for just nine days before his dismissal. The EEOC contends the company's actions violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Under the terms of the settlement, Lake States Lumber provides not only financial relief, but also will be bound by a two-year consent decree that stipulates that in the future the company will not require employees to be released without restrictions or to be identified as 100 percent healthy in order to return to work. Lake States managers and personnel also will be required to undergo ADA training, and the company is required to report any disability discrimination complaints that might arise to directly the EEOC during the two-year term of the decree.

“It is an unfortunate reality that even when an employee who has been on disability leave is able to return to work without any restriction at all, many employers continue to regard that employee as unable to work in the same capacity as prior to the leave,” said Gregory Gochanour, an EEOC regional attorney, in a statement. “The consent decree sends the message that no type of disability discrimination, including this variety, will be tolerated in the workplace.”

(Source: Duluth News-Tribune)

Employment programs announced

Two programs to help people with disabilities remain in the workforce have been announced.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) was awarded a Retaining Employment and Talentz After Injury/ Illness Network (RETAIN) Phase II grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Minnesota was one of five states REGIONAL NEWS To page 9

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

Pg 9

PEOPLE AND PLACES New group home in New Hope is celebrated at ribbon-cutting event Opportunity Partners this spring celebrated the completion of the new Doug’s Place group home in New Hope. It replaced the organization’s residence destroyed by fire in 2019.

Opportunity Partners works with 1,500 adults with disabilities each year.

The residence, home to three adults with disabilities, was destroyed by fire in June 2019. No one was seriously injured in the fire, although an Opportunity Partners employee heroically helped a resident to leave the house safely.

Losing the group home was a challenge, but Denali Custom Homes Founder/ New New Hope group home ribbon-cutting is celebrated President David Bieker was particularly interested in helping The spacious four-bedroom, more accessible residence with the rebuild. He has an adult son with disabilities will be home to four women with disabilities. The new and sees the difficulties people can face in finding suitable residents are excited to have a new washer and dryer, housing to age in place. In addition to the contributions wall-mounted TVs, and large pantry in a modern, white from Denali and its subcontractors, many friends of kitchen.

Opportunity Partners donated more than $49,000 to the Doug’s Place is named for OP’s long-time residential organization after the fire.

From page 8

REGIONAL NEWS

to receive such a grant.

The four-year $19,518,509 grant supports MN RETAIN, which helps employees stay at or return to work more rapidly when an injury or illness impacts their ability to work. Its goal is to help keep 3,200 Minnesotans connected to the workforce over the next four years.

“Now more than ever, we need to do all we can to keep Minnesotans connected to the labor force, and MN RETAIN does just that,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove.

The program connects ill or injured workers and their employers with case managers. MN RETAIN can offer assistance for up to six months, helping employees navigate complex systems, find accommodations for disabilities as needed, and return safely to work.

MN RETAIN is a collaboration between DEED, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Governor’s Workforce Development Workforce Board, Workforce Development, Inc. and Mayo Clinic.

Another help for people with disabilities seeking employment is for people with mental health conditions.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced seven states, including Minnesota, have been chosen to participate in its new initiative to help improve employment outcomes.

The Labor Department's Advancing State Policy Integration for Recovery and Employment initiative provides Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Florida, Indiana, Oklahoma and Virginia with tailored and targeted assistance, such as expertise to help create and implement a plan that encompasses multiple systems like mental and behavioral health, Medicaid, vocal rehabilitation, workforce and education.

(Source: Minnesota DEED, U.S. Department of Labor)

Stolen prosthetic is recovered

When Parker Hanson’s vehicle was broken into and his prospective arm was stolen, he thought it was gone forever.

Hanson was once a Hawley prep standout, cranking out homers in high school and on the American Legion ball field, all without a left hand. He's now playing at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

“My roommate came in, woke me up before class, and he goes, ‘Our cars were broken into,'’” Hanson said.

Someone rifled through his car and stole his prosthetic arm from a backpack. He thought it was gone forever until workers at a Sioux Falls recycling plant spotted it in a huge pile of trash. Fundraising was launched to pay for a replacement. And then there was a surprise.

“I woke up and got a text, and I was shaking from excitement,” Hanson said. “It was pretty cool. Seeing what my arm went through was pretty funny. The guy who found it was pretty excited. (He) had a big smile on his face and shook my hand,” he said.

They called Hanson down to the recycling center and, in an emotional moment, presented the stolen prosthetic arm to him.

Since news broke of the stolen prosthetic, Shriner's Hospital announced it was getting Hanson a new prosthetic arm. The money Hanson raised is going back to Shriner's and another nonprofit for children with disabilities.

Hanson also reached out to some of those kids who want to play catch with him. “I want to make someone's

day better. If I can make one person's day better every day, that is a good day for me,” Hanson said.

(Source: Associated Press)

Organization has new name

A southern Minnesota organization dedicated to helping empower people with disabilities and their families has branched out on its own under a new name.

What was formerly known as The Arc of Freeborn County is now known as LIFE Center of Freeborn County. LIFE stands for learning, inclusion, fun and empowerment.

Jessica Walters, program director for the organization, said about a year ago, the state chapter of Arc Minnesota changed the way it was operating, requiring that all local donations be channeled through the state office.

Programming would also change.

Walters said the state chapter would have had control over how the Freeborn County organization spent its money and conducted its programs. Board and members voted against joining the state chapter and to disaffiliate as a whole from Arc about a year ago.

The Arc has had a presence in Freeborn County for 64 years, she said.

The Freeborn County group voted earlier this year to rebrand and the new organization was formed. Its mission states, “LIFE Center welcomes, values, respects and supports people of all abilities. Our mission is to advocate passionately while compassionately delivering programs that expand opportunities, empower people and enrich lives while having fun.”

Becky Rognes, interim director for LIFE Center, said all funding will now be able to stay locally. For the near future all of the programming will stay the same.

Leaders are hoping to modernize some of the programs and bring in more younger members, through events such as family fun days and other activities. Walters said many people do not realize the facility serves all ages.

The renamed organization hosted an open house this spring.

(Source: Albert Lea Tribune)

Social workers join with police

A new program will embed mental health professionals within law enforcement agencies in Duluth and Carlton County.

The Human Development Center, a nonprofit that provides a variety of mental health services for adults and youth across the region, will supply the services of two full-time staff members, said CEO Ben Hatfield.

A psychiatric nurse will join the Duluth Police Department's existing Mental Health Unit, while a therapist will work with agencies throughout Carlton County.

“We want to try to do early intervention, avoid hospitalizations, avoid unnecessary incarceration and get

Opportunity Partners President & CEO Bill Schultz thanked supporters. A photo of the aftermath of the fire is shown behind him. staff member Doug Annett, who worked for the nonprofit for 23 years. Annett was instrumental in expanding the organization’s residential options for people with disabilities to include group homes, supported apartment programs and community living services.

people connected to services early,” Hatfield said. “Across the nation, we're seeing police reform and the need for mental health care. It's a great idea to try to address concerns and get people to the professionals before a crisis starts.”

The program is the latest in a series of efforts by local police to improve their response and outreach to people experiencing mental health issues, but it's a first-ofits-kind partnership with the behavioral health center.

Staff will be employed by HDC, but functionally work inside the departments, responding alongside officers and providing follow-up services to clients.

Duluth for several years has operated its Mental Health Unit, which currently includes two sworn officers and two embedded social workers funded by St. Louis County and the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment.

But Carlton County has not previously had the same resources available.

“We have reached out to Duluth to see what their position entails, but it’s going to look different here,” Sheriff Kelly Lake said. “We don’t have the population that Duluth has, so maybe we can respond to a wider variety of calls that don't necessarily involve an immediate crisis. We're hoping to build it to fit the needs of Carlton County. It's going to be a work in progress with a lot of tweaking as we go and we figure out what fits for us and what is most beneficial to our residents.”

(Source: Duluth News-Tribune)

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

RADIO TALKING BOOK Use an App for Radio Talking Book Radio Talking Book has phased out its longtime receivers. Enjoy programming anytime and anywhere on a hand-held mobile device, for either iOS or Android. Just visit the Apple App Store for iOS, or Google Play for Android, and download the Minnesota Radio Talking Book app. It’s quick, it’s easy, and provides a convenient way to tune in wherever and whenever.

Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available for loan through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. The catalog is at www.mnbtbl.org, click on the link Search the Library Catalog. Call the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library at 800-722-0550, Monday-Friday, 9 am - 4 pm CST for details. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books via an inter-library loan by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

To find more information about Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network events go to the Facebook site, Minnesota Radio Talking Book.

Audio information about the daily book listings is also on the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newsline. Register for the NFB Newsline by calling 651-539-1424.

The NFB-NEWSLINE service provides access to more than 500 magazines and newspapers, plus information on COVID-19 in the “Breaking News” section. To learn more, visit www.nfb.org/ programs-services/nfb-newsline.

The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming.

Many more programs and books are available.

Donate to the State Services for the Blind at mn.gov/deed/ssbdonate Listen to RTB’s live or archived programs online at www.mnssb.org/rtb Chautauqua* Monday – Friday 6 a.m.

Successful Aging, nonfiction by Daniel J. Levitin, 2020. Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin provides an enthusiastic review of research, old and new, into the means of extending life. Read by Lannois Neely.

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Dodge City, nonfiction by Tom Clavin, 2017.

Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson led the effort to establish frontier justice in Dodge City, Kansas, the most violent town in the American West.

Read by Stevie Ray. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 14. – V, L

Night Journey * Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Kingdom of the Blind, fiction by Louise Penny, 2018. Superintendent Gamache of the Quebec provincial police is suspended after a failed narcotic bust, then gets pulled into a murder when he’s named the executor for a stranger’s will. Read by Neil Bright. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 7. – V

Bookworm * Monday – Friday noon Akin, fiction by Emma Donoghue, 2019. When a retired professor plans a trip to France, he didn’t expect to bring his heretofore unknown great-nephew. Read by Tom Speich. Twelve broadcasts; begins Wed, June 16. – L The Writer’s Voice * Monday – Friday 1 p.m.

I Wrote This Book Because I Love You, nonfiction

by Tim Krieder, 2018. Humorist Tim Kreider reflects on his relationships with women and his 19-year-old cat. Read by Robb Empson. Eight broadcasts; begins Tue, June 14.

Miles Lord, nonfiction by Roberta Walburn, 2017. Minnesota’s Miles Lord rose from humble beginnings on the Iron Range to become one of America’s most memorable and powerful judges.

Read by Esmé Evans. Thirteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 28.

Choice Reading * Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Nevada Days, fiction by Bernardo Atxaga, 2017. A Basque family emigrates from Spain to a Nevada university town but contemplates returning home when violence strikes nearby. Read by Don Lee. Fourteen broadcasts; begins Tue, June 15.

Afternoon Report * Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Who Killed Civil Society?, nonfiction by Howard A. Husock, 2019. Though billions of tax dollars target social issues, our problems persist and grow. Researcher Howard Husock suggests a powerful strategy based on positive social norms. Read by Jack Rossmann. Seven

OPPORTUNITIES Conference

Speakers sought for summit Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) seeks speakers for the fourth annual AuSM Autistic Community Summit, to be held virtually on Sept.

18. The event centers autistics, allowing them to share wisdom they’ve gained through lived experiences. In the process, it builds leaders and advocates. AuSM is seeking autistic speakers to apply to present a breakout session during the virtual event. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to literature and arts from autistics; navigating and self-directing support services; managing interactions with medical providers; how to write a waiver; meaningful inclusion, especially for those with higher support needs; hiring and training staff; person-centered planning across the lifespan; autism and mental

health; autistic pride/self-acceptance; shutdowns and meltdowns; emotion regulation; masking; managing medical interactions; executive function and autism and intersectionality, including race, age, gender, sexuality, etc.

Assistance with the application and the opportunity to discuss other topics. To apply to present, visit www.ausm.org. Applications are due Friday, July 2, and will be reviewed by the Autistic Community Summit committee. Applicants will be notified by July 31. FFI: Zephyr James, AuSM’s Community Engagement Specialist, at 651-6471083 ext. 23 or e-mail zjames@ausm.org

Children & Families

PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers many useful free or lowcost workshops and other resources for families of children with any disabilities. Workshops are

Off the Shelf * Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The Rationing, fiction by Charles Wheelan, 2019. When an epidemic sweeps the US, the government’s supply of the cure is destroyed in a fire. Read by Michele Potts. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Thu, June 24. – L Potpourri * Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

Humans: A Brief History of How We F----d It All Up, nonfiction by Tom Phillips, 2019. History is filled with examples of how screw-ups have made serious impacts on our world. Read by Scott McKinney. Nine broadcasts; begins Wed, June 16. – L The Goodness Paradox, nonfiction by Richard Wrangham, 2019. Humans can be the nicest species – but also the nastiest. What occurred during evolution to account for this? Read by Parichay Rudina. 16 broadcasts; begins Tue, June 29.

Good Night Owl * Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

The Girl on the Train, fiction by Paula Hawkins, 2015. Rachel, a commuter, pays attention to a man and woman she sees each day from the train window. One day the woman disappears, and Rachel is compelled to find out why. Read

by Myrna Smith. Twelve broadcasts; begins Mon, June 7. - L The Best Kind of People, fiction by Zoe Whittall, 2018. George and Joan Woodbury are professionals living in an affluent suburb.

Then George is accused of sexual misconduct by students at his daughter’s school. Read by online and livestreamed at this time. Advance registration is required for all workshops. At least 48 hours’ notice is needed for interpretation.

Check out PACER’s website and link to the newsletter of statewide workshops that allows participants to pick and choose sessions designed for their needs.

The Keys to Job Success: Tools to Support Executive Function is 2-3:15 p.m. Wed, June 9.

The workshop will explore technology to support executive function at work. Topics will include managing time, staying organized, completing tasks, and maintaining focus. Demonstrations will include devices and mobile apps.

Tech for Girls Club: Oil Spill Clean-up Challenge is 10-11 a.m. Sat, June 19. Join the virtual Tech for Girls workshop to be an environmental engineer. Use household items to create an oil spill and experiment with different methods for cleaning it up. FFI: PACER, 952-8389000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

Pg 10

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

Abbreviations V – violent content R – racial epithets L – strong language S – sexual situation G – gory descriptions Therese Murray. Twelve broadcasts; begins Wed, June 23. – L, S RTB After Hours * Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Everything Under, fiction by Daisy Johnson, 2018.

A British woman locates her eccentric elderly mother, who abandoned her when she was 16 and now suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Read

by Myrna Smith. Eight broadcasts; begins Tue, June 8. – L, S Shuggie Bain, fiction by Douglas Stuart, 2020. Hugh “Shuggie” Bain spends his 1980s childhood in public housing in Scotland.

Economics and politics have put people out of work, while a drug epidemic lingers. Through it all Shuggie protects his mother Agnes, while trying to fill the role of a typical boy. Read by Tom Speich. Sixteen broadcasts; begins Mon, June 21. – S, L, V Weekend Program Books Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents Things Worth Keeping by Christine Harold (L), read by Beverly Burchett.

Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents American Gospel

by Lin Enger (L), read by Scott McKinney.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents The Other, Better Me by Antony John, read by Pat Muir; followed by Expelled by James Patterson and Emily Raymond, read by John Mandeville.

Poetic Reflections, noon Sat, presents HalfHazard by Kristen Tracy, read by Holly Sylvester; followed by The Half-Finished Heaven by Tomas Transtromer, read by Jess Banks.

The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents Minnesota 1918 by Curt Brown, read by Don Lee; followed

by November’s Fury by Michael Schumacher, read by Chris Colestock.

Sign up for camp PACER Center offers EX.I.T.E. Camp, EXploring Interests in Technology and Engineering, for middle school girls. The five-day camp is August is for girls with disabilities who are entering grades 6-9 in the fall. Camp is free and will be held virtually, but participants need to register

by Sat, June 11. Do amazing experiments, make friends that will last a lifetime, discover how science, technology, engineering and math can be cool and exciting. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

Info & Assistance

Minnesota STAR program The equipment lending library has specific procedures and only no-contact loans are offered. All equipment is tested and sanitized prior to shipping. STAR staff wears proper PPE (personal protective equipment) during the OPPORTUNITIES To page 11

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

ENJOY!

Off Leash "The Time Is" (2018/19)

Want to perform? Here is your chance!

Off-Kilter, a new community program of Off-Leash Area, wants to highlight and support performance work by artists with disabilities. A deadline to submit proposals is coming up.

Artists are sought to present work at the Off-Kilter Cabaret Aug. 19, 20 and 22 in the outdoor rail court at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis. The performance site is at the Mill City Farmers’ Market, next to the Guthrie Theater.

It will feature an accessible stage with full lighting, sound and projection capability, and retain the steampunk vibe of the reclaimed industrial site. The event includes accessibility accommodations such as sign language interpreting, captioning and audio description, as well as current protocols following Centers for Disease Control and state COVID-19 guidelines such as physically distanced seating, masks, etc.

Five to 10-minute pieces are sought, by artists with disabilities. The theme is “organ recital” and deadline is Monday, June 14. Seven artists or groups will be selected. Go to www. offleasharea.org/off-kilter.

“We hope to provoke artists to propose risky, unapologetic, and entertaining performances, using their body organs and systems as inspiration,” said Jennifer Ilse, OffLeash Area co-artistic director Jennifer Ilse. The call for proposals will be available May 20 on the Off-Leash Area website, Off-Leash Area, under Ilse and co-artistic director Paul Herwig, has a history of more than 20 years of presenting original interdisciplinary performance work.

ADA 31st Anniversary: Celebrating Resilience!

The 2021 Minnesota Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) celebration is noon1:30 p.m. Mon July 26. Commemorate 31 years of the ADA at the free, online celebration, with the theme of resilience.

Registration deadline is Sun, July 25.

Register at http://bit.ly/ada-31.

OPPORTUNITIES

From page 10 process. Device loans continue to be for 30 days. After equipment is returned to STAR it is quarantined for five days. After the quarantine period equipment is once again sanitized, inspected and tested. Virtual demonstrations are done on as needed. Information and assistance services continue as usual. FFI: 651-201-2640, star.program@state.mn.us Online course is updated The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities has updated and revised its popular Partners in Making Your Case online course. Partners in Making Your Case introduces learners to the important role advocacy plays in changing public policies that affect people with developmental disabilities.

The course reinforces that everyone, including people with developmental disabilities, has the right to make their case to policymakers.

The course explores key social movements that helped to further the rights of people with developmental disabilities, how public policy is made at the local, state and federal levels and key elements of the advocacy process. It reinforces the connection between personal stories and systems change, and introduces ways to make your case in writing and in person. The course also introduces ways you can build and maintain momentum by partnering with others who share a similar vision. The course is free and takes approximately four hours to complete. FFI: https://partnersonlinecourses.com/partners-inmaking-your-case/ Call the help desk The Arc Minnesota Help Desk offers a direct link to information an assistance. call and an Arc Minnesota staff member will answer. Callers can discuss a personal situation goals, options, and a way forward. If staff is unable to help with a situation directly, callers will be connected with a partner agency. If no one can take a call, leave a message for a call back. The help desk is presented as a way to be helpful and equitable.

The 90-minute virtual event will feature informative, engaging and entertaining speakers and performances from across Minnesota. Duluth Mayor Emily Larson will share ways the Zenith City is working to ensure greater accessibility for all its residents and visitors.

Much focus will be on the COVID-19 pandemic. NAMI Minnesota Executive The public can still use the website’s Ask an Advocate form or use the Frequently Asked Questions to quickly find resources. FFI: 952-9201480, www.arcminnesota.org Online mental health support NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers a variety of free online peer support groups for adults and young adults living with a mental illness, their families, friends, spouses/ partners, as well as parents of children and teens.

Led by trained peer facilitators, the support groups help individuals and families learn coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. The groups are specifically for those individuals suggested by the group’s title. For example, Family Support Group is only for family members and NAMI Connection is only for those who live with a mental illness and are over 18 years old, etc. Find a complete listing of group meetings and how to join in by going to namimn. org and clicking on “Support Groups”. FFI: https://namimn.org/support/nami-minnesotasupport-groups/.

Learn about programs The Minnesota STAR Program is now partnering with the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library (MBTBL) in spreading the word about the braille and talking book program to people who are eligible, including those who are blind or have low vision. The library offers reading materials in a variety of formats: in braille, audio or large print format, mailed to patrons for free, or instantly downloadable online or through a mobile app.

The program now has an institution account with MBTBL and can assist people in registering for these free library services. FFI: 651-201-2640, star. program@state.mn.us Classes offered online NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has set up a wide variety of free online mental health classes. Choices include Hope for Recovery, Transitions, Ending the Silence, Understanding Early Episode Psychosis for Families, In Our Own Voice, Family to Family, Positive Psychology, Creating Caring

Director Sue Abderholden will reflect on ways the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted people with disabilities and the resilience shown by so many. Todd Gragel, responsible for ADA Design & Construction Guidance with the MN Department of Transportation, will share ADA improvements on our state highways.

Great Lakes ADA Center Project Manager Peter Berg will discuss the transformation to teleworking as a vital accessibility accommodation during the pandemic.

Disability lead for the COVID-19 Community Coordinators Initiative Mai Thor will share the state's efforts to reach people with disabilities during the pandemic.

Event attendees will be treated to performances by acclaimed jazz guitarist and recording artist Sam Miltich and Duluthbased BOLD-choice Theatre Company.

ARC Northland's Adult and Family Services Manager Meredith Kujala will serve as event emcee.

ASL and CART services will be provided.

Portions will be audio described. To request additional accommodations, contact Cindy Tarshish at 651-603-2015, 1-888-630-9793, MN Relay 711, or cindyt@mcil-mn.org.

Deadline for accommodation requests is July 12. FFI: CelebrateADAMN.com and on Facebook at Celebrate ADAMN. Tapemark golfing fun The annual Tapemark Minnesota PGA Pro-Am Charity Golf Tournament is Fri, June 11 – Sun, June 13. Funds raised by the tournament benefit Minnesota children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, by supporting the work of Arc Minnesota, Living Well Disability Services, ProAct and PGA Reach. The event has provided more than $7.6 million dollars to these organizations in its 48-year history. Volunteers are needed to help at the tournament. Volunteers can work in a safe and socially distant way. FFI: https:// arcminnesota.org/ Guthrie hosts benefit Guthrie Theater presents announced a virtual benefit performance at 7 p.m. Fri, June 25, featuring a concert by Tony and Grammy winner Leslie Odom, Jr. with local actor Regina Marie Williams as emcee.

The one-hour, livestreamed program will include three concert sets by Odom Communities, a suicide prevention class called QPR – Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities and many more. The classes are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers, and also the general public. Find a complete listing of these classes and how to join in by going to namimn. org and clicking on “Classes” or go straight to https://namimn.org/education-public-awareness/ classes/scheduled/ Centers for independent living statewide Minnesota centers for independent living statewide have gone to a mix of operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Typically centers offer an array of classes, training programs and other services tied to independent living. Centers that proving PCA, homemaker and other staffing for clients continue to do that in person. But most services aren’t provide at facilities. Facilities aren’t open to the public at all or on a limited basis, varying by center. Check with a local center before going in. FFI: www.macil.org/ Vision loss group offers activities Vision Loss Resources has a new audio activities line. To listen to the audio version of the calendar, call 612-235-3654. The calendar is also available on the website. Ask about virtual support groups, events, distance learning and no-contact grocery shopping and reading support. FFI: 612-8433439, 612-871-2222, info@visionlossresources.org

Volunteer Help with volunteers The St. Cloud Area Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is looking for a volunteer facilitator. More than 150 participants need a leader to organize and conduct our meetings (virtual and soon in-person meetings). Independent Lifestyles, the supporting organization, will continue to work with the facilitator to recruit guest speakers, coordinate sponsorships, house the members’ library, and solicit free materials. FFI: Pam, 320529-9000, pamt@independentlifestyles.org

Pg 11

of Hamilton fame: a 15th anniversary celebration of the Guthrie’s home on the Mississippi River, and special giving opportunities. Proceeds will help support the Guthrie as it prepares to reopen and resume performances onstage this fall.

Attending the virtual benefit is free, but registration is required. ASL interpretation, audio description and closed captioning available. FFI: www.guthrietheater.org/benefit Open Flow Forum The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates Thu, June 3, July 1 and Aug. 5. Virtually join artists with disabilities and supporters to share visual art, writing, music, theater and artistic efforts or disability concerns. Facilitators are Tara Innmon, Kip Shane and Springboard for the Arts. The gatherings are fully accessible. Anyone needing special accommodations should contact Andy Sturdevant at host organization Springboard for the Arts as funding is available for those needs. FFI: 651-2940907, resources@springboardforthearts. org. FFI: 651-294-0907, resources@ springboardforthearts.org Full Circle series ends Full Circle Theater wraps up its 2021 Spring Virtual Series with Sharing Stories on Issues of Disability and Theater, 7 p.m. Fri, June 25 and 7 p.m. Sat, June 26. Disabled artists will perform and discussing issues of intersectionality of communities of color and disabilities, equitable casting, accessible/inclusive rehearsal/performance spaces. English closed captioning and ASL Interpretation

by Rosalinda Estrada-Alvarez. The event features Nathan R. Stenberg, Quinci Bachman, Fern Naomi Renville and Houa Moua; moderated by Shelia Bland. FFI: www.fullcircletheatermn.org Less to Enjoy!

Restrictions have eased in the entertainment world, so look for changes.

Many of the museums, arts and theater groups that typically have listings in the Access Press Enjoy! calendar have moved to online services or are offering in-person services with social distancing and safety measures. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans. Check to see what classes and performances

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June 2021 Volume 32, Number 6

Pg 12

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