Blogs

It’s only been a week or two of the COVID-19 chaos, but it certainly feels much longer. ARRM is continuing to pull together important information and resources for your members. They can be found on a special website we set up for you – www.ARRMcovid19.com

Executive Order

Executive Order 20-12 was issued on Friday, March 20^th by Governor Tim Walz called for preserving access to human services programs during the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency. Shortly thereafter, Commissioner Jodi Harpstead issued a press release found here starting to provide information on how DHS will be easing restrictions, regulations and provide additional guidance. We are in constant communication with DHS so we will keep you up-to-date when new information comes out from DHS. We have also created a ARRM/MOHR leadership team who are meeting to share information and problem solve.

Weekly call

ARRM has secured a commitment from DHS to participate in a weekly briefing with ARRM members every Wednesday at 11:00 am. ARRM invited MOHR members to participate as well because we’re all in this together. Our first call was March 18 and it got off to a rocky start with some profound technology glitches. Kevin got it figured out, and when the call went live we had over 630 lines connected. We expect a strong presence at future meetings.

Waivers under peacetime emergency authority, Executive Order 20-12

Under the Governor’s Emergency Executive Order 20-12, the Minnesota Department of Human Services has temporary authority to waive or modify requirements so that the agency and its partners can continue to provide essential programs and services to Minnesotans safely and without undue delay during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A list of all waivers and modifications currently in effect is posted at the DHS website. It will be updated as necessary. We encourage you to monitor the DHS website and DHS bulletins.

Operational instructions for counties, tribes, managed care organizations and providers related to these changes will be communicated separately to people affected by specific temporary changes

PPE Needs

We know that personal protective equipment (PPE) are hard to come by. We have communicated this need to DHS on multiple occasions. ARRM will be investigating other alternatives early this week and will keep you updated.

We know that this is a scary time for many folks, both personally and professionally. We here that from you and we are doing what we can to support you.

Sue Schettle, CEO

Through our national partner, ANCOR, we are working with members of Congress to urge their support of various emergency funding requests that are working their way through the process. Many of you have participate in our Action Alerts. I’m thankful that we purchased a new grassroots program that allows you to very easily connect with your legislators. 

We urge governors to take the following actions as soon as possible:

1. Issue an executive order designating direct support professionals as "essential workers." Currently, home health aides and personal care attendants are considered essential, but direct support professionals (DSPs)-despite fulfilling all the same roles as these other professionals plus much more-aren't identified as essential. Designating them as such will ensure their unfettered ability to get where they need to go to support our neighbors with disabilities who are relying on their support. Other positions or roles essential to continuing community-based disability supports that should also be deemed essential and may not be able to work remotely include administrative managers/supervisors, medication technicians, clinical support staff, therapists, case managers, housekeeping, maintenance and others.

2. Encourage displaced workers to consider applying for jobs as Direct Support Professionals. Before COVID-19, turnover rates within our workforce averaged 51%, and high vacancy rates are certain to be exacerbated by the coronavirus and the havoc it is wreaking on the health care system, schools and more. Meanwhile, millions of workers are being laid off as bars, restaurants, stores, airlines and other industries see demand plummet. To alleviate the DSP workforce crisis and mitigate the impacts of rampant unemployment, governors can coordinate with state health, labor and education to encourage those currently without work to consider this rewarding, meaningful career opportunity.

3. Publicly recognize the important work direct support professionals do in the community. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine led the way on this front by specifically acknowledging the lengths to which DSPs are going to ensure the most vulnerable populations in our community are being cared for in the midst of this crisis. Following Gov. DeWine's lead, efforts by governors to praise the work of DSPs would legitimize the DSP workforce, ensuring they are considered frontline workers in need of personal protective equipment, and would help these unsung heroes feel appreciated at a time when they are operating under unprecedented stress.