The need for stable housing, and resources to provide some of that housing with supportive services, will be a key issue at the capitol in 2025. The state’s critical affordable housing shortage and a growing number of unsheltered persons have raised awareness statewide.
The affordable housing issue can affect Minnesotans with disabilities in various ways. One concern is that people who have modest incomes, especially people with disabilities, are paying too much of their incomes for housing.
The affordable housing shortage especially affects the state’s workforce, including those who provide care for people with disabilities.
Accessible housing is also a need, especially in Greater Minnesota, where people want to stay near friends and family. Housing with supportive services can be in short supply in some areas.
Another wrinkle is that many people with disabilities are unsheltered. The percentage of unsheltered, disabled people is a point of debate among advocacy groups. Some estimates are that more than 40 percent of unsheltered persons live with at least one disability.
One message elected officials around Minnesota have is that stable housing is the key to solving many problems, including the homelessness crisis and disability issues.
Housing needs are also a perennial issue for Minnesota disability services providers, with many groups bringing forward proposals. One proposal for the 2025 legislative session is Our Future Starts at Home. The Arc Minnesota is a coalition leader. The coalition is bringing back an item introduced in the 2024 session.
Proposed is an amendment to the state constitution. It would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot, to increase funding for accessible, affordable housing. The amendment would dedicate statewide funding to housing, much like that for infrastructure or healthcare, by creating a statewide sales tax.
Thirty-seven cents of every $100 spent would go toward making sure families and future generations of Minnesotans can live and thrive by making stable housing affordable, according to the legislative proposal.
“Housing is a basic human need that all Minnesotans should have access to, no matter what they look like and where they come from. When everyone has a roof over their head, our communities are not only better, they’re stronger,” the proposal stated.
HOUSING To page 4
Access Press awards put a spotlight on those who provide outstanding service
Dedication to Minnesotans with disabilities can take many forms, ranging from meaningful employment to participation in sports. A large crowd gathered at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul November 1 to celebrate the Access Press award winners and nominees.
The event also served as a kickoff to a fundraising drive through Give to the Max and the Institute for Nonprofit News’ NewsMatch campaign. Event Emcee Mark Daly, Access Press Board Chair Jane Larson,
With
Board Vice Chair Lynda Milne and Editor Jane McClure spoke of the important work Access Press does to bring news and information to Minnesotans with disabilities.
Daly gave kudos to the late Margot Imdieke Cross, who won the first Charlie Smith Award in 2003, for teaching him about disability when he was a news reporter at KARE 11. Imdieke Cross, a longtime access specialist with the Minnesota Council on Disability, helped open his eyes and expand his knowledge about
Sensory space planned
Page 5
Prince concert recalled Page 2
Cannabis turmoil Page 10
RISE gives awards Page 11
Grants are announced Page 6
some uncertainty, work continues on legislation
New and familiar issues are on the Minnesota disability community’s agenda for the 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature. Advocacy groups and coalitions are preparing agendas, to be ready in time for the first gavel on January 7. Uncertainty has been the watchword as preparations continued this fall. One issue is finances, and what if any funding will be available for ongoing and possible new programs.
Much hinges on the November 5 election, as Minnesotans voted to determine which party would control the House and Senate. Twenty House members step down at or before the end of the 2023-2024 biennium, meaning many new faces will be the capitol. Several incumbent House members were in close contests. The Senate has a one-vote majority between parties, with one seat on the ballot due to a resignation.
So it’s not surprising that several groups and advocates were preparing backup plans, or still looking for bill sponsors as October ended.
Sean Burke, one of the leaders of
intergovernmental relations efforts for the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD), said that the makeup of the House and Senate are just two issues to watch. Another is the state financial or budget forecast, which is expected during the first week of December.
That number will let everyone know what there is to spend for ongoing programs, and if there is any one-time funding available.
MNCCD is looking at more than 30 bills
and hopes to set its agenda by the end of this month. Before the start of session the consortium will rank bills in three categories.
Tier One bills are bills that MNCCD takes the lead on and spends the most time advocating for. Tier Two bills have their own lead sponsor or sponsors, with MNCCD doing some advocacy for but not leading. Tier Three bills have a lead sponsor or sponsors, with SESSION To page 4
Access Press thanks this month's issue spotlight!
Barb Smith and Paul Pranghofer were honored at the Access Press awards event November 1.
MELANIE METZ
AWARDS To page 7
EDITORIAL
Prepare
for changes as the 2025 legislative session draws near
At a time when we’re taking down our Halloween décor, here’s a topic that may be challenging to start thinking about: The 2025 Minnesota Legislature gavels into session January 7.
(Did you think we were going to say Christmas? We must admit that work on legislative funding asks and policy begins at about the same time the Santa Clauses and snow people appear in stores – which is July in some cases.)
As always a lot is at stake for Minnesotans with disabilities, their family members, their caregivers, their service providers and their other allies. Here’s why.
2025 is a budget year. The decisions state lawmakers make for our community have such a significant impact on our daily lives. Our supports and services depend on what happens – or doesn’t happen – at the capitol.
2025 will be a year with many new faces at the capitol as the entire House was on the November 5 ballot. Several longtime disability community allies step down at the end of 2024. It’s always an education process when new state lawmakers step in. We will see who our new champions will be.
2025 will also be a session in which lobbyists, advocates and legislators are dealing with a changing Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). That will affect those who lead on policy and funding initiatives for our community.
We can look at history and realize that DHS itself has had many iterations since it was formed out of the state’s longtime Department of Public Welfare. Before then social services and corrections (yes, state prisons) were lumped into that one state department.
Older Minnesotans can see where that sort of made sense because prisons and state hospitals are/were institutions. Our younger
2025 is a budget year. The decisions state lawmakers make for our community have such a significant impact on our daily lives. Our supports and services
depend on what happens - or doesn't happen - at the capitol.
readers don’t remember the battles to get many state hospitals shut down and disabled people served in their home communities. Our state hospitals are gone but the populations they serve still exist.
DHS has dramatically changed to serve Minnesotans with disabilities, children and families. Change came with President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s Great Society programs at the federal level.
States including Minnesota dove into human services policy expansion and development more than 50 years ago. And in 2025, there’s yet another transformation. A split was started as a result of the 2023 legislative session. Next year DHS will be formally split into three separate agencies. We will have the Department of Children, Youth, and Families; the
HISTORY NOTE
Department of Direct Care and Treatment; and the Department of Human Services.
For policymakers and those who rely on services from DHS, an obvious goal for change is to have smaller departments where various agencies and programs can be brought together and focused
For our readers who rely on services and lobby for those services, the changes affect how they will focus their advocacy efforts during the 2025 session. This change affects every Minnesotan who lives with a disability and we’ll start seeing that in broader view during the session.
Of course, much of what our community focuses on will still be under the DHS umbrella. But there are important changes as well.
Separating out the needs of children and
their issues will no doubt aid those of us who must focus legislative efforts on children with disabilities and their families.
Another big change will be seen as advocates address what is done in direct care and treatment and its focus on specialized behavioral health. We’ve long heard the call to build our state’s mental health system and how that should be done. More state-run beds? More community options? More culturally sensitive programs?
Minnesotans with disabilities and their advocacy groups do much advocacy as groups, through consortiums on mental health, children and families, housing, care and disability in general. It will be interesting to see how the DHS changes affect how and whom community members lobby.
We again remind our readers that the time to prepare for the session is now. Bills are already taking shape.
Many advocacy groups offer training and resources, as well as legislative agendas to support. There’s a wealth of resources and many welcoming faces for those getting involved for the first time.
So our familiar pre-session message comes with a twist. Work on the policy and funding issues of your choice. But educate yourself as to where and how those efforts should be directed. In some ways it will be a new ball game.
Learn about what is new and which state lawmakers represent you going forward.
And Happy Thanksgiving!
One more note:
Kudos to our Charlie Smith and Tim Benjamin award winners. This month’s paper is a few days late so that we could include our honorees. We hope you enjoy the coverage.
Forty years ago, Minnesota’s own Prince played at Gallaudet
In November 1984, students at Gallaudet University enjoyed a one-of-a-kind concert by Minnesota’s own Prince. The concert’s story is told on the Washington, D.C,-area history website Boundary Stones.
At the very pinnacle of his fame during the massively popular “Purple Rain” tour in 1984, Prince, the singular musical genius who masterfully blended rock, R&B, jazz, funk and pop, stopped to play a free concert for 1,900 students at Gallaudet University, the world-renowned school for the deaf. About 600 students with disabilities from D.C.-area schools were also invited.
By the time Prince's tour rolled into D.C. in November 1984, he had already scored two number one hits on the Billboard pop singles charts (“When Doves Cry” and “Let's Go Crazy”). “Purple Rain” was also climbing the charts (landing eventually at number two). The album Purple Rain had also reached
number one and sold more than 13 million copies by the end of the year. Prince and the Revolution were filling large arenas around the country. He was scheduled to play an amazing seven consecutive sold-out shows at the Capital Centre in Landover, MD. But before he left the Washington area, Prince had something very special in mind.
Working with legendary D.C.-area concert promoters Darryll Brooks and Carol Kirkendall, Prince arranged a surprise, free concert on the campus of Gallaudet University for November 29, 1984. According to the Washington Post, Prince requested to do the show for disabled students who would not otherwise be able to see or hear him perform. The performance was actually Prince's second charitable endeavor of the week. He also made a guest appearance at a fundraising event for Big Brothers of America.
Gallaudet officials kept the performance secret to avoid gatecrashers. As a result, many of the students had no idea until earlier that day that they would witness one of the most historic shows in Prince's storied career.
Although, according to the Washington Post, some of Prince's more risqué lyrics were “toned down” for this unique audience, Prince put on a full-length show including hits like “1999,” “Little Red Corvette” and “When Doves Cry” in the tiny Gallaudet Field House. American Sign Language interpreters were on hand to help the deaf crowd get into the music, but the loud pounding vibrations provided their own universal language.
As one of the Gallaudet students told the Post through an interpreter: “I had a lot of fun. I felt his music,” said Angela Maxey, 18. “I couldn’t hear the words, but I could feel the vibrations. Deaf people really appreciate and love loud music.”
Toward the end of the show Joan Lee, the wife of the president of Gallaudet College, and several students presented gifts to the 26-yearold performer. Then Prince returned to the stage for a rousing encore of the anthemic “Purple Rain.” Speaking to the Washington Post, Brooks later recalled of the show: “I had never seen so many hardcore road [crew] guys start crying ... I think even Prince broke a tear. It was one of those moments that those kids would never forget. And Prince wrote the check for the whole thing.” Prince Rogers Nelson died in 2016.
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.
DEADLINE: 15th of each month.
CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION: Distributed the 1st of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 750 copies are mailed to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders.
SUBSCRIPTION: Free and accessible to anyone in MInnesota, visit www.accesspress.org to subscribe. ABOUT ACCESS PRESS: A monthly newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd.
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Supporting your independence and choices with health insurance
Everyone has the right to make their own decisions about what is important to them.
Perhaps you need health care and other supports so you can be in charge of your health. Or maybe you want to be more independent by having a job and your own money. These are all important elements of leading the life you want. No matter what your goals are, having health insurance can support your independence and choices.
Why is it important to have health insurance?
Health insurance helps you get the care and supports you need. Routine and preventive health care can help prevent illnesses and manage long-term health issues. Long-term supports can help you stay in your home rather than in a nursing home or hospital.
Health insurance also can give you the peace of mind of knowing that you can access care when you need it and won’t face unexpected costs.
What is Medical Assistance?
Medical Assistance is the Medicaid program in Minnesota for people who have low incomes. People sometimes call it MA.
Medical Assistance has comprehensive coverage, including dental, vision and behavioral health services, translation and interpreter services, and transportation assistance to help you get to your appointments. It also covers doctor and hospital visits and prescription medications. Some people with disabilities also get Home and Community-Based Waiver services through Medical Assistance. Waivers help people get services they need to stay in their homes instead of a
nursing home or hospital.
Will I lose my Medical Assistance and waiver benefits if I work?
Many people with disabilities worry that if they work, they will lose their Medical Assistance and waiver services.
Although this fear is common, there might be a Medical Assistance benefit that works for you. People with disabilities who work may get health care coverage under a program called Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities, also known as MA-EPD.
MA-EPD has no upper income limit and no asset limit. That means you can work and enjoy the benefits of being employed without worrying about losing your health care.
People must pay a premium for MAEPD coverage. An American Indian or Alaska Native who provides proof of this is not required to pay a premium.
For more information, watch this three-minute video: https:// disabilityhubmn.org/media/omtfziw2/maepd-awareness.mp4
And visit this link: https://mn.gov/ dhs/people-we-serve/people-withdisabilities/health-care/health-careprograms/programs-and-services/maepd.jsp
What is the cost for Medical Assistance and MA-EPD?
People who have Medical Assistance
don’t have to pay any cost sharing. That means no copayments and no monthly premiums.
People who have MA-EPD may pay a monthly premium based on their income.
What other benefits are covered by Medical Assistance and MA-EPD?
Medical Assistance covers immunizations, prescription medications, annual physicals and emergency care.
Benefits also include pregnancy care (including doula care), well child visits, behavioral health services, individualized education plans (IEPs) in schools, Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services, family planning and substance use care.
MA-EPD covers the same services as standard Medical Assistance, but lets you have higher income without losing your coverage.
How do I sign up?
Connect with the Disability Hub at 866-333-2466 or https:// disabilityhubmn.org/ for help understanding your options. Resources are available to help you understand and take your next steps in applying.
If you have a disability, you can also apply for Medical Assistance and MAEPD by filling out the Minnesota Health Care Programs Application for Certain Populations at https://edocs.dhs.state. mn.us/lfserver/Public/DHS-3876-
ENG. Drop off or mail the completed application to your county or Tribal agency, which are listed here: https:// mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/peoplewith-disabilities/health-care/healthcare-programs/contact-us/county-tribaloffices.jsp.
What is a “renewal” and why is it important?
People who have Medical Assistance have an insurance “renewal” once a year. That’s when we review your income and other information to see if you and your family members still qualify for Medical Assistance.
Renewals happen every year, in the same month that you first signed up. For more information about renewals, and to look up your renewal date, go to https:// mn.gov/dhs/renewmycoverage/.
Some people will have their coverage renewed automatically, and some will have to fill out paperwork to keep their coverage.
Where can I go for more information?
• To connect with the Disability Hub, call 866-333-2466 or visit https:// disabilityhubmn.org/.
• For more information about Medical Assistance, visit https://mn.gov/dhs/ health-care-coverage/.
• For more information about MAEPD, visit https://mn.gov/dhs/peoplewe-serve/people-with-disabilities/healthcare/health-care-programs/programsand-services/ma-epd.jsp.
• For information about health care renewals, visit https://mn.gov/dhs/ renewmycoverage/.
Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services
Health insurance can support your independence and choices.
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
Preparing for 2025 advocacy at the capitol? Keep Access Press in mind
by Jane McClure
Much of my evening reading material these days centers on proposed legislation.
The Minnesota Legislature gavels into session January 7, 2025. Disability service groups and advocates have already put in many hours on proposals that they want written into state law.
Of course, program and funding requests are also top of mind as this is a budget session.
This issue of Access Press spotlights some of the legislative proposals coming out of Minnesota disability community. We’ll have more to come in subsequent issues. The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) is looking at more than 30 proposals alone.
Other groups are also putting finishing
HOUSING
From page 1
If approved the constitutional amendment would set up funds for home ownership, rental opportunity, and household and community stability support. It would provide $440 million annually and is touted as addressing the state’s housing crisis with a statewide systemic solution.
The proposal has legislative sponsors in place. The coalition is part of the larger Homes For All Coalition. That group is the statewide coalition that brings forward legislative proposals to improve housing policy and fund accessible affordable housing needs statewide.
Headlines around the state indicate how serious the housing crisis has become. Here are just a few examples around the state:
*The leadership of Minneappolis’ Agate Housing and Services announced the closing of its 42-bed shelter program and
SESSION
From page 1
limited assistance from MNCCD.
Several bills are making a return appearance this session. Here’s a look at a few.
The Best Life Alliance is back, seeking to enact needed reforms to the rate setting system for critical home and community based services. The intent is to make those positions more competitive with other industries competing for the same pool of potential employees in Minnesota. The bill would make changes to the base wage index by increasing the competitive workforce factor from 6.7 percent to 16.7 percent.
Jonathan Twedt of ARRM explained the legislation at a recent MNCCD meeting. It is supported by several disability service providers under the Best Life Alliance umbrella.
Minnesota based providers have difficulty hiring and retaining employees. The current turnover rate for direct support professionals (DSPs) within the first year of employment is more than 45 percent, with supervisors positions turning over at a rate of more than 20 percent.
Jobs aren’t competitive in this field when the work can be difficult, and the pay isn’t
touches on their agendas, lining up bill authors and spreading the word to allies. It’s a huge task to get ready for the session.
Here’s how we at Access Press can help:
*We welcome commentaries for the From Our Community pages. We ask that commentaries focus on legislation itself and what that legislation could mean for our readers. Think about what journalists call the five w’s and an h – who, what, when, where, why and how. Apply those rules to the legislation you are writing for or against.
In recent times we’ve heard from fewer groups. We’d like a greater variety of submission and more topics.
*If you need help writing, talk to me as the editor. We can talk about your topic, word length and other details. There are truly no
95-bed board and lodge program in August.
Agate Executive Director Kyle Hanson cited increasing financial pressure on nonprofits serving the homeless and lack of dollars available for a much-needed building rehabilitation as factors leading to the planned closure of the 100-year-old building.
The closing would have impacted 29 individuals living in shelter and 53 individuals living in low-barrier board and lodge units, and cause staff layoffs.
But the Minneapolis City Council stepped forward this fall to allocate $1.5 million toward Agate’s needs and match $1.5 million from a private donor. The city measure was criticized by Mayor Jacob Frey. The mayor pointed out that the city didn’t have the funding in its budget and the funds will have to be taken from other needs.
Agate sees part of its needs as temporary as the nonprofit is working with housing provider Trellis to open a new facility and replace 54 beds.
competitive. Compounding the issue is the current vacancy rates for DSP and supervisor positions at 20 percent and 10 percent respectively. This has led to more temporary workforce hires by providers, increased staffing issues, and the temporary or permanent closures of care facilities across the state.
The Best Life Alliance wants to update the disability waiver rate system, and work toward increasing the economic viability of such important caregiver positions. It also wants to increase the competitive workforce factor by more than 10 percent and use more up-to-date economic metrics to set base wages for supervisor positions via an independent Standard Ocupational Classification code, to help better set wages.
Elimination of the subminimum wage is another topic returning in 2025, with the goal of creating a sunset date for the use of Section 14 C Certificates in Minnesota to create a clear path forward to wage equity for people with disabilities in Minnesota.
Subminimum wages are allowed under certain circumstances, under federal law passed in the 1930s. The lower wages can be paid to people with disabilities. The topic is controversial. Advocates contend it is a matter of equity for work done. Foes fear people with
bad questions.
*When writing, don’t assume readers will know every detail of proposed legislation. The disability world had a lot of programs, acronyms and of course, different kinds of disabilities. Not everyone is familiar with everything. At times we serves as Disability 101. I’ve been writing about disabilities for many years and there are always some disabilities that are new to me.
*Do you use artificial intelligence or AI to write? Let me know. AI is quite the hot topic these days in the journalism world. While it can be amazing tool to do all kinds of work, news organizations including ours have to look at policies and procedures around AI on the news side. We also have to look at transparency when it is used.
*In St. Paul’s Midway area, neighbors and advocates are at odds over planned expansion of the Kimball Court building. The building is being expanded to house almost 100 residents. Many residents are transitioning out of homelessness. Some residents struggle with mental health and chemical dependency issues, and need low-barrier housing for a place to live.
The building has become a flashpoint as more people visit the neighborhood to buy and use opioids. A recent St. Paul Police Department report indicates that Kimball Court is the location for most of narcotics activity in the western part of St. Paul.
Kimball Court’s owner-operator, the interfaith group Beacon, points out that it has made changes to on-site security. Beacon leaders told neighbors recently that building renovation and expansion will improve security. But at a recent meeting that drew more than 350, some neighbors were skeptical.
*Washington County officials are planning
disabilities would lose some work opportunities.
The change has been on the drawing boards for many years. In 2020 advocates called for eliminating subminimum wage and creating a task force to work on a transition.
Legislation to create the task force passed in 2021. That work continued through 2022, with legislation passed in 2023 enacting many of the task force recommendations.
The gains included enhanced employment support services, improved case management training, and increased data collection and monitoring of employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
The only recommendation that was not passed was the sunset date for Section 14c.
Passage of a sunset date provision was narrowly blocked during the 2024 session, in the Senate.
Passage at the state level is seen as allowing for control of wage transition time, so that families and providers have ample time to transition to minimum wage or higher, including the integration of customized employment.
The Minnesota Coalition for Disability Wage Justice has 36 members.
A third returning measure is the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Despite having a large coalition of supporters including the
*Does your group have a rally day coming up, to draw attention to a particular disability or to pending legislation? Consider listing with our events online, going to the home page and using the tab at top far right for an online calendar post.
* Consider an online and/or print advertisement to promote your rally. We can help with that. Email us at ads@accesspress. org or call 651-644-2133 ext. 2.
I typically take a MNCCD day at the start of session to present information on how to work with news organizations around the state. My feeling is that all of us in the Minnesota community journalism universe need to work together. Contact me at jane@accesspress.org or 651644-2133 ext. 1 if you have questions.
that suburban county’s first accommodation and housing for residents experiencing homelessness. The building, which will be on the county’s government center campus in Stillwater, will have 30 units. Residents will have access to county supports and services, and help to transition to permanent housing.
*In Owatonna, the local Housing Trust Council is looking at plans for 10 new housing units to be dispersed through the Colonial Manor manufactured and mobile home park. Units would be owned and leased by the Owatonna Housing and Development Authority. The plan was developed by the advisory council for the Steele County Housing Trust Fund, which was established in 2023.
The Owatonna Peoples’ Press recently had an article about the housing, stating that more housing could be added in the future if funding can be found. Some housing units would be for people with mental health disabilities.
Minnesota Council on Disability, efforts failed during the 2024 session due to some state lawmakers claiming that there would be unintended consequences. The council is calling for Minnesotans with disabilities to be more active in the fight for the ERA. It would ensure constitutional protections against discrimination of marginalized groups. It also contains language specific to disability.
From a disability rights perspective, the ERA is seen as an important step toward intersectional equity, recognizing that people with disabilities often face compounded discrimination, the state council bill submission explained. The ERA would reinforce legal frameworks to address issues like accessibility, healthcare and economic inequality for Minnesotans with disabilities. This amendment could help close legal gaps that disproportionately affect disabled individuals, promoting a more inclusive and just society.
Editor Jane McClure prepared this month’s legislative coverage. More bills will be covered in future issues.
Another airport accommodation
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will create its first-ever sensory rooms to provide calming spaces designed to reduce the stress and sensory overload that often accompanies travel, ensuring a more positive experience for those who need it.
The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP, is partnering with Minnesota-based nonprofit Fraser to design the sensory rooms that will soon be built as part of two separate terminal expansion projects that will be completed by 2028.
“This is another major step to create a more accessible and inclusive airport experience, to help passengers with sensory sensitivities, or those who just need a quieter space to decompress before a flight,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC. “Through our Strategic Partnership program, we are expanding our relationship with Fraser, which has provided guidance and support to the MAC for many years to help us develop impactful accessibility programs and services at the airport.”
Fraser is an existing partner of the Navigating MSP program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, and participates on the MAC’s Travelers with Disabilities Advisory Committee.
“We are so honored to partner with MSP Airport to bring sensory-friendly spaces to individuals who need a different experience at the airport in order to travel,” said Fraser President and CEO Diane S. Cross. “Our partnership with MSP Airport is a big step toward making Minnesota sensory-friendly for all.”
The new sensory rooms are central to Fraser’s five-year commitment in the Strategic Partnership program, which was formally approved by the MAC board on September 16. Fraser has named Central Roofing Company a naming partner for the new spaces.
Jason Stock, CFO, VP, at Central Roofing Company said “My dad always told me that, as a parent, my job was to open doors for my
"Our partnership with MSP Airport is a big step toward making Minnesota sensoryfriendly for all."
- Fraser President/CEO Diane S. Cross
kids. I figure, if I’m opening a door, I should hold it open for others to go through. Central Roofing is proud to be a naming partner with Fraser in this project. These rooms will help so many travelers.”
One of the new sensory rooms will be built as part of the Terminal 2 North Expansion project opening in early 2027. A second sensory room will open in 2028 as part of the expansion of Terminal 1’s Concourse G, between gates G8 and G18. The sensory rooms will include features such as dimmable lighting, a variety of seating types and sensory-friendly furnishings.
The sensory room partnership will broaden the reach of MSP’s passenger accessibility program, which holds the highest level of accreditation by Airports Council International (ACI), a global organization representing more than 1,900 airports in 170 countries.
The accessibility certification recognizes MSP’s programs, policies, infrastructure design and services. This includes a growing number of accessible restrooms with adult changing tables, audio navigation featuring the Aira Airport Network for those with visual impairments, the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program for passengers to selfidentify to receive assistance for special needs, visual messaging, and video relay interpretation for those who use American Sign Language.
MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the United States having served 34.7 million travelers in 2023.
HealthPartners® Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) (HMO SNP)
Enjoy coverage for medical, prescription drugs and dental. Plus, many extra benefits like:
Up to $300 annual over-the-counter allowance to buy eligible health, dental and well-being items
Call 877-778-7898 (TTY 711) to find out if you’re eligible. Oct. 1 to March 31: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, seven days a week; April 1 to Sept. 30: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.
law. HealthPartners will accept all eligible Beneficiaries who select or are assigned to HealthPartners without regard to medical condition, health status, receipt of health care services, claims experience, medical history, genetic information, disability (including mental or physical impairment), marital status, age, sex (including sex
Service providers to use state grants to aid those living with dementia
Thirty-seven organizations across Minnesota will use $4.4 million in state grant funds to support creativity and innovation as they assist people living with dementia-related illness.
Increasing awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the focus of the competitive grants, which are administered by the Minnesota Board on Aging.
“We celebrate the wonderful ideas offered by these grant applicants,” said Maureen Schneider, chair of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “Families dealing with dementiarelated issues need our love and support. Sharing these funds with so many providers can make a difference for caregivers and those living with dementia.”
The Minnesota Legislature has appropriated $750,000 in dementia grant funding each year since 2015. Additional onetime funding was recently added to support the expansion and improvement of respite services across the state.
Grants and the work supported are listed by region.
Southern Minnesota
Bridges Health, Winona, $149,000. Winona State University health sciences students will be part of a project in integrating dementia awareness and caregiver support into Bridges mobile operations, reaching three southeastern counties.
Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota, Winona, $31,000. Evidence-based health promotion and caregiving support programs for persons with memory loss and their family and friend caregivers will be offered in 10 counties in southern and southeastern Minnesota.
Family Service Rochester, Rochester, $132,000. Funding will allow continuing work to place dementia care specialists in senior centers and health care clinics, to help caregivers identify and secure services and expand a pool of volunteer respite providers trained in respite and education support tools.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (LSS), $140,000. In partnership with Olmsted Medical Center in Rochester, LSS will use funding to support in-home, dementiaspecific respite for up to 100 caregivers in eight southeastern Minnesota counties.
Madonna Towers - Benedictine Living Community, Rochester, $234,000. Project staff will take advanced dementia capability training and certification. Funding also will support a sliding-scale overnight respite option for Rochester-area family and friend caregivers of people with dementia.
Central and northern Minnesota
A Home for the Day Adult Day Center, St. Cloud, $40,000. Funding will support adult day respite services and community outings, dementia education for family and friend caregivers and dementia education for staff, including respite training.
Age Well Arrowhead, Duluth, $250,000. Funding will support the hiring of 10 or more certified respite care providers to increase the availability of in-home respite for dementia caregivers in the greater Duluth area.
Breath of Life Adult Day Service, Brainerd, $50,000. The grant will support bridge funding for adult day respite services for persons with dementia and their family and friend caregivers.
Central Minnesota Dementia Community Action Network, St. Cloud, $120,000. Funding will support comprehensive dementia education, screening and service navigation, dementia awareness education and respite services for persons with dementia and their family-friend caregivers in Stearns, Benton and Wadena counties.
Community Partners Living at Home Program, Two Harbors, $114,000. The project will offer dementia education and awareness programming for the community and offer family and friend caregivers of persons with dementia engagement and respite support options to reduce isolation.
Health Equity Northland, Duluth, $50,000. With a focus on the African-American and African heritage community, Health Equity Northland will increase dementia community awareness and education; adapt or create culturally relevant screening tools; conduct in-home wellness visits; and pilot strategies for culturally relevant activities and programs for people in Duluth care facilities.
Horizon Health, Pierz, $50,000. Serving primarily Morrison County, the effort will continue respite-focused outings for people with memory loss and their family or friend caregivers. The successful model will be
expanded into Todd County, an area lacking in dementia-specific services.
Koochiching Aging Options, International Falls, $39,000. Funding will support continuing the Dementia Friendly initiative; offer one-to-one support and resource navigation for dementia caregivers; and increase the Connect Café and Memory Café attendance. The program serves all of Koochiching County.
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living, Duluth, $80,000. The project will leverage expertise in adaptive technologies and occupational therapies to connect family and friend caregivers with assistive technology, caregiver resources and cognitive screening.
Montevideo Area Memory Loss Network, Montevideo, $49,000. The project will offer dementia awareness and education via virtual dementia tours. It will also develop a weekly newspaper series about cognitive health, memory loss, support for caregivers and area resources; and launch a facilitated support group. It will cover four counties.
Northwoods Caregivers, Bemidji, $141,000. Funding will increase the availability of affordable respite and other supportive services to family and friend caregivers of persons with dementia in multiple northwestern Minnesota counties and Tribal areas.
Tri-Community Living at Home Program, Newfolden, $50,000. The program serves far northwestern Minnesota. It will enable the expansion of dementia capability services and caregiving support by piloting a memory café model; creating and distributing caregiving to go kits for dementia caregivers; and obtaining advanced staff training in dementia care and innovation.
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Crookston, $50,000. The project, serving an 11-county area, will offer community dementia awareness and education sessions; provide staff training and dementia specialist credentialing; and pilot a peer-to-peer caregiver support group.
Volunteer Services of Carlton County, Carlton, $250,000. Funding will support 2,500 hours of respite service through the DayBreak Group Respite in Carlton and St.
Louis counties and explore adding another group respite program for caregivers in Pine County.
Wadena County Public Health, Wadena, $50,000. Working with community and clinical partners, project leaders will provide dementia education, awareness and resources to residents and offer dementia caregivers access to caregiver education and support, including respite education.
Western Prairie Human Services, Glenwood, $24,000. Funding will enable the offering of a volunteer-powered Memory Makers group respite program in two locations.
Twin Cities
African Career, Education, and Resources (ACER), Brooklyn Park, $50,000. The project will develop a resource booklet to fill a gap in culturally informed dementia awareness, dementia education and care resources for the African immigrant community in Minnesota and elsewhere.
CAPI USA, Brooklyn Center, $179,000. Continued development of the Hmong Folk Chorus will provide socialization and caregiver respite for Hmong-speaking elders
in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Centro Tyrone Guzman, Minneapolis, $50,000. Centro will create a new evidenceinformed dementia awareness and care curriculum for the Spanish-speaking community. The project is in partnership with the University of Minnesota Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation.
Cherished Services, Fridley, $50,000. Cherished Services will provide culturally tailored dementia capability training to professional and family and friend caregivers of persons with memory loss in the East African community. The organization will also pilot CareConnect, a multi-language scheduling application.
Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio (CLUES), St. Paul, $120,000. CLUES will continue its flexible and accessible Mayores Mejores group program for isolated Latino elders that builds community, engages in brain-healthy activities and provides custom caregiver navigation support.
DARTS, West St. Paul, $195,000. DARTS will build on its two successful group dementia-capable respite locations, adding a third Breathing Space location in Dakota County to meet the needs of caregivers currently on wait lists for respite.
Division of Indian Work, Minneapolis, $150,000. Through its Mikwendaagozi (“To Be Remembered”) Project, the Division of Indian Work will develop culturally specific dementia education and resources to use in education sessions for non-Native providers.
Holistic Array of Authentic Services (HAAS), Golden Valley, $50,000. Funds will support culturally responsive dementia education and awareness, as well as respite education and support to older Oromo and Ethiopian adults and their family and friend caregivers in greater Minneapolis.
LiveLife Therapy Solutions, Bloomington, $34,000. Focusing on underserved dementia caregivers in rural areas, LiveLife Therapy Solutions will offer a series of presentations on the use of person-centered assistive technology to benefit people with dementia and their families and caregivers.
Metropolitan Community Services,
ACCESS PRESS AWARDS
disabilities, Daly said.
One theme through the event is that support for quality disability-focused journalism not only helps provide information and helps community members organize around issues, it also allows Access Press to highlight the work of those who serve the community.
Smith believes in meaningful work
The 2024 Charlie Smith Founders Award was given to a woman who was able to put the pieces of together and help people with disabilities lead more sustainable lives.
Barbara Smith’s leadership in founding the Work Incentives Connection has helped countless Minnesotans.
Nominator Anita Boucher said she initially didn’t consider nominating anyone, saying that it sounded like too much work. “Then I read the definition of the Charlie Smith Founder’s Award and thought, ‘That’s Barb Smith!’”
While most people can identify a problem, Boucher said most aren’t as effective at finding and implementing solutions. In the 1990s, Smith saw that people with disabilities needed information about the impact of work on benefits. She drew on her vision, initiative, skills and expertise to create the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection. Now under the umbrella of Goodwill/Easter Seals, it serves people with all types of disabilities throughout Minnesota. Smith not only brought in quality staff, she held to a focus on ensuring that people could be confident of being better off when they worked.
“This year, the Work Incentives Connection is celebrating its 25th anniversary, so it’s fitting we are celebrating its founder,” Boucher said.
Smith expressed gratitude, and said that she regards the Charlie Smith Award as her lifetime achievement award. She is a unique nominee in that she worked with Access Press founder Smith years ago and considered him to be one of her teachers when learning about disabilities.
“Charlie had a soft voice, but when he
talked about people with disabilities, everyone listened because he was passionate, articulate and persistent. I admired him for that . . . (The award) is especially meaningful because it comes in Charlie’s name and because of who he was as a person and an advocate. It’s also meaningful because of the importance of the Work Incentives Connection to me,” she said.
Smith launched her career working with people living with mental illness. She quickly noticed how complicated life could be for her clients.
Everyone in the program had some combination of government benefits and also worked part-time. “I learned quickly about the complications and misinformation that existed about work and benefits and how they discouraged people with disabilities from working,” she said. “My thought was, wouldn’t it be nice if there was a resource for people to get accurate, understandable information? This thought was the seed of a dream program.”
Smith called the founding of Work Incentives Connection a “dream program come true” and the highlight of her 40plus years of working with Minnesotans with disabilities. She thanked Boucher for helping write the proposal for initial funding and then building a solid long-term infrastructure for program.
She also thanked Work Incentives Connection staff and expressed pride and thanks for their hard work. She urged everyone to keep the program going.
Pranghofer helped those who also want to play
The 2024 Tim Benjamin Sustainers Award was given to a pioneer in Minnesota adapted sports. Nominator Jim Muckenheim spoke of the many impressive things Paul Pranghofer has done, from adaptive sports to numerous mission service trips abroad.
Pranghofer recently retired after a long career as an official in and champion of adapted sports for children in Minnesota and around the world. “Paul has been an integral part of the adapted sports programs for so long, I never anticipated him retiring,” Muckenheim said.
Muckenheim said he has been blessed with
the opportunity to be a part of the adapted sports programs for 25 years and has known Pranghofer for most of that time. “At first, I just thought he was just another official and someone who we could question the calls he made during games,” Muckenheim said. But as they became friends and crossed paths, Muckenheim also learned about Pranghofer and his wife Maureen’s long commitment to community service. The two are a strong and effective team.
“For a person that is not easy impressed, I was impressed,” Muckenheim said. During his time with the Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association, the board created the Paul Pranghofer Officials Award. Muckenheim also nominated Pranghofer for the Minnesota State High School League’s Distinguished Officials award, which he was presented with during the 2024 boys’ basketball state tournament.
Pranghofer’s involvement with Minnesota adapted sports not only includes four years of coaching and 40 years as an adaptive spots official, he also served as a board member and officer on the Minnesota Association of Adaptive Athletics for 15-plus years. He has also been a leader on the board of and a participant in activities of the sports nonprofit We Love to Play.
His experiences include many state
championship games including a floor hockey game that went into four overtimes.
His philosopher as a person with disability and adapted sports leader was to make a difference for the athletes and provide an example of what is possible. He treated adapted sports contenders as athletes and not as disabled students.
“I didn’t take a lot of guff,” he said. Pranghofer stuck to the rules and didn’t shy away from issuing penalties. He didn’t treat student-athletes with pity.
“Forty years working with high school athletes just flew by,” Pranghofer said. When he began his career only a handful of teams existed. “They played each other a lot.” Now schools across the state have adapted sports.
Pranghofer credits his Minneapolis Marshall University High School teacher and coach Ed Prohofsky for his love of sports. Prohofsky, who died earlier this year, was a key figure in the start of adapted prep sports. “Because of him I have a love of just about any sport,” Pranghofer said.
He also spoke of his mission trips around the world, and the pride he felt in seeing an athlete he knows from Haiti serving as that country’s flag bearer in the Paralympics.
Read more about the winners and the many worthy nominees at www.accesspress.org
Award nominees gathered as a group.
Emcee Mark Daly shared a laugh with the crowd.
The spacious Great Hall at Metropolitan State University was a lovely venue.
Guests enjoyed delicious appetizers.
ACCESS PRESS AWARDS
Paul Pranghofer and emcee Mark Daly enjoyed the presentation.
Nominee Liza Robson is recognized.
Barb Smith showed off her award.
Nominee Larissa Beck, center, is recognized.
The Metropolitan State University Great Hall offers impressive views
dramatic setting.
PHOTOGRAPHY
MELANIE METZ
Lynda Milne asked John Clark to discuss the importance of Access Press.
Dylan Ockwig, Jasmine Kodi-Peters and Drew Ockwig watched as volunteers set up for the event.
Board Chair Jane Larson quizzed the crowd.
Emcee Mark Daly and Board Vice Chair Lynda Milne kept the program moving.
Board member Catherine Hunter and her son Dylan Ockwig enjoyed the event.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE METZ
Jim Muckenheim introduced award winner Paul Pranghofer.
Ex-staffer says medical marijuana patients face turmoil at state agency
A former employee of one of Minnesota’s newest state agencies says more than half of her team quit during a pivotal time this summer at the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), forcing medical marijuana patients to wait weeks for their medication.
The insider’s experience sheds light on the culture and working conditions at OCM as the agency took over the medical cannabis program and prepares to launch recreational sales next spring.
“We all loved our jobs. We wanted to stay,” said Kim Kraai, who started in the medical cannabis program when Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was in charge.
The new state law moved the program –and its employees – from MDH to OCM over the summer.
“I have no idea why they didn’t just leave the medical cannabis program intact as it was,” Kraai said.
She told 5 INVESTIGATES that she was part of a team of eight people that approved medical cannabis certifications. Until recently, the state required patients to go through the certification process every year.
As soon as the move to OCM took place, Kraai said everything went downhill fast.
“They told us, hey, you’re coming into our house, you’re going to play by our rules,” she said. “The medical cannabis program had been up and running for quite a long time. It was working fine. We processed the
Mental health and wellness staff eyed
Pending final approval of the 2025 Rogers city budget in December, the Rogers City Council October 8 agreed to the Police Department's request to begin the recruitment process for a mental health and wellness coordinator position. The council had included the Police Department's request in the city's proposed preliminary 2025 levy
Rogers Police Chief Dan Wills told the council the coordinator would “assist the department with ongoing identification and intervention for individuals with mental health, medical and substance abuse needs who have contact with law enforcement, fire or EMS.”
The position, slated to be filled by January 2025, would “coordinate routinely with other professionals/services, and follow up on behavioral health case management services.” It also will serve department employees in accessing on-site therapy services as needed and/or wanted, Wills said.
For the last 18 months, the Rogers Police Department has used the Hennepin County Embedded Social Worker program, which has involved five different social workers, Willis said. Rogers paid 60 percent of the program's cost, Wills said, adding that 400 residents received help during that time.
Wills said the program has been a gamechanger for the police. Rogers is one of the last three cities in Hennepin County to take on the program.
A mental health coordinator based solely in Rogers would assist in debriefing police, fire officers and community members following a crisis, and coordinating Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), Wills said. (Source: Crow River News) Lack of facilities cited
Young people are being locked up for weeks at a time in juvenile detention because of a lack of secure residential facilities.
Across the state, child welfare advocates say they cannot find adequate, timely rehabilitative services for the kids who need them the most.
So Minnesota children with complex mental health needs — often those who also have a history of aggressive behavior or low IQs — languish in juvenile detention and emergency rooms, are transported to out-ofstate facilities or sent home to family members incapable of managing their severe behavioral disorders. The situation has reached a crisis point in Hennepin County, where at least 21 youths have been ruled incompetent by the court this year, stalling pending delinquency cases and preventing accountability through the juvenile justice system.
Psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF) serve kids with complex mental
applications within a day or two.”
Kraai said OCM management refused to honor the team’s previous remote-work schedule, and was not interested in feedback or collaboration.
She said her team of eight quickly dwindled to just three. Kraai was the last to resign, in mid-August.
The staff that remained struggled to keep up with the thousands of patients who submitted paperwork to get certified for another year, leading to the backlog 5 INVESTIGATES first reported on. The certification process used to take a day or two.
“I just went through 26 days of not having it,” said Jason LeCuyer, who is diagnosed with HIV and was prescribed cannabis to help with pain.
This summer he was trapped in the backlog at OCM for nearly a month.
“If it has such great benefits and can help people, let’s not make them wait for it,” he said.
Kraai said she dreaded explaining to patients that her hands were tied.
“They were very distraught, oftentimes weeping, very upset,” she said. “I had heard at one point somebody saying, why are you withholding my medication?”
OCM declined a request for an on-camera interview.
In a statement, Josh Collins, an agency spokesperson, said the move of the medical cannabis program from MDH to OCM
health needs, but they can't meet demand. This small subset of minors is responsible for a disproportionate number of cases in Minneapolis, police and prosecutors agree, fueling a cycle of catch-and-release exacerbated by the dearth of placement options.
Although the number of kids entering the juvenile justice or social services systems with complex needs has grown in recent years, the number of licensed residential treatment facility beds for children has shrunk by more than a third since 2005. Few new ones have emerged to fill the gap for juveniles who require the kind of intensive therapy not available through community-based programs, or those who have absconded from lower-level facilities.
“I will be blasted for this, but sometimes you are hoping the kid commits a crime because then there’s a place for them to go where you’re not worried where they’re going to sleep tonight,” said Benjamin Stromberg, an assistant St. Louis County attorney whose office handles child protection and juvenile delinquency cases. “Nobody wants these kids in detention — we all understand that. But sometimes it’s the one place where they are not going to be hurting anybody or hurting themselves.”
Psychiatric residential treatment facilities, known as PRTFs, are one step below hospitalization and are supposed to take children with severe aggression, who present a safety risk to themselves or others. This year 281 young people were referred for placement in the four such facilities in the state, according to Department of Human Services (DHS) data, but only 66 got in.
(Source: Star Tribune)
Woman’s family seeks answers
On a normal family vacation to Savannah Portage State Park, Tonya Yarmakov disappeared suddenly during a September day at the boat dock. Her family presumes that the 23-year-old has died.
Family members were on a board on September 4 when they saw Yarmakov get up from her favorite lawn chair and run into the nearby woods.
The young woman from Dundas lived with autism and Type 1 diabetes. Despite extensive searches she has not been found. Her family presumes she has died without her medication. There is question as to whether or not she was abducted.
Yarmakov was an advocate for other girls and young people like herself with "uniqueness" like autism, even writing to the New Moon Girls Publication in 2019 to tell her story. In it, she describes herself as a social butterfly who loves hiking, biking, camping, and spending time with her friends.
Weeks after the incident, her family
“triggered an increase to the natural attrition that occurs in any organization undergoing substantial change.”
The agency previously blamed the backlog on IT issues, a busy July, and a change in state law that makes it easier to qualify for medical cannabis.
To speed up the process, OCM changed the rules so patients only need to recertify every
believes it's unlikely she could have survived all this time, and her obituary has been written and published. But they are still seeking answers, some closure. They still speak about her in the present tense.
Her family and law enforcement spent the next weeks bringing in search parties, dogs, drones, ATV's, planes, and boats to comb the landscape, but they found no trace of her.
The search providing zero evidence of her, especially in the beginning hours, created a sense of suspicion within the family.
Although authorities continue to do whatever they can to find her within the park, they are now trying to spread the word to neighboring communities and other cities in Minnesota to get Tonya Yarmakov’s name and face to the public, in case anyone has information about her disappearance.
(Source: Faribault Daily News)
Peer recovery service ends
One of Minnesota’s largest peer recovery service providers shut down this fall amid fraud allegations, leaving roughly 1,000 clients — and hundreds of staff — in the lurch.
State officials and providers across Minnesota are racing to fill the gaps left by the abrupt closure of Minneapolis-based Kyros. The for-profit technology company had a staff of hundreds of peer recovery specialists who lived through addiction and provided services, including one-on-one mentoring and helping people access resources — ranging from housing to employment.
“I am really worried about the people who are going to fall through the cracks here,” said Philip Rutherford, who helped start peer recovery in the state a decade ago and works at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Kyros also offered telehealth services and virtual substance use assessments — a first step in getting someone Medicaid-covered
three years instead of every year.
“They bought themselves some time,” Kraai said, adding that if they didn’t make that change they would have been in violation of state law that requires certifications be approved within 30 days.
The agency said it met that deadline for all patients.
(Source: KSTP-TV)
treatment. Many other recovery organizations relied on the company’s digital platform to run their businesses.
The state Department of Human Services (DHS) inspector general said this year that the department was investigating Kyros and an affiliated nonprofit, Refocus Recovery. Kyros clients said their insurance was billed for services they did not receive, and a KARE 11 series put a spotlight on questionable practices at the company.
Refocus Recovery submitted claims for 1,418 clients for July and August, the DHS said.
The department halted payments to the nonprofit. Refocus Recovery has suspended work and “our whole mission set is up in the air right now,” said Matt McLane, the nonprofit’s managing and interim executive director.
He said the nonprofit has canceled its service agreement with Kyros and has been an “open book.” He said Refocus Recovery has long cooperated with the state but that DHS did not work with the service to ensure an orderly outcome.
According to a voicemail at Kyros’ office, the company closed its Minneapolis headquarters Sept. 19. Its website also lists a program in Ohio.
“This decision did not come without concern for our assessors, peers and the clients we serve. The impact to lives with this decision breaks our heart,” the automated message says.
DHS has created a list of support resources to help former Kyros and Refocus Recovery clients, and is talking with the organizations’ lawyers about how to help clients transition to new providers, a department spokesman said. DHS is also making a long-term plan for supporting people affected by the sudden closure.
(Source:
Star Tribune)
Outstanding employees who make a big difference are feted at Rise
The social services agency Rise has honored outstanding workers by presenting two employee awards: Champion of the Mission and Excellence in Leadership. The 2024 winners were honored at the annual employee recognition party, held in Mounds View this fall.
Every month, Rise collects nominations and selects several Champions of the Month. It is from this group of outstanding employees that a committee chose the following three award recipients.
Tim Fahey is a lead direct support professional in Crystal. He has supported people with disabilities his entire career, which has now spanned more than 40 years. Fahey came to Rise about seven years ago and immediately became an essential part of the staff. He has taken on many extra tasks due to staffing shortages this past year, including filling in to cover for a vacant LPN position.
Lori Stellick-Wagner joined Rise about four years ago. With a background in childcare and teaching, she brings equal parts of compassion and experience to her role as a case manager. Stellick-Wagner has a contagious enthusiasm for her work. She worked hard over the past year as Rise transitioned to a new system.
Ron Woolcott has been with Rise for more than 22 years. As a driver, he ensures that everyone can get where they need to be each day. He also excels at overcoming the daily challenges the transportation teams face. He is an excellent trainer, and helps plan transportation routes. He has such an eye for safety that on a ride-along, even the stuffed animals are buckled in.
The Rise Excellence in Leadership Award was given to three outstanding managers and leaders who contribute positively to Rise each year.
Bryant Corrigan cares about the customer experience. As a program manager in Oakdale, this past year he has placed emphasis on the “why” of work. He has been talking with DSPs about why they do their
jobs, why they matter, and how they affect people at Oakdale. It all started when Corrigan noticed a detachment between DSPs and people they supported. He was concerned that it contributed to negative experiences for clients. He worked with his manager to develop approaches to give feedback and drive purpose throughout the team. He now regularly includes conversations about purpose and vision during meetings
with DSPs, case managers and supervisors. They talk about positive first impressions, program strengths, and consistency in following up with prospects.
Amanda Dircks is always on the go through her role as a CBTE program supervisor where she supports SET sites at several longstanding business partners. One partner has had several changes and
Katie McNamara leads at New Richmond with a steady hand, creating an environment of support and trust among teammates and people served. She works hard to provide opportunities that allow people to succeed. And she encourages people to advocate for themselves at home, in their communities and at work. New Richmond’s Life Enrichment programs have also flourished under her leadership. She is also connected to the New Richmond community, where she regularly attends local chamber meetings, and creates relationships that lead to new and exciting community-based activities for clients.
Booth Manor receives key grant
The Salvation Army’s Booth Manor senior housing facility near downtown Minneapolis has been awarded a $347,500 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) as part of its Live Well at Home grant program. The funding will support critical renovations and upgrades at the facility, ensuring that Booth Manor’s senior residents can continue to live safely and comfortably in their existing homes.
The Live Well at Home program is designed to help Minnesota's older adults, aged 60 and older, remain independent while addressing the growing demands on the state’s long-term care system. With Minnesota’s aging population increasing, the need for adequate and sustainable senior housing is greater than ever. Booth Manor has been selected for this grant due to its longstanding commitment to providing affordable housing and comprehensive services to seniors in need.
Manor to update 32 of its residential units with ADA-compliant bathrooms, improving challenges. Additionally, the facility will upgrade its security systems, install new
Bryant Corrigan
Rise CEO Lynn Noren, Amanda Dircks, Rise Chief Program Officer Tim Dickie
PEOPLE AND PLACES To page 13
Lori Stellick-Wagner.
Katie McNamara
Ron Woolcott Tim Fahey
Minnesota businesses win kudos for providing meaningful employment
The Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) is recognizing four Minnesota businesses as Outstanding Disability Employers.
The honorees consist of large and small companies from a variety of industries across the state.
“Hiring and retaining employees of all abilities strengthens diversity, fosters inclusion, and adds creative energy to the state’s workforce,” said Robin Harkonen, president of MOHR and executive director of East Range DAC. “While thousands of businesses in Minnesota employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, our honorees go the extra mile to foster inclusive environments and ensure their employees with disabilities are given opportunities to grow.”
The 2024 Outstanding Disability Employers are:
• Herb + Arrow - Wabasha, nominated by Wabasha County DAC
• Family Fresh Market - St. Peter, nominated by MRCI
• Trader Joes – Bloomington, nominated by Partnership Resources, Inc.
• BWBR – St. Paul, nominated by Partnership Resources, Inc.
MOHR’s disability employer recognition coincides with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. Established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945, the month serves as a call for Americans with disabilities to be granted access to the opportunities and rewards of employment. The awards are one of the ways MOHR recognizes the valuable role that organizations play in employing people with disabilities and providing them with a sense of community and accomplishment.
“People with disabilities across Minnesota gain independence, purpose, and community when they are included in the workforce,” said Harkonen. “Employment is an invaluable contributor to quality of life.”
The Wabasha County DAC, based in the city of Wabasha, nominated Herb + Arrow Bar Kitchen for Outstanding Disability Employer to recognize a longstanding and positive work relationship. The business owners made sure client Jenny was included as part of their work family. Jenny has worked there since their doors opened in October 2021. Staff trained Jenny in a way to ensure she would be successful in her role, allow her to be a part of their social media and marketing efforts, and continue to make sure she feels like she belongs there.
The staff at Herb + Arrow have set the bar for how an employer should work with their employees with disabilities, and should serve as a model organization for other businesses to emulate.
Herb + Arrow is women, veteran and family owned and operated. It features fresh and flavorful dishes in a cozy environment, in Wabasha’s historic downtown district. Herb + Arrow Bar Kitchen opened in October of 2021 by cousins Danielle Sorenson and Heather Packer.
MRCI nominated its longtime employment and training partner, Family Fresh Market of St. Peter.
Clients from MRCI who work at Family Fresh Market take on tasks including bagging groceries, stocking shelves, assisting with plant care in the garden center, and
maintaining the dining area. These roles help clients gain valuable work experience and keep the store running smoothly. Where Family Fresh Market goes the extra mile is in creating a welcoming environment for employees with disabilities. The company actively recruits and hires people with disabilities, offers regular check-ins and support from management as well as necessary accommodations such as modified workstations and flexible schedules, and provides employees with training on how to support their colleagues with disabilities.
Family Fresh Market also collaborates with MRCI's Bridge to the Future, a transition program for students wanting to acquire skills and knowledge about competitive jobs in the community and build their resume and confidence. The partnership includes customized training sessions to meet the specific needs and abilities of each participant, and skills development work.
Partnership Resources, Inc. nominated two employers. For more than 11 years, Trader Joe’s Bloomington store leadership
has worked with Partnership Resources to employ people with disabilities. As an employer, the company embodies its mission to create a sense of community, ensuring that each employee is supported and given opportunities to grow.
The individuals employed at Trader Joe’s are trained in every area of the store, including but not limited to assisting customers, cashiering, stocking the shelves, collecting carts and running the sample booths. As the individuals begin work, they are assigned a mentor who they know they can ask questions and get support from. Trader Joe’s management also regularly checks in with the employee, adjusting shift lengths or job tasks as needed. For example, when one individual had difficulty stocking
the bottom shelf of canned goods, Trader Joe's and job coach reviewed options and switched the individual to stock the frozen section instead, allowing the worker to stand and be more comfortable while working. Also nominated by Partnership Resources is BWBR. The best employers genuinely care about the people who work for them. BWBR, a team of professionals specializing in commercial architecture, interior design, planning, and research, is the perfect example of this. For seven years, BWBR has worked with Partnership Resources to employ Kat as an office assistant. Her tasks vary from day to day, but generally include cleaning and stocking the conference rooms and the lunch area, and other assignments. She has her own workstation with a computer and a company email to connect with her colleagues.
One day, Kat didn't show up to work. The team at BWBR was concerned and called her to find out where she was. Then, when she didn't answer her phone, Kat’s emergency contacts were called. She was at home, incapacitated, and was rushed to a hospital. She remained there for several months undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. BWBR supported her every step of the way, keeping her job open by hiring a temporary worker and staying in touch with her and her family. When she was ready to return to her job, BWBR worked with both Kat and the temporary worker to create a cohesive work environment and transition back into the office environment.
“BWBR is an outstanding disability employer because of the care and support they provide to the individual they employ,” said Lena McDowall, a designated coordinator at Partnership Resources, Inc. “During her sudden and long illness, they waited for her to regain strength to return to the position that means so much to her. They consistently demonstrate that she is valued and truly part of the team.”
Family Fresh Market, St. Peter, was honored.
Jenny, Herb + Arrow
Kat, center, with coworkers
Trader Joe's
PCA College Service Corps offers option for workers, those they serve
As Minnesota and states nationwide face an urgent direct care crisis with a growing personal care assistants (PCA) job gap to meet the needs of people who rely on PCAs for daily living, a new program holds promise in bringing together higher education and the disabilities communities in advancing a culture of care for profound, long-lasting solutions. The PCA College Service Corps offers a path for college students to strengthen their professional credentials, develop personal bonds with members of the disability community, earn a livable wage, and receive a (taxable) bonus incentive award, all while playing a pivotal role in addressing the critical need for direct care providers in our communities.
The PCA College Service Corps, facilitated by the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), is open to students 18 or older currently enrolled in post-secondary education in Minnesota. Students can commit to ten-, twenty-, or thirty-week options, spending an average of 10 hours per week working as a Personal Care Assistant. Upon approval of their application, students are matched with Participants who are part of the Minnesota PCA program, are assessed at 10 or more hours of PCA assistance per day, direct their own care and are also accepted into the PCA College Service Corps program. Once a match is made, the student is introduced to the Participant’s PCA provider and is hired directly by their agency. Training, guidance, and mentoring are provided. In addition to their competitive hourly wage, students can earn between $1,500 and $4,500 as a (taxable) incentive bonus award, depending on their level of program participation. The program is funded by the State of Minnesota and the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation Fund of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation.
“We are extremely pleased with the initial implementation of the PCA College Service Corps and thrilled to learn of several post-secondary institutions who
PEOPLE AND PLACES
From page 11
fencing for safety, and update lighting with energy-efficient LED fixtures. Renovations will also include fresh flooring and painting in all the building’s common areas.
“The updates and renovations this grant will fund are essential to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for our residents,” said Catherine Blonigen, Salvation Army Twin Cities social services director. “Many of our building’s original fixtures and finishes are at the end of their useful life. These improvements will significantly enhance the safety, well-being, and quality of life for our senior community, who deserve the very best care and attention.”
“We are pleased and grateful to be able to partner with DHS on this important and needed project,” said Lt. Colonel Randall Polsley, Salvation Army Northern division commander. “Public/private partnerships like this one ideally demonstrate the power of working together to improve the lives of our deserving Minnesota seniors.”
The Salvation Army will match the state's funds dollar-for-dollar, resulting in a total of $695,000 for the project. The renovations are expected to be completed over the next
are assessing how to offer college credits for the experiential learning offered to their students who seek to participate in the College Service Corps program,” said MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA. “This groundbreaking program provides a sustainable, scalable solution to address the dire need for direct care services, not only in Minnesota, but it can be replicated across the country.” Bethke Gomez continued, “The PCA CSC offers students flexible work hours, training and valued experiential learning, camaraderie with fellow program participants, and the chance to forge deep personal relationships with those they serve. We are moved by the students who are heeding the call to embrace a ‘culture of care,’ a shared commitment to the common good, and the chance to make a difference in others’ lives and our
two years, ensuring that Booth Manor continues to be a vibrant and secure home for its residents.
Walz administration announces appointments
Gov, Tim Walz and Lt. Gov Peggy Flanagan have announced appointed to several state boards, commission and committees, including group that serve Minnesotans with disabilities.
Mary Cahill, St. Paul, replaces Michael Tripple on the Board of Executives for Longterm Services and Supports.
The Minnesota Commission on the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing has new at-large members. They are Adrienne Haugen , Olivia; Alison Mehlhorn, Oakdale; Aaron Peterson, Warren; Samantha Porter, Minneapolis, and Karla Sand, Maplewood.
The commission also has two new members. Barry Siebert, St. Paul, replaces Dave McAuliffe. Julie Svatos, Eveleth, replaces Maisie Blaine. Both are regional representatives.
The Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council also has a new member. Amy McClellan, St. Paul, replaces Gloria Lafriniere
Linda Giersdorf, Mankato, is a new
community. We are deeply grateful to the colleges and universities for taking a leadership role in advancing a ‘culture of care’ and promoting this program on their campuses in support of people with disabilities who rely upon PCAs.”
“Disability offices and campus partners can promote the availability of the PCA College Service Corps to students with disabilities and to students who wish to serve as PCAs,” said Enjie Hall, University of Minnesota Director, Disability Resource Center Twin Cities and ADA Coordinator, Office for Equity and Diversity. “The program directly addresses the need for personal care support, which will benefit students at the U of M or other institutions who rely on PCA services to participate in campus life more fully. Students who serve as PCAs gain knowledge and valuable
member on the Board of Aging. Giersdorf replaces Stephanie Klinzing
Dave Lee, Duluth, replaces David Nathan on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health in the psychologist seat. Eren Sutherland, Minneapolis, is reappointed as representative for Minnesota Disability Law. Katie Twyman-Metzger, St. Paul, replaces Al Levin as center consumer.
Anisa Ali, Columbia Heights, replaces Jillian Nelson on the State Rehabilitation Council as disability advocacy groups representative. Daren Howard, St. Paul, replaces Rebecca Puchtel in the same post. Jenna Askevold, Mankato, replaces Lisa Parteh as community rehabilitation program provider representative.
The governor and lieutenant governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on at https://commissionsandappointments. sos.state.mn.us/Position
Guild announces board members
Guild, a nonprofit provider of integrated services related to mental health, housing, and employment to people living in the Twin
experience in implementing accessible and equitable care solutions that support independence. It offers students at U of M and other educational institutions a chance to gain meaningful, paid experience that not only helps them develop professionally but also reinforces values of inclusion and community engagement.”
Participants who receive PCA College Service Corp services can attest to the importance of this program and its impact. Sam D., a recipient of PCA services, said “Besides helping me meet my basic needs, they also play an integral part in my life by assisting me to be able to live an active, healthy, fulfilling life, regardless of my disability. Without the assistance of a PCA, I wouldn’t be able to work, get to my medical appointments, and continue to live in the community instead of a facility or group home.” Sam added, “Due to the crisis in finding and retaining PCAs, people in the disability community have been forced to move into group homes and long-term care facilities. Even worse than being forced to live in a different setting, there have been several cases of individuals passing away due to the inability to find caregivers or from lack of caregiver support, leading to additional health complications. This is a civil rights issue, as all individuals should be allowed to live in the setting of their choice, but to do so, those in the disability community need the opportunity to receive consistent support from caregivers. The critical staffing shortage in caregivers continues to grow, and unless innovative solutions like the PCA College Service Corps are explored, the trend will continue.”
Applications are now being accepted for the PCA College Service Corps. Students interested in submitting an application or learning more about this important program will find more information on the MCIL website. This work is supported by the Department of Human Services – Disability Services Division. FFI: MCIL-MN.org
Cities area, has appointed Casey Larson and Dr. Michelle K. Murray to the organization's board of directors. They join a board of a dozen community leaders dedicated to empowering those living with mental illness and/or experiencing long-term homelessness by helping them lead stable, fulfilling lives in their chosen community.
Murray is the president and CEO of Nexus Family Healing, a national nonprofit organization that helps youth and their families through mental health services, foster care and adoption, and residential treatment. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an approved clinical supervisor through the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
“I really believe that for people to heal, they must have their basic safety needs met,” Murray said of the organization’s mission. “I was drawn to Guild because they provide housing to people who need it.”
Larson is the chief strategy officer for his own financial advising practice, Larson & Larson Financial Services. Addressing the mental health and housing crisis has been a guiding passion of his for as long as he can remember.
PEOPLE AND PLACES To page 15
RADIO TALKING BOOK
For November 19 new books will premiere Radio Talking Book is not just for listeners with visual disabilities. Anyone with difficulty reading or turning pages can enjoy the service.
The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming. Listen to RTB’s live or archived programs online at www. mnssb.org/rtb, and learn more about programs.
Hear programming on a hand-held mobile device, for either iOS or Android. Visit the Apple App Store for iOS, or Google Play for Android, and download the Minnesota Radio Talking Book app. Missed a book broadcast? Access it for one week following its original broadcast in the online weekly program archive.
For help accessing the archive, contact Ronnie Washington at 651-539-1424 or SSB.Equipment@state.mn.us
If the book’s broadcast is no longer available in the archive, contact staff librarian Molly McGilp at 651.539.1422 or Molly.McGilp@state.mn.us
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. Call 800722-0550, Mon-Fri, 9 am - 4 pm CST. Updates are on the Facebook site Minnesota Radio Talking Book.
Audio information about the daily book listings is on the National Federation for the Blind Newsline. Register for NFB Newsline by calling 651-539-1424. The service provides access to more than 500 magazines and newspapers. Visit www. nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline or call 612-562-7803
Staff welcomes any feedback or suggestions. Contact Joseph Papke at 651539-2316 or joseph.papke@state.mn.us
Chautauqua*
Monday – Friday 6 a.m.
The Reopening of the Western Mind,
nonfiction by Charles Freeman, 2023.
A monumental and exhilarating history of European thought from the end of Antiquity to the beginning of the Enlightenment—500 to 1700 AD—tracing the arc of intellectual history as it evolved, setting the stage for the modern era. Read by Lannois Neely. 32 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 7.
Past is
Prologue*
Monday – Friday 11 a.m.
Under the Eye of Power, nonfiction by Colin Dickey, 2023. A history of America's obsession with secret societies and the conspiracies of hidden power. Read by John Holden. 15 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 7.
Bookworm*
Monday – Friday 12 p.m.
The Wonders of the Little World, fiction by Bill Meissner, 2024. Like the midway of a colorful carnival, this novel about a circus family is filled with mystery and magic, surprise and wonder. Read by Stuart Holland. 13 broadcasts; begins Tue, Nov. 5.
I Cheerfully Refuse, fiction by Leif Enger, 2024. Amid the dystopian collapse of the near future, a musician embarks on a quixotic voyage from the shore of Lake Superior. Read by Don Lee. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 25.
The Writer’s Voice*
Monday – Friday 1 p.m.
True West, nonfiction by Robert Greenfield, 2023. A revelatory biography of the world-famous playwright and actor Sam Shepard. Read by Dan Sadoff. 17 broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 13. – L
Choice Reading*
Monday – Friday 2 p.m.
Prophet Song, fiction by Paul Lynch, 2023. A terrifying and shocking vision of a country sliding into authoritarianism and a deeply human portrait of a mother’s fight to hold her family together. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 4.
The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson, fiction by Ellen Baker, 2024. A compelling
multigenerational novel of survival, love, and the families we make, centered around one remarkable woman and her determination to survive. Read by Karen Ray. Eight broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 21.
Afternoon Report*
Monday – Friday 4 p.m.
Everyday Freedom, nonfiction by Philip K. Howard, 2024. A powerful work of social analysis and radical vision for change in the tradition of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. Read by William Heisley. Three broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 4.
Making It in America, nonfiction by Rachel Slade, 2024. A moving and eye-opening look at the story of manufacturing in America, whether it can ever successfully return to our shores, and why the nation depends on it. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 17 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 7.
Night Journey*
Monday –Friday 7 p.m.
The Secret Hours, fiction by Mick Herron, 2023. A gripping spy thriller about a disastrous MI5 mission in Cold War Berlin. Read by Tom Speich. 14 broadcasts; begins Wed, Nov. 20. – L
Off the Shelf*
Monday – Friday 8 p.m.
The Maniac, fiction by Benjamín Labatut, 2023. A haunting story centered on the Hungarian polymath John von Neumann, tracing the impact of his singular legacy on the dreams and nightmares of the twentieth century and the nascent age of AI. Read by Stuart Holland. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 18.
Potpourri*
Monday – Friday 9 p.m.
Love and Let Die, nonfiction by John Higgs, 2023. A deep-dive into the unique connections between the two titans of the British cultural psyche—the Beatles and the Bond films—and what they tell us about class, sexuality, and our aspirations over 60 dramatic years. Read by Michelle Juntunen. 18 broadcasts; begins Tue, Nov. 5.
Thanks to ALL OF YOU for supporting Access Press
& up)
Janice Chevrette
Jane Larson
Ronna Linroth
Brandon Miller
Lynda Milne
Ann and Larry Roscoe
Walter Siebert
Joel Ulland
Kay Willshire
Tamarack Habilitation Tech, Inc.
Jeff Bangsberg & Anita Boucher
Anne L. Henry
Kim Kang
Steve Kuntz
Brandon Miller
Alexandra Bartolic
Dena Belisle
Tim S. Benjamin
Gretchen Bratvold
John & Marilyn Clark
Tom Clark
Mark Daly
Yoshiko S. Dart
Anonymous
Rosebud Elijah
Joel Enders
Lee Ann & Dale Erickson
Laura Fedock
Kent Fordyce
Vicki Garrets
BRONZE ($75-$149)
Jim Musselman
Debra J. Shriver
Robyn Wade
Courage Kenny Just Comfort
Robert Gregory
Craig Dunn & Candy Hart
Pam Hochrein
Judy Hunt
Rick & Susie MacPherson
Brian Musselman
Manley Olson
Mark W. Traynor & Jen Peterson
Julee Quarve-Peterson
Hilary and Stuart Ratner
Ken Rodgers
Linda Wolford
Amanda & Mark Tempel
Hammer Residences, Inc.
All times listed are Central Standard Time.
Abbreviations V – violent content R –racial epithets L – strong language S –sexual situation G – gory descriptions
Good Night Owl
Monday – Friday 10 p.m.
Just Stay Away, fiction by Tony Wirt, 2023. When a mysterious neighborhood boy befriends his young daughter, stayat-home dad Craig considers him a godsend―until it becomes clear that there’s nothing angelic about him at all. Read by Andrea Bell. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 18. – L
RTB After Hours*
Monday – Friday 11 p.m.
The Wake-Up Call, fiction by Beth O’Leary, 2023. Two hotel receptionists—and archrivals—find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, discovering their own love story along the way. Read by Laura Young. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Nov. 11. – L Until It Was Love, fiction by Pippa Grant, 2024. A banter-filled rom-com featuring an overgrown snack of a man with a soft spot for his purse dog and a normally optimistic life coach trying to live her best life. Read by Carol McPherson. 12 broadcasts; begins Thu, Nov. 28. – L, S Weekend Program Books
Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat , presents Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter, read by Cintra Godfrey. For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sun, presents The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillio, read by Carl Voss; followed by Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow, read by Pat Muir.
Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents Bright Dead Things by Ada Limó
The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents Tales From the Minnesota Sports Beat by Patrick Reusse, read by Jim Gregorich.
f In Memoriam f
Leivestad leaves a legacy of legislative service, enjoyment of sports
Whether he was playing hockey or testifying before the Minnesota Legislature, Damon Leivestad left an impression. Leivestad died in October. He was 51 years old and lived in Plymouth.
Leivestad was born in Mankato and grew up in St. Peter. When Leivestad was three years old, he was diagnosed with the progressive neuromuscular disorder spinal muscular atrophy. By the age of 10 he was using a wheelchair.
During the summers he attended MDA Camp at Camp Courage, where the campers played wheelchair floor hockey. That sparked his lifelong interest in hockey. He also enjoyed other sports and was often seen wearing a favorite team cap.
After graduating from St. Peter High School in 1992, he moved to Minneapolis and started CAD classes, majoring in mechanical engineering. By February of 1993 he was interning with his present employer, Barry-Wehmiller Flexible Systems. Colleagues praised him for his engineering
skills and talents. They and his friends also remembered his sense of humor. In 1993 he and four disabled friends flew to Germany to attend an international wheelchair hockey tournament. They had
TAKE NOTE!
NAMI Minnesota state conference
Every Mind Matters is the theme of the 2024 national Alliance for the Mentally ill (NAMI) Minnesota State Conference, set for Sat, Nov.. 9 at St. Paul RiverCentre. Learn and connect with a community that works to improve the lives of children and adults living with a mental illness. The conference focuses on the whole spectrum, from prevention to severe and persistent mental illnesses. The conference offers a full day of insightful keynotes, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities for professionals, advocates, individuals living with mental illnesses, and their families
GRANTS
From page 6
Hopkins, $213,000. The project will enable an Alzheimer’s disease and related diseases awareness and caregiver support effort for Russian, Ukrainian and Uzbek-speaking persons and families in the Twin Cities. North East Seniors for Better Living, St. Paul, $48,000. The project offers new, onsite respite programming for family and friend caregivers of persons with dementia living in the Greater East Side of St. Paul.
PEOPLE AND PLACES
From page 13
“We live in a country with so much infrastructure and prosperity that I believe no one should have to live in such conditions,” Larson said. “Being invited to the board has given me a chance to learn so much more about the root issues leading to homelessness and be part of an already amazingly effective team.”
Larson is a former high school swimming coach and athletic trainer who opened up Larson & Larson Financial Services in 2007. He is a skilled financial strategist committed to preserving and supporting small business owners and a graduate of St. John’s University.
Larson is also involved with the Savage Rotary Club.
Murray has dedicated her expertise and leadership to positively impacting the lives of those in need. She received her master’s and doctoral degrees in marriage and family therapy from Syracuse University.
Guild helps nearly 2,200 people annually across the Twin Cities with integrated services related to mental health, housing, and employment. Its integrated community mental health treatment and case management services prevent and quickly address crises, reduce homelessness and hospitalization, and increase overall stability. Guild meets unmet needs with community-based, person-centered services. Learn more at guildservices.org.
Community Thread leader to retire
Sally Anderson is stepping down at year’s end as leader of Community Thread in
Attendees can attend a wide range of breakout sessions and learn about services and programs. Keynote speakers are Larissa May, founder of #HalfTheStory, will focus on “The Future of Digital Wellbeing—Where All Minds Can Thrive.”
Sarah Souder Johnson and Lazerbeak will present "Dissonance—The Power of Music in the Pursuit of Mental Health," providing attendees with a meaningful and interactive experience that highlights the role of music in supporting mental health. General admission is $65, with an additional $35 fee for CEU credits—the event is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for
Renaissance Adult Day Care, Coon Rapids, $246,000. Funding will support an afterhours dementia-specific caregiver support group for families, enhanced staff training with cognitive therapies (including sensory and reminiscence therapies) and outreach to the area’s Ukrainian/Russian population.
SEWA-AIFW, Brooklyn Center, $264,000. Funds will help provide support for South Asians with dementia in the metropolitan area while offering resources to their family and friend caregivers through support groups, practical education, cognitive screening
Stillwater, after more than 11 years’ service.
The Hudson, Wisconsin resident is only the fourth executive director to lead the nonprofit organization since it was formed in 1972.
Community Thread helps older adults, particularly those who desire to age in place, and supports volunteers. Anderson said in a Pioneer Press interview that she is especially proud of her work on the organization's Thrive program, which is designed to support older and disabled adults with living independently.
“It puts all our services under one umbrella,” she said. “It's the things that keep people connected and socially engaged and living independently.”
During her tenure, she also helped develop new volunteer initiatives and oversaw capital improvement projects. In 2018, she helped launch the Connector Bus Loop service to provide local transportation options.
Anderson was a “visionary leader” who was committed to “keeping Community Thread's mission of engaging volunteers to improve quality of life in our community at the forefront of her decisions,” said Ted Wegleitner, board president. "We are well positioned for future success thanks to her dedication."
Prior to joining Community Thread, she was interim and associate executive director at the Valley Outreach food shelf. During her more than 30 years in the nonprofit sector, she started Achieve, a nonprofit mental health clinic in Wausau, Wisconsin. She also managed programs serving aging and disabled populations.
Anderson, who serves on the board of Valley Community Center, a grassroots effort to bring a recreational center to the area, has no particular retirement plans, she said.
“I want to get to know the Hudson
amazing stories upon their return, especially about cruising the Autobahn Highway at night in their chairs and getting lost. After returning from Germany the team began making trips to Canada to play hockey.
Soon he and two other teammates started the PowerHockey USA organization, dedicated to providing a quality hockey program for persons requiring the use of an electric (power) wheelchair in daily life.
In 2002 Leivestad was awarded the Rose and Jay Phillips Award from Courage Center, in recognition of his outstanding vocational and community success.
In recent years, in addition to continuing to design packaging machinery for his employer, he became a strong and dedicated advocate for the disabled and their caregivers. He worked on legislation and regulatory issues with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU); Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and Sen. John Hoffman (DFL-Champlain) and David Zak, staff for the Human Services
social workers, LPCs, LPCCs, and LMFTs. The price includes the NAMI Minnesota 2024 awards ceremony, a luncheon, and snacks. Scholarships are available upon request. FFI: 651-645-2948, namimn.org, publiceducation@namimn.org
Take Note! of the change
The longtime Opportunities and Enjoy! calendars are now Take Note! Access Press is listing fewer calendar items in print and encouraging more to be posted online. The change allows more immediate information about upcoming events.
Online options include our free events calendar. Ways to post an event can be
and testing, and the piloting of a culturally tailored model of respite services.
Sod House Theater, St. Anthony, $59,000. “FIVE MORE MINUTES,” an original production portraying a couple’s experience with dementia, will travel to 10 or more Minnesota communities. Sod House Theater will also develop facilitated postperformance discussions.
Volunteers of America-Minnesota and Wisconsin, Minneapolis, $481,000. The project will pilot a culturally specific, holistic model of dementia care and serve
CLASSIFIEDS
Committee. At the time of his death, Leivestad was preparing bills to be introduced for the 2025 session. A key focus for him was the need for adequate compensation for care staff. At one past hearing, he said, “The shortage of homecare workers is growing at a staggering rate, which has had a tremendous impact on those of us who rely on homecare services. The time, energy, and difficulty of finding workers for those people with disabilities feeling very vulnerable, burdensome, and, at times, without hope. . . . Without our basic needs being met, it’s impossible to know what the future will look like.” He often spoke of struggling to retain staff and having to rely on his parents as caregivers.
Leivestad is survived by his parents David and Deanna, his brother Derek and other family members and friends. Services have been held. Interment will be in St. Peter at a later date. Memorials preferred to Cure SMA at www.curesma.org.
found at www.accesspress.org, under the listings tab. The event must be disabilityfocused, offer accommodations or led by a disability service organization. Anyone with questions can contact Editor Jane McClure at jane@accesspress.org or 651644-2133 ext. 1
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126 caregivers, mostly African American, with long-term support services. Volunteers will be trained using REST to provide care to 96 people with dementia over the two-year grant period.
Walker West Music Academy, St. Paul, $83,000. Twenty new caregivers and the people they provide care for will be enrolled in the acclaimed Amazing Grace Dementia Chorus. Family and friend caregiver choir participants will also receive tailored dementia-friendly tools and tactics from a music therapist.
community and maybe volunteer and get connected over there,” she said. “I've lived in Hudson since 2008, but I've worked in Stillwater.”
Damon Leivestad
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