Play ball! . . . pg 11
Volume 25, Number 3
www.accesspress.org
CFSS Brutally cold winter doesn’t moving to deter dedicated Polar Plungers unknown start date by Jane McClure
The state’s upcoming Community First Supports and Services (CFSS) program has had its twists and during the 2014 legislative session. What everyone is waiting for now is to see how the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) will act on Minnesota’s new program. CFSS will replace Minnesota’s Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Program. Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) staff is working on implementing the program change, looking at a number of issues including the definition of “dependency” and what that means for participants. A commentary from DHS on the program appears on page 15. The changeover was to take place April 1, but it has been pushed back to much later. That’s prompted some Halloween jokes from memCFSS start date change - p. 15
by Access Press staff The ice has finally melted from many of Minnesota’s lakes and rivers. That not only means spring is here, but that Minnesota’s Polar Bear Plungers may finally be able to feel their fingers and toes. The 17th year of the Polar Bear Plunge wrapped up in March. Statewide, 17,748 volunteer plungers raised more than $3.7 million for Special Olympics Minnesota. Of that amount $1.3 million came from Minneapolis Plunge activities. The event at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis included a 5K run, adult and peewee children’s plunges, fireworks and other fun events. Special Olympics Minnesota offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round sports training and competition. While those events rely extensively on volunteers, fundraising is needed so athletes can compete. Elvis and a swarm of bees prepare to jump at one of the 2014 Polar Much funding comes from the Bear Plunge events. Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Minnesota Polar Bear Plungers, who make senting organizations, business or just themtheir jumps into icy lakes in the name of charselves jump into frigid water to support Special ity. The number of plunge participants stayed Olympics athletes. Many plungers don silly about the same in 2014, said event spokespercostumes. Bumble bees, fairies, funny critters son Taylor Dale. But the number of pledges and even Elvis impersonators take their turns went up. Dale joked that it might be because of jumping into frigid waters. the recording-breaking cold winter brought The Polar Plunge this year consisted of 16 record breaking donations. People may have different events that took place across Minnefelt sympathy for the plungers and given more. sota during the coldest months of the year. The Polar Bear Plunge is the most high-proPolar plunge - p. 15 file of the fundraising events. People repre-
Caregivers could see wage hike approved
April 10, 2014 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested
“The secret of success is learning how to use pain and pleasure instead of having pain and pleasure use you. If you do that, you’re in control of your life. If you don’t, life controls you.” — Tony Robbins
NEWS DIGEST
The 2014 Minnesota Legislature is in the home stretch and many bills are in play. Page 3
Read the pros and cons of state funding for spinal cord injury/ traumatic brain injury research. Page 4
by Jane McClure
ing. DFLers defended the programs funded, saying they are needed. The House budget does include the 5 percent rate increase for home- and community-based services for people with disabilities. The Senate, which also includes the 5 percent raise, was expected to pass its budget as Access Press went to press. Those budget details still have to be hammered out and ultimately approved by the governor. The caregiver wage increase would cost about $84 million a year to implement. It would affect about 91,000 workers statewide, many of whom have been through years of pay cuts. It would also impact the level and quality of care for about 92,500 people with disabilities and elderly Minnesotans who live in the community. The House budget also includes $2 million for a rate increase for rural nursing homes that pay employees $14 an hour or less. Rural areas have struggled to retain nursing home workers and in some cases, nursing homes themselves. In 2013 nursing home workers won a rate increase of 5 percent increase for employees’ wages. Those who serve people with disabilities and the elderly got only a 1 percent increase. That slim increase, coupled with years of cuts to home- and Members of Self Advocates of Minnesota (SAM) led the crowd in song at the Disability community-based care, means wages for those who provide direct care have fallen far behind. Day at the Capitol rally March 18. Photos courtesy of Jane McClure Caregivers could see wage hike approved - p. 3
The 5% Campaign, one of the highest-profile efforts at the 2104 Minnesota Legislature, is close to reaching its goal. But getting the increase close to approval hasn’t been easy. Nor is anything certain until Gov. Mark Dayton approve state spending, including the health and human services budget. The House approved its budget just before midnight April 3, after more than nine hours’ debate. The budget passed on partisan lines, 70-59, with Republicans decrying it as wasteful spend-
Olmstead Plan listening sessions are coming up. Page 5
Metro Mobility is giving downtown riders a price break. Page 6
CFSS represents positive evolution of services for people with disabilities Page 15
INSIDE Accessible Fun, pg 12 Events, pg 13 People & Places, pps 11 Radio Talking Book, pg 14 Regional News, pg 6