September 2021 Edition - Access Press

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TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766

Volume 32, Number 9

September 2021

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More tests are on tap for schools

TESTS To page 4

- Ron Franke

NEWS DIGEST

RAMSEY COUNTY

Election judges worked behind plexiglas in 2020.

Working as an election judge a rewarding means of service Election judges perform an important community service. People with disabilities shouldn’t rule out serving as election judges.

Many counties and cities seek judges, especially during state election and presidential years. 2021 might be a year for potential volunteers throughout Minnesota to check out their polling places in person while voting. If a head judge isn’t busy it’s a good chance to ask a few questions and submit one’s name for future consideration.

Access Press is partnering with Ramsey County Elections to publicize voting November 2, and to spotlight how

people with disabilities can get involved in elections. David Triplett, Ramsey County Elections Manager, spoke about the opportunities people with disabilities have as election judges.

That opportunity may be in the future.

Ramsey County already has enough judges for the 2021 election, Triplett said.

He encourages people with disabilities to look into opportunities for future years in Ramsey County and for people elsewhere in Minnesota to check their home counties for needs this fall. Election judges work in their home counties.

It was “all hands on deck” for the 2020 ELECTION To page 5

Refugees are honored Page 7 Rise marks 50 years Page 2 Subminimum wages unfair Page 4 Social Security changes Page 8 Made in the Shade Page 11

COVID-19 concerns scuttle council's state fair booth

by Jane McClure The 2021 Minnesota State Fair was missing a popular stop for Minnesotans with disabilities. The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) decided August 11 to boycott the fair, raising issues with a lack of state mandates on masking and other measures to control the spread of COVID-19.

The council released a strongly worded statement on what it seems as the lack of pandemic protocols and the public disregard and marginalization for people with disabilities caused by that laxity.

“We believe that this letter can serve as a wake-up call to our leaders across government and the leadership of the State Fair that it is never too late to do the right thing and that society can and must do better. We need to implement stronger vaccine, masking, and crowd requirements at the State Fair,” the letter stated.

Minnesotans with disabilities on social media boards expressed discomfort with attending the 2021 fair, citing the crowds

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September began with a rising number of COVID-19 cases and families wary of sending children back to school. The ongoing pandemic creates more uncertainty for families.

Children younger than age 12 cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 and tens of thousands of children around the nation have been sickened by the virus.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) August 17 announced updates to Minnesota’s statewide education testing program.

Schools will now have a variety of testing options available to them as they work to develop local testing programs to keep students and staff healthy, safe and in their classrooms. MDE will also provide grants to support testing efforts in schools.

Education Commissioner Heather Mueller and Health Commissioner Jan Malcom announced the options.

“Getting people vaccinated as soon as possible is critical for our long-term success against COVID-19,” Malcolm said. “Meanwhile, for those who are not yet vaccinated, regular screening testing is an important tool to know they are healthy, get the care they need if they are sick, and prevent the spread of the virus to others. Regular testing, along with masking and the other layers of prevention, gives our schools, students, families and educators the best chance of getting the school year off to a successful and healthy start.”

Based on current levels of community spread across Minnesota, the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and MDH recommend that all unvaccinated school-age children and school staff get tested for COVID-19 at least weekly throughout the school year.

Unvaccinated children involved in extracurricular activities or sports should be tested more frequently. Vaccinated students and school staff should get tested if they are experiencing symptoms or are exposed to someone who has COVID-19. Testing should be used in addition to other layered prevention strategies as outlined in best practices recommendations.

Offering testing in schools is strongly recommended given the rise in Delta variant cases. This school year, schools will have access to different types of tests. Districts, charter schools, tribal schools, and nonpublic schools will be able to assess which tests work best for their school community and have autonomy in developing their testing programs.

“We must use every available tool to keep our students in classrooms because we know that is best for their well-being and academic success,” said Mueller. “We stand ready to partner with and support our school leaders across the state as they develop local COVID-19 testing plans that keep our students, staff and families healthy and

I believe that people with disabilities and able-bodied people alike are often trapped by their own fears.

Many groups are sitting out the 2021 state fair. and lack of safety measures. The option is to stay home. The letter stated, “The implicit message that Minnesotans with disabilities are asked not to attend is an unacceptable alternative.”

The council for years has had a large presence in the fair’s Education Building.

Access Press thanks this month's issue sponsor!

Some groups and organizations have given up their fair booths and joined forces with the council. Dozens of disability service organizations team up with the state council to provide informational materials STATE FAIR To page 4

September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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We are all given the right to vote and competency is determined by the court. As far as I'm concerned, if someone denies another family member the right, they are the one that is swaying the vote.

Editor’s note: Access Press is working with Ramsey County on an effort to get information out about elections and voting. In that spirit, we go through the many newspapers atop Tim’s Desk so that we can share past thoughts on elections and voting from retired Executive Director Tim Benjamin, Access Press has a long history of urging Minnesotans with disabilities to educate themselves on local, state and national election issues, and to learn about and vote for the candidates of their choice at all levels. The paper does not endorse candidates and ballot questions.

Instead Access Press offers advice to get ballots to voters and to help Minnesota’s disability community vote for the people and issues of their personal choice.

It is important for Minnesotans with disabilities to know how to early vote, cast a ballot with an agent or understand potentially complex guardianship issues.

This column excerpt is from March 2020: Another topic, but one that relates back to all of the [crises of 2020] is our ability to vote. We all have that ability, and it is our responsibility, too. …Spend the time you need to identify the best candidates, people who will be able to lead us through the continuing problems to come. I do believe we are

going to continue to see problems beyond anything most of us have ever seen. We need someone who will take us in the right direction, who is willing to admit mistakes and demonstrate wisdom in addressing our common problems. So vote. Our votes matter and our voices matter if we want to solve problems and create a better future. ∑∑∑ Another familiar topic is that of the power of the disability community at the ballot box, which he wrote about in March 2008. Too many people don’t realize the potential voting bloc the disability community would provide.

I wonder when all the candidates will recognize the size of the disability community and its voting power. Did you know that there are approximately 325,000 potential voters with disabilities in Minnesota? That’s huge! So tell your candidates what you want and then go out yourself and vote. No excuses! It's easy to learn about the candidates and their positions, even from their flyers arriving in your mailbox. On the flyer is usually a phone number to call. If the person who answers the phone is unable to answer your questions or concerns adequately, ask the volunteer to have the candidate call you directly. You'd be surprised how many of them will make

the call for just one potential vote.

And of course that one vote—yours—is the most important one. ∑∑∑ Guardianship has also been a longtime focus of his. Benjamin has always opined strongly about guardianship, noting in 2009: It’s rather disheartening that in this era that the parent of a developmentally disabled individual would not allow their son or daughter to vote. And it’s of special concern when the parent is not allowing their adult child to vote when the adult child is voting for the opposing candidate.

And the parent is saying that the adult child has been swayed to vote for the opposing candidate because of undue influence by group home employees.

We are all given the right to vote and competency is determined by the court.

As far as I’m concerned, if someone denies another family member the right, they are the one that is swaying the vote.

I wonder if the family member would allow the other family member to vote if they were voting for the same candidate.

Sometimes I wonder, when listening to some of the advertising that political candidates put on the air this fall, if they think in general that the public is not competent to understand the issues in detail. Maybe there’s been too much judgment of other’s peoples’ competence

in most elections. ∑∑∑ He also focused closely on law changes to guardianship, both in his column and in news articles. In 2004 Benjamin pointed out the changes in guardianship law in the early 2000s,citing potential conflicts between state law and what the state constitution said, and the many conflicts inherent in someone working to restore the right to vote. ∑∑∑ But there have been opportunities for a sense of humor with elections coverage.

Benjamin and the staff took a wry approach to the 2004 elections: T’was days after elections, not a recount in sight. What will happen now?

This is our plight. Alas, the voting is all done; the power passed to those who won. No more political ads via TV or mail — back to good ol’ materialistic temptations and sales. But, what we shall we discuss, around the watercooler we sit? Probably the weather and that same ol’ bull… ”WAIT!” the pundit proclaimed, “there’s wrap-up, analysis, and plenty of blame! Voter turnout, policy change, and balance of power; that could keep us busy for countless more hours!

HISTORY NOTE

Rise looks back at its early years, and key people who are here One of the many Minnesota disability service organizations celebrating a 50-year anniversary in 2021 is Rise.

Incorporated in 1971, Rise supports people who have disabilities and other barriers. The nonprofit offers clients the greatest possible level of community integration and a wide range of programming choices.

As 50 years are celebrated, two remarkable things stand out.

Rise had four clients when its doors opened in August 1971 - Ted Brown, Kathleen Schuldt, Bruce Johnson and Robert Lehn. Brown was 19 years old and fresh out of school. He was ready to work. Now at nearly 70 years old, Brown is Rise’s “senior” client and the only living member of the original four.

Over the years Brown has worked for dozens of Twin Cities businesses, including Federal Premium Ammunition, a meditation center, Shapco, Red Lobster, Liberty Carton and Faribault Foods. As

an experienced Rise worker, Brown said he enjoys giving new employees advice. “[I tell them to] stay out of trouble, keep working hard and earn a paycheck to save up money to get something very, very important!” he said. Brown worked parttime until the pandemic struck in 2020.

He is also an accomplished musician who has played keyboard and sang with the band, the Windjammers, for many years. His musical highlight and thrill of a lifetime was performing in 1989 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. with Very Special Arts.

What’s also remarkable is that Rise cofounder Chester Tollefson is still here to share memories of the nonprofit’s start. “[It took] a little concern and a little cooperation. Here we are 50 years later and Rise is still operating,” he said.

Tollefson is 98 years old.

Rise began as the family sought a better future for son and brother Loring. Loring was born with intellectual disabilities.

When Loring was 16 years old, Chester Tollefson and his wife Gladys started talking about Loring’s future. They wanted him to have positive experiences after high school and were concerned by the absence of options other than Minnesota’s institutional system, which at that time was where many disabled people lived isolated from family, friends and opportunities.

“Loring was a young person who loved to laugh and smile and he loved people.

He was stubborn and determined, but he loved to have fun,” his sister Joyce Tollefson-Capp said. “As parents, my mom and dad just wanted a safe place for Loring to be. And Rise provided that. Not only for him, but for multiple generations.”

“There was the institution at Cambridge, but we thought Loring was better physically than to be involved in Cambridge, just sitting and doing nothing. I thought, ‘There’s things he can do,’” said Chester Tollefson.

Anoka County community leaders worked with the family to create an alternative. With their cooperation Rise opened in Spring Lake Park on August 2, 1971.

“He enjoyed having a place to go to work and meet his friends. He just loved the place. It was part of his home,” Chester Tollefson said of Rise.

Loring Tollefson died in 2002. His mother Gladys died in 2013. But the foundation they and other set helped Rise to a successful future.

Read about upcoming special events and find the anniversary videos at https:// rise.org/special-events/ 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.

Website: accesspress.org email: access@accesspress.org phone: 651-644-2133 Executive Director.......................................................................................................................................Holly Anderson, 612-384-6433 Managing Editor...................................................................................................................................................................... Jane McClure Advertising Sales..............................................................................................................................................Staci Reay, 218-779-1534 Board of Directors.............Mohamed Alfash, John Clark, Shannah Mulvihill, Walt Seibert, Joel Ulland, Kay Willshire Columnist/Staff Writer................................... Tim Benjamin Production............................................................ In-Fin Tuan

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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CHARLIE SMITH AWARD DETAILS FORTHCOMING ISSUE SPONSOR | MRCI

Direct Support Professionals provide resolute service in changing times One week each year we have the opportunity to celebrate Direct Support Professionals (DSP). During the week of September 12, 2021, we recognize the critical role that DSPs play in the lives of each and every Home and Community Based Services program participant.

DSPs deserve recognition for all they do throughout the year; without them this level of care would be impossible. “MRCI is so grateful for the DSPs supporting oaur clients” says Samantha Frederick, Director of CDS at MRCI. “Their time, dedication, and advocacy mean the world to the people they help every day.” The past two years have been full of challenges and changes for the DSP workforce, and they have remained steadfast in providing care for the people who count on them.

One of the past year’s biggest questions surrounding DSPs/PCAs is what impact the transition to Community First Services and Supports (CFSS) is going to have on their role? As many are already aware, the programs of PCA, both Choice and Traditional, as well as Consumer Support Grant (CSG) will be transitioning to CFSS at the end of 2021.

For workers, CFSS will largely resemble the programs that they are used to with

xxxxxx a few changes. Participants in CFSS will still have the option to select, hire, train, and manage their own employees to meet their assessed needs.

People currently receiving care through the PCA Choice program will find greater flexibility in who they are able hire to provide care under CFSS. Except for a period of emergency legislation that

ended in February 2021, a spouse was not able to provide PCA services to their partner nor was a parent of a minor participant. Unlike PCA Choice, a CFSS worker can be a provide care for their spouse or be a paid parent of a minor.

Individuals using programs like CFSS have unique skills and abilities which should not limit their work possibilities,

under CFSS a participant can also be a worker for others who utilize the CFSS program.

While there are still several unknowns in the transition to CFSS, one thing is for sure: the care provided by DSPs will continue to be vital for individuals using these programs. As things change, MRCI will be here to help our clients, families and workers navigate CFSS and any other changes that come their way.

Direct Support Professionals are heroes to each person they support.

We want to express our heartfelt appreciation for all that you do each and every day. Happy DSP Appreciation Week from all of us at MRCI Client Directed Services!

Are you looking for rewarding career opportunities? MRCI can help meet your needs. Visit https://www.mrcicds. org/ to learn more about our careers throughout the state.

WELCOMES ISSUE SPONSORS Call us at 651-644-2133 today Or email access@accesspress.org

September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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FROM OUR COMMUNITY Subminimum wages are a violation of our human rights, abuse of workers • Pay people livable wages so they can escape the cycle of poverty perpetuated by our current service system.

• Promote customized jobs that build on each individual’s unique talents and interests.

• Help people build careers in inclusive workplaces, alongside others who do and do not have disabilities; and • Create innovative and creative partnerships with Minnesota’s business community Fostering collaborative relationships with business owners large and small across the state will be critical. When people who have disabilities are included as part a rich, diverse workforce, the return on investment is real.

Accenture, Disability:IN, and the American Association of People with Disabilities found that companies leading in disability employment and inclusion had, on average, twice the net income, 28% higher revenue, and 30% higher profit margins over a four-year period.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

by Andrea Zuber CEO, The Arc Minnesota The Arc Minnesota celebrates the establishment of a task force to phase out subminimum wage.

The practice of paying people less than minimum wage goes against our core mission to promote and protect the human rights of individuals who have disabilities, so we were honored to advocate alongside leaders in Minnesota’s disability justice movement who worked to make this happen.

ALL individuals who have disabilities—no matter their disability type and support needs—deserve the opportunity Andrea Zuber to explore, find, and keep jobs that provide personal fulfillment and help build wealth. To do so, we must:

These returns should be especially compelling for the many business owners currently striving to fill gaps in their workforce, who should build on the unique skills of people who have disabilities for their talent pool.

It is time to acknowledge and respect people who have disabilities for their many contributions to our workforce, economy and society as a whole.

Furthermore, we must honor their wholeness and inherent value. At The Arc, we are working to build a Movement that raises awareness about the strength, resilience, and capacity of people who have disabilities.

Disability is part of the rich diversity of human experience, in which many people find their power—not in spite of it.

Phasing out subminimum wages and promoting employment of people who have disabilities is just the beginning, and must be layered within the broader effort to honor disability identity, build belonging in community, advance social change, and realize disability justice.

Return to classroom bringing challenges for children and their families COVID-19 protocols are not the only thing being watched carefully by families with children with disabilities and school personnel. More than 50 people were on an August 19 call to discuss assistance for special education students returning to schools. State health and education officials and Minnesota Disability Law Center representatives explained what to expect.

The overriding message? Everyone wants students to be back in school. But that has to be done in a way that is safe and meets federal and state guidelines. Doing that in the face of the Delta variant, which is easily transmitted, is a huge worry.

The return also must be done in a way that helps special education students who may have lost skills or regressed as a result of the pandemic. While some students thrived with distance learning, others struggled.

A big worry for many families is how to make up for lost educational opportunities, through the recovery education plans being put into place.

Maren Hulden, an attorney with Minnesota Disability Law Center and a leader in the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, reviewed legislation passed during the recent special session as part of the education omnibus bill. It was a response to families whose children with disabilities really faced challenges during the pandemic.

Distance learning for most students began in spring 2020 and continued through the 2020-2021 academic year. While learning at home made things easier for

STATE FAIR From page 1

as well as volunteers for the area.

Cancellation of the 2020 fair left many Minnesotans without a one-stop shop for information on a wide range of disabilities and services.

But with too many uncertainties about the COVID-19 pandemic and the aggressive Delta variant raising alarms, council leadership made the decision to not have the fair booth. Instead, council staff kept busy mailing out materials including posters and brochures.

A letter announced the decision. “Throughout the summer, we looked to government leadership and State Fair leadership to create a safe and welcoming environment for Minnesotans with disabilities and aging Minnesotans. Unfortunately, our leaders have not stepped up to require masks, vaccines, or crowd limits at the State Fair. Our state has not reached a level of vaccinations that creates herd immunity. We are currently experiencing another COVID-19 wave due to the Delta variant (including outbreaks at many other fairs around the state). Minnesota is dangerously close to crossing the 5.0 percent positivity rate, which the (Centers for Disease Control) would label as “substantial spread.”

The council also took issue with fellow Minnesotans who refuse to mask up and take other safety precautions.

Many people with disabilities, their family members and caregivers have spent the past 18-plus months in isolation. Groups like Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota and others had to advocate for people with disabilities to get on the list for vaccines in the spring.

“In their desire to return to normal, Minnesotans have resisted masking. Some have resisted vaccinations, despite the disproportionate effect that COVID-19 has

TESTS

From page 1 safe.”

Testing at school makes access to tests more equitable, which is one of the many reasons the State of Minnesota encourages all schools to create their own testing program and have helped provide the resources to do so.

Schools will be able to choose from an array of tests to create their own testing programs. Schools can also take

some students, other students struggled without their needed supports and services. A huge concern was for how students would make up for what was lost.

The intent became to have school districts reach out to families of students who have disabilities, school leaders and others with a stake in the issue. The key takeaway is that school districts must reach out to families of students who have an individualized education plan (IEP) to invite them to an IEP meeting.

The meeting should be no later than December 1.

The purpose of the meeting is to determine whether special education services and supports are needed to address the student's lack of progress on IEP goals or in the general education curriculum or loss of learning and skills -- or skills due to disruptions related to the on Minnesotans with disabilities and aging Minnesotans.

By not creating a safe place for all Minnesotans to gather, MCD’s presence at the State Fair this year would reinforce the message to society that the lives of people with disabilities are less important.”

The lack of safety protocols for the fair was called out. “… others have attempted to frame this issue as freedom from vaccines or masks rather than as a right for Minnesotans with disabilities to be healthy and alive.

MCD cannot endorse the decision to make masking optional at the State Fair. We cannot support the refusal to make hard decisions that will upset some but likely save many. People with disabilities are rarely at the front of social conversations about right and wrong, equality and rights. This lack of action continues the trend of deprioritizing marginalized communities. These policies, or lack of policies, appear to be overlooking Minnesotans with disabilities and other marginalized communities, making people’s health a secondary priority. This lack of leadership and policies does not represent our state’s diverse racial, ethnic, aging, or disability communities – all of which have higher risks from COVID-19.”

The letter was signed by Nikki Villavicencio, chair, Ramsey County and Trent Dilks, vice chair, Stearns County. Other council members supported the letter. the council advises the government and state lawmakers on policy issues.

The council also has a long history of working with fair officials on access issues, but wasn’t able to have an impact on the fair’s safety plan.

What concerned that the council as that the state has had several COVID-19 outbreaks since early August, as festivals and fairs have resumed.

The September issue of Access Press went to press before the fair began. As of newspaper deadline, fair

advantage of “hot spot testing: to work with local public health or MDH to request a temporary testing location in response to local outbreaks.

Grants to support COVID-19 testing in schools will be made available through MDE. Every school district, charter school, tribal school and nonpublic school offering a testing program is eligible for a grant. Grant money can be used to fund staff to support, administer, or execute testing, or to purchase tests through a vendor.

COVID-19 pandemic.

After a meeting the IEP team decides if more services and supports would be necessary for the child to address disruptions. The team then gets to decide what those services are and when -- so the what, when and how of how those services should be provided, said Hulden.

She explained that students could benefit from various services and supports, including changes to an IEP plan.

There also could be as focus on mental health needs that have emerged during the pandemic.

An array of potential means of assistance could be considered as the IEP teams weighs many issues. The loss of skills and regression have been key concerns for many families. Hulden noted that each family’s situation is unique, calling for thoughtful approaches to help.

A lot of detail in how the work unfolds is in the hands of initial school districts. That leads to questions about the resources available in smaller school districts, and how those resources can be found. Hulden gave the example of a student needing speech therapy. A small school may have to bring in a speech therapist if one is not on staff. Or a unique tutoring program may have to be set up, to help a child progress through the education curriculum.

The Minnesota Department of Education has many links to special education programs and services, including links to the pandemic-related efforts. Go to https://education.mn.gov/mde/dse/sped/

officials weren’t requiring masks or proof of vaccination for attendees. Nor were attendance caps to be imposed.

As many as 100 regular groups and vendors also cut back or in some cases including WCCO Radio, pulled out entirely.

The fair draws about two million people each year.

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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Many Minnesotans will be voting on an array of local candidates and ballot questions November 2. While not every community in the state will have an election, many are gearing for the big day.

Odd-numbered years typically have fewer names on the ballot. The core cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, will be electing mayors, as will communities large and small. Many will be casting ballots for school board members, city council members, park boards and other bodies.

Some will have ballot questions.

Many people like voting on the day of the election, going in to cast a ballot in person. For some people with disabilities, early voting is a better option. Early voting was especially popular last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases spike, many people may consider that option again for 2021.

Early voting, long known as absentee voting, allows for ballots to be cast before an election. Minnesota has streamlined the process. Early voting starts 46 days before the election. This year early voting starts Friday, September 17.

Early votes can be cast by mail or in person. All Minnesota voters have at least one location where they can vote early in person with an absentee ballot.

County election offices offer early voting.

Some communities may offer additional locations.

For most elections, absentee voting locations must be open during normal business hours starting 46 days before the election. In addition, locations offering absentee ballots for federal, state or county elections must be open these days and times:

ELECTION From page 1

presidential election and many election judges continued on throughout the state.

“If we know about a disability, we can provide accommodations for judges,” Triplett said. Ramsey County has judges with different disabilities and is able to provide an array of accommodations.

Judges fill a variety of roles. Head judges oversee a precinct and make sure everything runs smoothly. Registration judges help people register to vote at the polls.

Other judges assist voters when they sign in, give them ballots in exchange for ballot receipts and perform other tasks.

Some judges are trained to assist voters with disabilities in getting their ballots casts.

All judges keep a sharp eye on the polling place to make sure procedures are followed and that there is not improper influence of voters.

Prospective election judges must be eligible to vote in Minnesota and able to read, write and speak English. Students 16 and 17 years old can be election judge trainees. Triplett said the student judge option is a great way for young people to get involved and serve their communities.

“It’s something that is a fairly new option and it’s good opportunity for young people.”

Student election judges can work as election judge trainees, receive training and be paid for their work. It’s a great way to learn about elections and voting.

Students cannot work past 10 p.m. they are assigned the same duties as other judges, with the exception of tasks requiring party affiliation. Students will need to attend and complete the same training as other judges.

To qualify, students must be 16 or 17 on or before Election Day, be a U.S. citizen in good academic standing at a Minnesota high school (or home schooled), and get permission from parents and school.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, there are restrictions on having relatives serve together as election judges. A relative is defined as a spouse, parent, stepparent, child, stepchild, sibling or stepsibling. Relatives cannot serve together in the same precinct at the same time. In addition, relatives of a candidate, and anyone who temporarily or permanently lives in the same house as a candidate, cannot serve in the precinct

RAMSEY COUNTY

Early voting helps Minnesotans avoid the rush, stay safe as ballots cast

A polll worker waiting to greet voters. Early voting means skipping the polls.

• The last Saturday before Election Day (10 a.m. — 3 p.m.)

• The day before Election Day until 5 p.m.

Some local jurisdictions may provide additional absentee voting days or hours beyond the above required days and times.

Call your jurisdiction for more information.

The added times and dates don’t apply in communities where only school board elections are on the ballot.

Early ballots can also be mailed to voters.

Or in some cases, an agent can pick up and deliver a ballot to a voter, and then return it to the election office. Agent delivery is an option for some people with disabilities.

To qualify for agent delivery, the voter must live in a nursing home, assisted living facility, residential treatment center, group home, battered women's shelter or be hospitalized or unable to go to the polling place due to incapacitating health reasons

where the candidate is on the ballot.

Candidates cannot serve in a precinct where they are on the ballot.

Judges can be paid or can served as volunteers. The compensation varies by community. More experienced election judges, such as head judges, usually earn more than entry level election judges.

Student trainees must be paid no less than two-thirds of the minimum wage.

All judges go through training. Training was long offered in-person only. Many communities, including Ramsey County, now offer online training that judges can take during a set time period. Training takes about two hours and judges can be quizzed on what the have learned.

Judges can opt to work primary and general elections, or just at general elections. more volunteers are typically needed for general elections every November. The work day schedule is 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., with some places offering half-days. Triplett said the half-day option in Ramsey County is good for elders and people with disabilities who may not be able to work a full day.

“We work to be as flexible as we can and to schedule people with the half-day option,” he said.

Judges can bring food and beverages to polling places. It’s best to ask a head judge for a meal break, rather than eating at a work table. Any medication needed during the day should also be brought along.

Duties typically involve a lot of sitting so if needed, think about a chair pillow or something to make sitting easier.

The Minnesota Secretary of State office also reminds everyone hat election judges have the right to time off from work to serve. Employers are required to give election judges time off from work to be an election judge without a reduction in pay. That means meeting certain qualifications.

An employer must be notified in writing at least 20 days in advance of election day. Attach a copy of the schedule and pay rate form to the written notice. The schedule and pay rate will be provided by the jurisdiction that hires you as an election judge.

"Without a reduction in pay" means the election judge gets to earn at least the same amount they would have, had they gone to work that day. In practice, this means an employer can ask an election judge to turn over the amount earned as an election judge during hours they would have normally been scheduled to work, or the employer can deduct that amount

from normal pay.

Election judges can also opt to take a vacation day to be fully paid by the employer and receive the judge salary earned as extra income. But that is the election judge’s choice. An employer cannot force someone to take vacation or any other form of paid leave.

The Minnesota Secretary of State website has a form that can be printed off and given to an employer to explain

or a disability.

An agent must be at least 18 years old, have a pre-existing relationship with the voter and cannot be a candidate. An individual cannot be an agent of more than three voters in an election. The agent must show identification with their name and signature when returning a ballot.

Give your agent a completed absentee ballot application and a request for agent delivery of absentee ballot form. Have your agent take both forms to the local election office to receive your ballot.

Agents can pick up ballot starting seven days before the election until 2 p.m. on Election Day. An agent or someone else designated by the voter must return the ballot to the same elections office by 3 p.m. on Election Day. Ballots can also be returned by mail. What’s important to remember is that election officials must receive the ballot on or before Election Day. Editor’s note: Elections coverage is provided in cooperation with Ramsey County Elections.

an employee’s right to receive time off to serve as an election judge.

Interested in being an election judge?

The Minnesota Secretary of State offers lots of good information online, as well as links to counties and cities to sign up as election judges. Go to https://www.sos. state.mn.us/elections-voting/ Visit Ramsey County Elections at https://www.ramseycounty.us/residents/ elections-voting

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

Pg 6

PEOPLE & PLACES f

In Memoriam

f

Franke defined life by his attitude Ronald “Ron” Franke approached life with multiple sclerosis by utilizing his active keen mind and sense of humor.

He reminded people to choose to be happy, treat everyone with respect and remember how lucky they were.

Franke died in August. He was 64 and lived in Hopkins.

Franke was one of four children. He had an older Ronald "Ron" Franke brother and sister, and a twin brother. His family lived in St. Louis Park and Golden Valley. He graduated from high school in Robbinsdale and attended the University of Minnesota.

He was diagnosed with MS in 1983, after noticing symptoms the year before. At the time he was a healthy young geologist and outdoorsman.

He compared his MS progression to a glacier. In 1986 Franke began walking with a cane, then used a walker.

He took his last steps in 1995 and retired that year.

He went through the process of becoming a certified financial planner.

Franke also became an activist, working with the MS Society and Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. He was frequently at hearings.

Franke was able to move out of a nursing home in the 1990s, thanks to the Minnesota Disability Health Options Program. It was one of many programs and issues he testified about before the Minnesota legislature.

He developed a lifelong circle of friends in the “MS gang.” The friends enjoyed outings including Twins baseball games and get-togethers.

He once wrote: “My name is Ron Franke. After four months of symptoms, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in April of 1983. The next 13 years were a struggle, but I lived a relatively normal life. I walked, drove and worked full time. But the walking became more difficult, and during the last week of November in 1995 I took my last step.

Over the next nine years my arms steadily became stiffer and weaker until they were gone. Just like the ocean waves continually pound the shoreline into sand, so did the waves of MS pound away at my mobility. But just like the ocean waves could never catch the wind, the waves of MS could not catch my attitude. Even though my legs and my arms don’t work anymore, I wake up every morning with a smile. I have a great deal to be thankful for. I am a happy man. I am a lucky man.”

He chose to focus on the positive things, rather than negatives. “Rather than reminisce about times gone by or dwell on my lost abilities, I choose to revel in my new life and all that I still have. I believe that people with disabilities and able-bodied people alike are often trapped by their own fears. Back during the November week when I quit walking, I was initially gripped with the fear of my loss. But soon I experienced the elation of my newfound freedom and the removal of the shackles on my withering legs. I have released myself from the prison of my fears.

Now I am free. Now I can fly."

Franke is survived by a daughter and son, three grandchildren, his siblings and their families, and many friends. Services have been held. Memorials preferred to the National MS Society, Upper Midwest Chapter.

Providing assistive technology was Fury’s passion Carol Fury-Fistman is remembered as dedicated to helping people find assistance to lead their best lives, with a focus on assistive technology and how it could make a difference. She co-authored state statutes, set up programs for people of all ages and was a champion for people with IN MEMORIAM To page 9

Oppong, Rodgers are among council members The Minnesota Governor’s Community Council on Inclusion and Equity is poised for a transformative role with state government. Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have announced the appointments of Antony Stately, Desralynn Cole, Rachel Zhang, Bernadette Burnham, Dr. Rebecca Evan, Elda Macias, Emmanuel Oppong, Georgia Miller-Kamara, Pleasant Radford, Natalie Ringsmuth, Myat Thanda Tun, Kenneth Rodgers, Ravyn Gibbs and Maryam Nur. “The Community Council will play a key role in our efforts to transform the work and practices of state government to be more Emmanual Oppong inclusive and equitable,” said Walz. “I applaud the appointees for committing themselves to public service and dedicating their talents and efforts towards fostering a Minnesota where people of all races and all walks of life can succeed.”

The council will advise and collaborate with the One Minnesota Council in achieving its goals to design, create and implement effective, inclusive and equitable practices for the state to address disparities and inequities in our communities. The Community Council, in collaboration with the One Minnesota Council and state agencies, must prepare a report to the governor on an annual basis.

The report will provide an update on the status of the Community Council’s work and recommendations for an effective, inclusive, and equitable state government.

Rodgers is well-known in Minnesota disability circles.

He is disability programs coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Previously he worked as a teacher and as a cardiac RN at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Rodgers received a bachelor’s degree in human services and education from California State University at Fullerton and a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a graduate certificate in holistic health studies from St. Catherine’s St. Mary’s campus. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute School of Public Affairs.

Oppong is the community engagement director in the mayor’s office for the city of St. Cloud, and adjunct faculty at St. Cloud State University. He is a licensed professional clinical counselor, a national certified counselor, and a Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy approved supervisor working primarily with marginalized communities, underserved immigrants, refugees, and the BIPOC population. Oppong served on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health from 2016 to 2020. Oppong earned a master's degree in community counseling psychology from St. Cloud State University and completed the Harvard University strategies for leading successful change initiatives professional development program.

“The Community Council’s work is to help create an inclusive and equitable Minnesota where everyone – Black, white, brown, and Indigenous – has the opportunity to live a full, beautiful life,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Today’s appointees all have demonstrated a firm commitment to serve our communities and fight for a fairer future. I am thrilled about their appointments and hopeful for the progress yet to come. This work requires Minnesota to be “all-in” to close gaps and provide opportunities for everyone in our state.”

“The administration has prioritized equity from day one. The Governor’s Community Council, in partnership

Kenneth Rodgers with the One MN Council, will collaborate to create a plan to advance equity in Minnesota, and work to realize the vision of One Minnesota” said Chris Taylor, chief inclusion officer.

Other members come from an array of backgrounds.

Stately is CEO of the Native American Community Clinic in Minneapolis. Cole is race and equity program manager in the Minneapolis City Coordinator Office.

Zhang is CEO of the Rochester Community Initiative.

Burnham is vice president of Education Minnesota.

Evans is assistant professor in the College of Management at Metropolitan State University. Macias is senior director of customer insights and experience design at Securian Financial.

Miller-Kamara is an education support professional (District 287) and child protection social worker for Hennepin County. Radford is health equity officer at UCare. Ringsmuth is an anti-racism trainer at St. Cloud State University and is executive director at #Unitecloud.

Tun is program manager for diversity, equity and inclusion and organizational development and learning, Fairview Health Services. Gibbs is on the staff of the U.S. Senate. Nur is executive director of Lead the Way MN.

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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PEOPLE & PLACES Refugees who make a positive difference are honored by DHS

Fatima Molas Refugees who have made a positive difference throughout Minnesota were honored this summer by the Minnesota Department of Human Service (DNS).

Twenty-two people were honored for their unique contributions. Ten honorees were from 2020, when the ceremony was posted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 12 are the 2021 Outstanding Refugee Award winners.

Because the department was unable to host an in-person ceremony due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, department leaders recognized the 2020 Outstanding Refugee Award recipients

Kahin Adam

during this year’s ceremony.

“Few of us can relate to the experiences refugees have gone through but we can certainly recognize and, in the case of these awards, honor those who have persevered and made a better life not only for themselves but enriched Minnesota with their ideas, talents and work ethic,” said Human Services Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.

Preceding the ceremonies, the department sponsored a virtual symposium highlighting the state of resettlement in Minnesota.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Out-

She marked 48 years

The Polk County Development Achievement Center (DAC) has recognized Bernice Lehman for an extraordinary record. Lehman retired last year at age 96, after involvement with for the DAC for spanning 48 years, two months, three weeks and two days. Her cousin David Dale of Fargo said it was the COVID-19 pandemic more than anything else that spurred the decision to finally end her decades at the DAC in October 2020.

“Bernice and (her brother) Ken were inseparable and were very helpful to one another. If one’s language was difficult to understand, the other one assisted them,” said Polk County DAC Director Jo Bittner. “Bernice was always cheerful, ready to try anything and so much fun.

She loved to joke around. Bernice was such a hard worker and so determined to do her best. She is now enjoying her well-deserved retirement!”

The siblings began attending the DAC in 1972 and enjoyed numerous activities there. They took part in Special Olympics for many years, and enjoyed stays at Camp Sunshine.

The following information about the Lehmans was provided to the Crookston Times by their cousins David Dale and his sisters, Pam Dale and Mary Briggs.

“Bernice loves animals, especially cats; she always had a lot of cats on the farm,” David Dale said. “She can't have real cats where she lives but she has a few stuffed ones that she carries with her. Bernice is very social, she loves visiting with people and you always get one of her big hugs when she sees you. She always had a smile.”

Bernice Anna Lehman was born October 18, 1924 in Virginia, Minnesota to Edward and Elsie Lehman. She and her brother Kenneth “Kenny” Lehman were born with born with cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities.

The family lived on a farm near Fertile. Bernice Lehman attended rural schools near Fertile for four years.

Elsie Lehman was a homemaker and died in 1953 from breast cancer. Edward Lehman was a farmer and an Army veteran with service in World War I. In 1970, they sold the farm and the family moved to

Abdikarim Hassen

Mohamed Abdulkadir standing Refugee Awards celebrate the courage, resilience and entrepreneurship of refugees, and their contributions to Minnesota.

The department uses federal funds to help refugees succeed in school, secure employment, become U.S. citizens, learn about their new communities and connect to community resources. In 2020, Minnesota welcomed 291 people with refugee status primarily from Burma, Somalia and Ukraine. Between January and May 2021, Minnesota welcomed 40 refugees.

Awards are given in different

a house in Fertile. After Edward Lehman died of cancer in 1972, Charles Gustafson was appointed guardian of Bernice and Kenny Lehman.

More tragedy struck in October 2005. Gustafson disappeared while on a hunting trip in Wyoming. He was never found.

The sister and brother lived in Fertile from 1972 until 1981, with foster parents and family members checking on them. Bernice Lehman would cook for her brother and have lemonade and cookies ready for guests.

In 1981, they moved in with foster parents/cousins Alice and Raymond Dale at Herald Station, a small community six miles southeast of Crookston. She enjoyed baking and helping to prepare meals with her cousins. She also loved helping with household chores and staying busy.

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REFUGEES To page 9

She also enjoyed embroidery, coloring and reading to Kenny. Kenny Lehman died in 2016.

After a fall and broken ankle in September 2004, Bernice Lehman moved to an REM group home in Crookston.

DHS appointment is announced

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jodi Harpstead named Cynthia MacDonald assistant commissioner for health care and as state Medicaid director. MacDonald took the post this summer.

MacDonald worked for DHS in the past and went on to work in nearly every facet of the health care system, from the private sector to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, where she worked on implementation PEPLE AND PLACES To page 9

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categories. The Civic Engagement Award recognizes individuals who make their communities stronger through civic participation. Three of the 2021 winners have ties to the disability community.

Kahin Adam of St. Cloud is a psychotherapist and community health specialist for CentraCare. Adam also works in trauma informed care, and helps clients find resources including mental health resources. He is part of a team that provides cultural competency educational information for healthcare workers.

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

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REGIONAL NEWS Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, has announced 12 new Compassionate Allowances conditions: Charlevoix Saguenay spastic ataxia (ARSACS), choroid plexus Carcinoma, CIC-rearranged sarcoma, congenital zika syndrome, desmoplastic mesothelioma, Duchenne muscular dystrophy – adult, pericardial mesothelioma, refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, Renpenning syndrome, SCN8A related epilepsy with encephalopathy, SYNGAP1-related NSID, and Taybi-Linder syndrome.

Compassionate Allowances is an initiative that quickly identifies severe medical conditions and diseases that meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.

“Everyone who is eligible for benefits under the programs we administer should receive them,” said Kijakazi. “Our Compassionate Allowances program helps us address barriers by helping accelerate the disability application process for people who are likely to get approved for benefits due to the severity of their medical condition.”

The Compassionate Allowances program quickly identifies claims where the applicant’s condition or disease clearly meets Social Security’s statutory standard for disability. Due to the severe nature of many of these conditions, claims are often allowed based on medical confirmation of the diagnosis alone; for example, certain cancers, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and a number of rare disorders that affect children. To date, more than 700,000 people with severe disabilities have been approved through this accelerated, policy-compliant disability process, which has grown to a total of 254 conditions.

When a person applies for disability benefits, Social

Check new state provider list

The state’s new assisted living protections began August 1, so families can easily check a facility’s status.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has posted an online list of the facilities approved to be licensed as assisted living facilities. The new list of facilities will be updated daily at the Assisted Living Information for Consumers, Families and Caregivers site. The site also offers other resources including the Minnesota Assisted Living Bill of Rights and frequently asked questions for consumers.

“Checking to see whether your facility was approved for an assisted living license can be a simple way to confirm that your facility is on track with this process,” said Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “This is an important time to be aware of these changes and to be in communication with your provider about any possible changes in services.”

The number of providers applying for assisted living licenses exceeded expectations given the number of assisted living-type facilities in the state. MDH accepted a total of 2,006 applications (1,414 assisted living facility applications and 593 assisted living with dementia care facility applications) for a total capacity of 57,636 residents.

Minnesota’s assisted living-type facilities 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 have seen changes in 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.

Providers were required to notify residents of their licensing plans by May 31.

MDH also announced adoption of the new state

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Compassionate Allowances to save time

Security must obtain medical records in order to make an accurate determination. The agency incorporates leading technology to identify potential Compassionate Allowances cases and make quick decisions. Social Security’s Health IT brings the speed and efficiency of electronic medical records to the disability determination process. With electronic records transmission, Social Security is able to quickly obtain a claimant’s medical information, review it, and make a fast determination.

For more information about the program, including a list of all Compassionate Allowances conditions, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. To learn more about Social Security’s Health IT program, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/hit. People may apply online for disability benefits by visiting www. socialsecurity.gov. To create a my Social Security account, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. rules that, paired with the new statutory regulations, will govern assisted living facilities. These rules were published in the State Register on July 19.

Some of the new benefits and protections for residents in the rules include the following: Assisted living facilities will be required to develop an emergency preparedness plan that is uniquely tailored to the facility to ensure it has sufficient training, supplies and leadership to address a broad range of emergencies.

Registered nurses must conduct initial assessments and reassessments of residents in the assisted living setting.

Assisted living licensure rules establish staffing appropriate to best protect the health and safety of residents no matter their vulnerability, requiring facilities to have a staffing plan that guarantees the facility staffing levels that meet the needs of residents.

Residents in assisted living facilities now have the right to appeal an eviction or termination of housing and services to allow the Office of Administrative Hearing to determine if termination was fair and just.

There are now two licensure types: 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 were discontinued July 31. The new assisted living reforms set higher expectations for providers and create more protections for people living in assisted living establishments. They also create clear pathways for accountability and better services for residents of assisted living facilities.

(Source: Minnesota Department of Health)

Human rights turnover is a worry

St. Paul’s Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, or HREEO, has been led

by five directors or interim directors in three years, injecting uncertainty into day-to-day operations at a time when disability rights and a slew of other issues are increasingly taking priority in the city.

The department is currently led by interim director Kristien Butler, following the abrupt departure of former director Valerie Jensen in April.

“They’ve really got to find someone to restore morale,” said a former member of the HREEO Commission, a citizen board that meets monthly to discuss the work of the department. “Really, it’s a morale thing. Staff morale is just so low.”

“Over the past several years, the Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity has experienced a number of workplace challenges involving individuals no longer employed by the city,” said Deputy Mayor Jaime Tincher. “Much of the information surrounding the circumstances of these personnel matters are not public under Minnesota law. Despite those challenges, we have continued to benefit from the incredible work of our HREEO staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.”

The department has had a number of lower-level positions turn over or sit vacant. From human rights investigators to contract compliance officers, several employees say they’re juggling the jobs of two or three workers. Even entry-level employees have been forced to absorb job duties that would ordinarily fall to more seasoned supervisors.

In October 2018, the St. Paul City Council approved a $250,000 settlement agreement with a former director, who had accused the police department of unprofessional conduct toward her and her staff, a claim the police chief denied. As part of the agreement, the ex-director agreed to drop a state human rights complaint and not try to get her job back.

(Source: Pioneer Press)

Responses changed to certain calls

A change to the state’s use-of-force laws puts officers in a bind, some law enforcement agencies contend, because it makes unclear their liability if they reach for their gun to defend themselves or others in a “suicide by cop” situation. Rather than risk breaking the law, some departments have declined to send officers for calls about people in a mental health crisis.

“We have had now police and sheriffs refuse to respond to suicide calls. And it’s hugely problematic,” National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota Executive Director Sue Abderholden said. “We just really believe that yes, ‘suicide by cop’ is a real thing but it is a very small percentage. And we do need officers at times responding to suicide calls.”

The Minnesota Legislature in 2020 passed a slate of police accountability measures months after George Floyd was murdered by an officer while in the custody of Minneapolis police. The measure’s supporters said that in the wake of Floyd’s murder, the state needed to do more to prevent police violence and to hold bad officers to account. Lawmakers limited the conditions in which law enforcement officers can deploy deadly force.

The law states that officers can use lethal force only when an officer or a bystander is at risk of serious injury or death. The officer needs to be able to prove based on what they knew at the time that the force was justified.

That language has spurred confusion about when officers could use deadly force against a person who is attempting to hurt himself or herself. And while police and mental health groups are working to provide best practices for approaching the situations, departments have put forth different guidance to officers in the meantime.

Concerned Minnesotans brought the issue to NAMI’s attention, Abderholden said, but it wasn’t clear how REGIONAL NEWS To page 9

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

REFUGEES

From page 7 Mohamed Abdulkadir of St. Peter is a refugee training specialist at MRCI. As a refugee employment specialist for the past decade and on the staff for MRCI for 16 years, he helps newcomers to the area find work and overcome daily challenges of living in a new country, and he works directly with employers looking to hire staff.

Fatima Molas of Columbia Heights is chairperson of Multicultural Autism Action Network. The network focuses on children with autism and their families, who are part of multicultural communities, providing support and education. Parent-advocate Molas is active at the Minnesota Legislature and is involved in networking with other autism service organizations.

Other winners in this category are Michael Yang of St. Paul, Southeast Asian community specialist for City of Minneapolis Neighborhood and Community Relations; Mamady Konneh of Golden Valley, CEO for We Network Now; Maylary Apolo of Austin, legal assistant at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota; and Armin Budimlic of Rochester, executive director for the Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association, The Entrepreneurship Award recognizes individuals who contribute to their communities in business, the arts or education. Winners are Salman Elmi of Blaine, president and founder of Tavolo and Top Figure and Ayan Abukar of Bloomington, executive director for

PEOPLE AND PLACES

Action for East African People.

The Young Leader Award recognizes young people who have achieved great milestones and are making a difference in their communities. 2021 winner is Nasra Farah of Waite Park, speaker, writer and board member for Unite Cloud.

For the New Beginnings Award, which recognizes individuals who have been in the United States for two years or fewer, and exemplifies the resilience and courage it takes to rebuild their well-being and make Minnesota their home.

Abdikarim Hassen of Rochester is volunteer for Family Service Rochester. Family Service Rochester, founded in 1965, offers an array of services to help families with serious child welfare and/or family violence concerns. Major service expansions are in the areas of child maltreatment, child welfare, children's mental health, domestic violence and providing our services to ethnically diverse populations.

Another winner is Cani Adan of Moorhead, program manager for the Afro American Development Association For more information about refugee services, visit the DHS resettlement webpage at mn.gov/dhs/partnersand-providers/program-overviews/refugee-resettlement. To learn about previous recipients of Outstanding Refugee Awards, visit the department’s Outstanding Refugees webpage at mn.gov/dhs/outstanding-refugees

REGIONAL NEWS

D.C., and a law degree from William Mitchell Law School.

Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing, and the State Rehabilitation Council.

Michele Isham of Sartell was reappointed to the Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing as East Central 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.

Karen Leddy of Mound was reappointed to the State Rehabilitation Council as a business, industry and labor representative.

Tyler Sadek of Minneapolis was also reappointed to the council as a business, industry and labor representative.

The State Rehabilitation Council’s duties include guiding decisions about Minnesota’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), coordinating between VRS and centers for independent living and other state councils with interest in issues pertaining to disability and employment, and reporting to the Governor and the U.S. Department of Education on the status of vocational rehabilitation programs.

From page 7 of the Affordable Care Act /2021 MacDonald worked for DHS in the late 1980s and early 1990s as an ombudsman for older Minnesotans. She then became manager of the managed care negotiations and contracting section, and helped lead the team that developed one of the nation’s first 1115 Medicaid waivers, as well as MinnesotaCare and Minnesota Senior Health Options. She was also chief negotiator with the managed care plans.

She has also held senior leadership positions at Blue Cross and Blue Shield Minnesota and MN Community Measurement, and served as CEO of Metropolitan Health Plan in Hennepin County.

She was vice president for Health Care Service Corporation, serving multiple states, before being recruited by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services to work on implementation of the Affordable Care Act through state-based insurance companies. She then returned to blue cross Blue Shield, and most recently, was recruited by Anthem Blue Cross where she was the CEO of the Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota Medicaid region.

MacDonald holds a degree in human services administration from George Washington University in Washington,

Day activity centers around Minnesota have announced changes in lead staff. The Winona County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) recently announced that Brenda Volkman is the new executive director. Volkman has been with the DAC in various leadership roles since starting there in March 2002, including serving in posts with transportation and human resources.

Volkman is a lifelong resident of the Winona area. She and her husband Gerald live in Goodview. Together they have three children, nine grandchildren, and a golden retriever named Max. Outside of work she enjoys boating, fishing and vacationing up north.

After 25 years of service at Range Center, Inc. Chief Financial Officer Jim Zahorsky retired at the end of August. He plans to stay on as a consultant for another year, to support staff including new CFO Jed Heubner.

The Range Center is in Chisholm.

IN MEMORIAM

Hult founded ALS walk, promoted service dogs

From page 6 disabilities. Fury-Fistman died this summer after a bout with cancer. She was 64 and lived in rural Howard Lake.

Fury-Fistman was born in Worthington. Her career in disability services was almost 50 years long. At age 15, she was a volunteer paraprofessional in the Chaska Public Schools, helping the first student mainstreamed there.

She later was on a development team at the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, to create the Minnesota Developmental Program System. The system evaluated the skills of persons with developmental disabilities and helped move people out of institutions and into community settings.

In 1980 she built, licensed and operated an intermediate care facilities for individuals with behavioral and intellectual disabilities, to meet needs during a state moratorium.

She cofounded the Project SWAN day training and habilitation program. SWAN stood for Strategic Work Activities Now. It was a pilot program for Hennepin County. Fury-Fistman also designed the first communitybased residential program for people with traumatic brain injury. ReSTART became a national model.

She served as director of the Adult Training & Habilitation Center in Winsted. But Her crowning achievement began in 2001 when she founded the nonprofit Assistive Technology of Minnesota, later known as EquipALife.

EquipALife was set up to help people obtain needed assistive technology, and to help people with disabilities develop, expand or maintain businesses. EquipALife also helped with events, including wheelchair races at the Twin Cities Marathon and worked closely with the agricultural assistive technology program AgrAbility.

EquipALife recently closed.

Fury-Fistman also founded the Minnesota Regions Assistive Technology Collaborative, which ensured that services were available throughout Minnesota. She led a variety of needed assistive technology training programs, for educators and for those involved in the assistive technology assessment process She served on the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted School Board for six years, where she served on the school district’s special education cooperation and worked on standards for paraprofessional certification.

Fury-Fistman was honored by the Minnesota State Council on Disability and the Minnesota STAR Program. She was a 2015 nominee for the Access Press Charlie Smith Award.

She is survived by her husband Jerry, siblings and their families, and other relatives and friends. Services have been held.

Pg 9

Day activity centers around Minnesota have announced changes

State appointees are named

Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan have announced appointments to groups including the

Kathleen “Kathy” Hult turned a disability into decades of activism. Hult lived with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, for 23 years. She died this summer. Hult was 68 and lived in Edina.

ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Hult showed courage, creativity and perseverance as she met many challenges with her motto, "I am grateful for what I can do today as I don't know what I will be able to do tomorrow.”

Born in St. Paul, Hult grew up in Forest Lake and attended school there. She graduated from the University of Minnesota and shared her love of sports through teaching and coaching physical education and health.

She went on to earn an MBA and made an impact in the business world, specializing in marketing. She volunteered for Junior Achievement by sharing her passion for finance with young people.

After her diagnosis, Hult worked with the ALS Association on many projects from lobbying legislators in Washington D.C. to starting the first Walk to Defeat ALS in Minnesota. She also served on the association’s board of directors.

She received two service dogs from Helping Paws to assist her in her daily activities, and gave presentations throughout the state with Joy, then Claire, her closest companions.

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From page 8

many mental health crisis calls had gone unanswered due to different interpretations of the deadly force policy.

Abderholden said the statute has also prompted some officers to avoid mental health transport calls out of concerns for officer liability in communities around the state.

House Public Safety Committee Chairman Carlos Mariani (DFL-St. Paul), wrote the 2020 police accountability package and worked to get it passed through the divided Legislature. He said stakeholder groups involved in crafting the legislation failed to raise concerns about potential issues at the time.

Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association Executive Director Jeff Potts said individual police departments had to weigh the risk to the person in crisis against the potential risk to the officer responding. They also had to consider their liability in meeting their duty of care to the community.

Law enforcement groups, mental health advocates and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office since June have been meeting to clarify the policy and to write recommendations for how officers should approach it.

Leaders involved in those talks said they hoped to have guidance finalized soon.

Her dedication to improving the lives of others, especially those with disabilities, resulted in her being honored as one of the Eleven Who KARE in 2011.

Hult is survived by her father, a sister and her family, service dog Claire and many other friends and family members.

A celebration of life will be held in the fall. Memorials may be designated to the ALS Association MN/ND/SD Chapter or Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest.

September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9 Pg 10

RADIO TALKING BOOK Use an app instead of a receiver Radio Talking Book is not just for listeners with visual disabilities. It can be an asset for people whose disabilities limit hand movements, making it difficult to read a book. The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming. Many more programs and books are available.

The service 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.

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, Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm 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.

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.

The Happiness Effect, nonfiction by Donna Freitas, 2017. Social media has become a dominant force in people’s lives. But many believe it has magnified something else: the need to appear happy. Read by Mary Hall. Thirteen broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 6. – L

Confessions of a Recovering Environmentalist, nonfiction by Paul Kingsnorth, 2017. Green activist Paul Kingsnorth believes the environmental movement has gone wrong, and advocates instead for “uncivilization.” Read by Mike Piscitelli. 11 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 23.

Past is Prologue* Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

The Age of Acrimony – Nonfiction by Jon Grinspan, 2021. Think present-day politics are bad? They’re child’s play compared to the half-century after the Civil War, says historian Jon Grinspan. Read by John Potts.

13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 13. - L Angels in the Sky, nonfiction by Robert Gandt, 2017. Volunteer airmen from around the world fought for Israel during its war of independence, risking their lives for a righteous cause. Read by Marylyn Burridge. Fifteen broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 30.

Bookworm* Monday – Friday noon House of Gold, fiction by Natasha Solomons, 2018. The Goldbaum family had wealth and power throughout Europe in the early 20th century. But all that would change with the shifting times. Read by Pat Muir. 17 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 13.

The Writer’s Voice* Monday – Friday 1 p.m.

Good Things Happen to People You Hate, nonfiction by Rebecca Fishbein, 2019. Humorist Rebecca Fishbein shares anecdotes of her life’s struggles, inspiring a spirit of resilience. Read by Karen Ray. Seven broadcasts; begins Thursday, Sept. 30. - L Choice Reading* Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

A Lucky Man, fiction by Jamel Brinkley, 2018.

Fathers and sons salvage relationships with their friends and family members, to confront past mistakes. Each focuses on the past to sort through what got them to the present.

Read by Don Gerlach. 11 broadcasts begins Wed, Sept. 15.

The Lioness of Morocco, fiction by Julia Drosten, 2017. In 1830s London, marriage was Sibylla’s ticket to freedom and travel – until her new husband’s dark dealings threaten her family’s safety. Read by Esmé Evans. 14 broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 30 .

Afternoon Report* Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Bending Toward Justice, nonfiction by Sen. Doug Jones and Greg Truman, 2019. Former US Attorney Doug Jones chronicles his case against Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church bombers. Read by Mike Casper. 15 broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 13.

Night Journey* Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Twelve Angry Librarians, fiction by Miranda James, 2017. College librarian Charlie Harris is known for long walks with his cat Diesel.

But when his nemesis is found dead, can he and Diesel clear his name? Read by Diane Ladenson. Seven broadcasts, begins Thu, Sept. 16. – L, V Another Kind of Eden, fiction by James Lee Burke, 2021. Aaron Broussard wants to publish a novel, convince the woman he loves to marry him, and earn enough money to live. But he knows that when in a rage he will find it hard to stop until someone, maybe himself, is dead. Read

by Tom Speich. Seven broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 27. – L Off the Shelf* Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The One Real Thing, fiction by Samantha Young, 2016. A doctor in a woman’s prison discovers 40-year-old love letters and sets out to deliver them. Read by Anne Obst.

Twelve broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 20.

– L, S Potpourri* Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

A Change Is Gonna Come, nonfiction by Brian F. Harrison, 2016. We can't change everyone, but Brian F. Harrison teaches us how to persuade the persuadable. This is for people willing to have the conversations that might change the world. Read by Michele Potts. Six broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 6.

Who Says You’re Dead?, nonfiction by Jacob M. Appel, 2019. How would you act when facing medical cases that raise serious ethical concerns? Read by Yelva Lynfield. 11 broadcasts; begins Tue, Sept. 14.

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

Oddjobs, fiction by Heide Goody and Iain Grant, 2016. Even while aliens prepare to destroy the Earth, a young woman still

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

Abbreviations V – violent content R – racial epithets L – strong language S – sexual situation G – gory descriptions must complete the government paperwork.

Read by John Holden. Twelve broadcasts; begins Mon, Sept. 20. – L, V RTB After Hours* Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Among the Survivors, fiction by Ann Z. Leventhal, 2017. Raised to always fear what might happen next, Karla tries taking risks that lead her to a more satisfying life. Read

by Jodi Lindskog. Ten broadcasts; begins Thu, Sept. 2. – L, S Same Beach, Next Year, fiction by Dorothea Benton Frank, 2017. Two couples begin a friendship one summer that will last more than twenty years and transform their lives with unexpected attractions. Read by Sue McDonald. 11 broadcasts, begins Thu, Sept.

16. – L, S Weekend Program Books Your Personal World. 1 p.m. Sat, presents The Handbook for Bad Days by Eveline Helmink (L); followed by The In-Betweens

by Mira Ptacin (L), both read by Beverly Burchett.

Rated R, 11 p.m. Sat, presents Cheaters Always Win by J.M. Fenster (L), read by Scott McKinney.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents Welcome to the Dark House by Laurie Faria Stolarz, read by Michelle Juntunen.

Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents Advice from the Lights by Stephen Burt, read by Laura Rohlik; followed by Palominos Near Tuba City by Denise Sweet, read by Michele Potts.

The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents The I-35W Bridge Collapse by Kimberly J. Brown, read by Jim Gregorich.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

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September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9

Enjoy!

NAMIWalks raises awareness The 15th annual NAMIWalks Minnesota, a 5K walk to raise awareness about mental illnesses and celebrate hope, is 1 p.m. Sat, Sept. 25 at Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis. NAMIWalks supports the efforts of NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to provide education, support and advocacy for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. The event opens at 11 a.m. and runs through 3 p.m. There will be picnics & food trucks, speakers, mental health resource tables, a t-shirt contest, a tree of hope and more.

This year walkers will also have the option of joining the walk and raising awareness in their own way in their home communities. There is still time to register and form a team. FFI: 651-6452948, www.namimn.org Open Flow Forum The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates Thu, Sept. 2 and Oct. 8. 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. Funding is available for access needs. FFI: 651-294-0907, resources@ springboardforthearts.org Self-advocacy classes Upstream Arts offers virtual selfadvocacy classes through Sept. 20.

Artists aged 18 and older are welcome to attend one of three weekly times at 10-11 a.m. Mon, 1-2 p.m. Wed, or 4-5 p.m. Thu. Classes are online and paywhat-one-can. All classes have ASL interpretation and close captioning.

In-person classes are coming in the fall.

FFI: 612-331-4584, upstreamarts.org Less to Enjoy!

Restrictions have eased in the entertainment world, but with the spike in COVID-19 cases, arts organizations are making contingency plans. It’s more important than ever to check on events and activities before heading out.

Some 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. Others are offering their art in-person. Please check with a venue or organization before making plans. Check to see what classes and performances are offered online. See what is available through the Minnesota Access Alliance and its calendar, at https://mnaccess.org/

Made in the Shade returns in-person Made in the Shade is a non-competitive fundraising walk, benefiting seven local nonprofit partners, raising money for those living with disabilities. Made in the Shade is an annual celebration of relationships, fundraising and community building that makes a difference for hundreds of people served by partner organizations.

After an in-person hiatus in 2020, Made in the Shade is back in-person and virtually for 2021.

This year’s event is 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat, Sept. 18 at Thomas Beach, Lake Bde Maka Ska, 3700 Thomas Ave. S., Mpls.

In-person and virtual participation options are available for anyone wishing to walk, run or roll.

The groups will follow health guidelines for the in-person event.

Episcopal Group Homes, Homeward Bound, PAI, Partnership Resources Inc., Phoenix Residence, TSE and Wingspan Life Resources will directly benefit from funds raised.

Participants sign up through the organizations they wish to support. Check for updates on the event Facebook page or through sponsor websites.

Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m. A welcome program is at 10 a.m., with a warm-up for the walkers at 10:20 a.m. The walk, run and roll starts at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. is the post-event celebration featuring lunch and music. The event ends at noon.

The Made in the Shade event will follow CDC and MDH guidelines for large gatherings. Masks will be available. Unvaccinated participants and guests are strongly encouraged to wear masks.

Safety stations with hand sanitizer and first-aid supplies will be in place.

Check the event Facebook page for updates. FFI: https://www.facebook.com/madeintheshade5k

Opportunities Board Openings

Apply for Minneapolis boards, commissions Thirteen Minneapolis city boards and commissions have openings for appointments. The positions are open until filled; application deadline is Oct. 1 unless marked otherwise. The city seeks applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the city. Translation and interpreting services are available so all residents can participate.

Ninety-eight openings are available so Minneapolis residents should consider applying. The Commission on Civil Rights, Advisory Committee on Aging, Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, and groups that work on everything from local food to zoning to workforce issues need members. FFI: 612-673-2216, OpenAppointments@minneapolismn.gov Get Up Stand Up seeks members Get Up Stand Up to Cure Paralysis Foundation is a Minnesota nonprofit organization in working to unite, educate and support those dealing with spinal cord injuries and to advocate for research and the restoration of function. The group is seeking new members for its board. Open board positions are for a Minnesota disability law professional, a treasurer/accountant and a secretary. Positions are volunteer and unpaid. Detailed information is available about each position, FFI: kirk.ingram@ gusu2cure.org or joe.dailey@gusu2cure.org, www.gusu2cure.org

Conferences

Conference is set MOHR announces in-person conference Sept. 16-17 in Duluth. MOHR, the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation, is comprised of about 100 adult day, day training and habilitation, extended employment and supported employment service provider members serving in excess of 26,000 Minnesotans with disabilities. Cost is $160 and space is limited. Full program, hotel and registration information are available online. FFI: www.mohrmn.org Autistic Community Summit The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) will hold its fourth annual AuSM Autistic Community Summit, an event organized by autistics for autistics to build a strong community through education, shared stories, and advocacy. The event will be held virtually Sat, Sept. 18. It is an opportunity for autistic adults to gather and learn, while sharing the wisdom they’ve gained through lives of experience. This year’s keynote

Pg 11

speaker is Wendell Britt, Jr., an autistic man who will speak about overcoming structural barriers for marginalized groups. Following the keynote, breakout sessions led by autistic speakers will focus on topics ranging from autistic identity to communicating with health care professionals. Schedule details and registration for the AuSM Autistic Community Summit is available on AuSM’s website. FFI: www.ausm.org

Children & Families

Fly with Project KITE PACER Center offers Project KITE, a series of five free virtual workshops that brings together education professionals and the parents of children with whom they work.

Through collaborative trainings, teams learn about assistive technology designed to enhance learning and increase inclusion of students with disabilities. Three separate teams with three members per team are needed to make a complete KITE group.

Teams must be from Minnesota. Each single team is built around a focus child (aged 3-8) and consists of a parent of a child with special needs; a classroom teacher; a related service provider working with the child (for example a special education teacher, speech therapist, paraprofessional, occupational therapist, etc.) Each team member must apply individually. Applications for Fall 2021 teams are due by September 30.

Assistive technology can be as simple as a pencil grip or as complex as an iPad. When used effectively, it can open doors to new skills and abilities for a child with a disability.

During Project KITE, teams of parents and professionals learn and work together to discover and trial assistive technology that can benefit their child, student and the classroom. The project includes the loan of an iPad loaded with useful learning and communication apps for the duration of the program. FFI: www.pacer.org/stc/kite PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with any disabilities.

Workshops are 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.

Text-Based Augmentative and Alternative Communication Tools is offered 2-3 p.m.

Wed, Sept. 8. The one-hour workshop will explore text-based augmentative communication (AAC) apps and programs to benefit individuals with communication needs, but who don't find the common

symbol-based AAC apps to be a good fit.

Tech for Teens Club: Coding Virtual Reality is 10-11:30 a.m. Sat, Sept. 18. In the Tech for Teens webinar, participants will use code to create a virtual reality solar system and then be able to use a smartphone or tablet (or VR headset if one is available) to move around in 3D virtual space. See how virtual reality headsets work with the code and discover how coding can be used in all areas of science. FFI: PACER, 952-8389000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

Info & Assistance

Call the Arc Minnesota Help Desk A direct link to information and 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 directly, callers will be connected with a partner agency.

If no one can take a call, leave a message for a call back. The public can still use the website’s Ask an Advocate form or use the Frequently Asked Questions to quickly find resources. FFI: 952-920-1480, www.arcminnesota.org Vision Loss Resources back in-person Some activities will be both available in-person, as well as remotely on Zoom.

Anyone planning to attend an in-person activity must call RSVP Hotline at 612843-3439 or email rsvp@vlrw.org. RSVP two working days prior to the activity. All in-person classes will have a 10-participant maximum. A wait list will be kept after classes reach capacity. Masks are required to be worn at all in-person activities.

Participants should bring beverages and snacks.

Vision Loss Resources has a new audio activities line. To listen, call 612-235-3654.

The calendar is also available on the website. Ask about support groups, events, distance learning and no-contact grocery shopping and reading support.

FFI: 612-843-3439, 612-871-2222, info@ visionlossresources.org Online mental health support NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers 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.

Three new groups are offered: BIPOC Connections Support Group: A peer-led support group for people in BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) communities who live with mental illness.

Meets 10-11:30 a.m. 2nd and 4th Sat. Young Adult Family Support Group: A young adult peer-led support group for families and friends of a person living with a mental illness. Meets 5-6:30 p.m. the 4th Wed. BIPOC Family Support Group: A peer led support group in BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) communities for families and friends of a person living with a mental illness. Meets 5-6:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sat. Find a complete list of NAMI Minnesota support groups, meetings and how to join in by going to namimn.org and clicking on “Support Groups”. FFI: https://namimn.org/ support/nami-minnesota-support-groups/.

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 Communities, a suicide prevention class called QPR – Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities and many more.

Find a complete listing of classes and how to join in by going to namimn.org and clicking on “Classes” or https://namimn. org/education-public-awareness/classes/ scheduled/

CLASSIFIEDS For Rent

Metes & Bounds Management Company manages the following Section 8 properties in Minnesota: Greenwood Wadena 218-631-2575 Mission Oaks Plymouth 763-559-5770 Rustic Creek Two Harbors 218-595-1018 Todd 27 Long Prairie 320-732-6154 Town Square East Grand Forks 218-773-3631 Boardwalk Wayzata 952-473-0502 Dewey Place/The Pines Foley 320-968-7791 Highwood Homes Prior Lake 952-447-6961 Income and rent restrictions apply Metes & Bounds is an equal housing opportunity housing company Find your new home with At Home Apartments. Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApartments.com for an apartment or town home Equal Opportunity Housing

Classified rates: $14 (first 12 words); 65¢/word beyond 12.

Deadline: 20th of each month.

Email classified to access@accesspress.org We will email total cost of classified ad.

September 2021 Volume 32, Number 9 Pg 12

Be part of a great resource!

The best way to reach Minnesota’s disability community is through the Access Press Directory of Organizations.

In print four times annually and online 24/7, the Directory offers quick information for people seeking an array of resources.

From housing to health care, recreation to recovery, clubs to consumer-directed community supports, we offer the information you need for your best life!

Be part of our

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Thank you Direct Support Professionals!

DSPs are heroes to each person they support. We want to express our heartfelt appreciation for all that you do.

Happy DSP Appreciation Week from MRCI-CDS!

ACCEPTING IMMEDI AT E INTA KES

Call 800-829-7110 or Visit MRCICDS.ORG to learn more