Association Of Residential Resources In Minnesota

ARRM LEADS THE ADVANCEMENT OF COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THEIR PURSUIT OF MEANINGFUL LIVES.

COMMUNICATIONPROVIDED REGULAR COMMUNICATION TO MEMBERS ON IMPORTANT ISSUES, DEVELOPMENTS AND BEST PRACTICES IN THE DELIVERY OF SERVICES AND POLICY CHANGES ON ISSUES AFFECTING SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, INCLUDING WEEKLY CONFERENCE CALLS, REGULAR BLOG ARTICLES AND EMAIL UPDATES. WORKED WITH MEDIA CONTACTS TO BRING AWARENESS TO INDUSTRY WORKFORCE CRISIS AND THE IMPACT ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. ENHANCED OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND LAUNCHED NEW WEBSITE.

EDUCATIONARRM HELD NUMEROUS IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT 2021 ENGAGING THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES. IN MARCH OF 2021, WITH ACCESS TO THE STATE CAPITOL RESTRICTED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, DISABILITY SERVICES DAY AT THE CAPITOL WENT VIRTUAL, BRINGING TOGETHER MORE THAN 625 DISABILITY ADVOCATES TO RALLY AND MEET WITH THEIR STATE LEGISLATORS. ARRM'S CORNERSTONE SUMMER EVENT RETURNED IN 2021, MARKING THE FIRST IN-PERSON EVENT FOR ARRM SINCE DISABILITY SERVICES DAY AT THE CAPITOL IN MARCH 2020. DESPITE POSSIBLE ATTENDEE APPREHENSION REGARDING COVID SPREAD, EVERY HEALTH PRECAUTION WAS TAKEN, AND MORE THAN 550 PAID ATTENDEES AND EXHIBITORS GATHERED AT MYSTIC LAKE CENTER IN PRIOR LAKE FOR TWO DAYS OF MARQUEE LEARNING AND NETWORKING. NEW IN 2021 WAS A RESTRUCTURED AGENDA, WITH THE SUMMER BUSINESS AND FINANCE FORUM OCCURRING ON DAY ONE OF THE TWO-DAY EVENT, AND FORWARD ANNUAL CONFERENCE FILLING OUT THE SECOND DAY. THE CONJOINED FORMAT OF THESE TWO EVENTS BOOSTED BFF ATTENDANCE TO MORE THAN 160 ATTENDEES. ARRM'S SLATE OF VIRTUAL OFFERINGS CONTINUED AND GREW IN 2021, OFFERING MEMBERS NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE DISABILITY SERVICES INDUSTRY, AND STAY UP TO DATE ON TOPICS LIKE COVID-19. WE HAD 24 ONLINE CALLS WITH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THROUGHOUT 2021 THAT ENGAGED MORE THAN 4,900 ATTENDEES, AVERAGING AROUND 200 PER CALL. WE ALSO HELD FIVE VIRTUAL EVENTS COVERING NINE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT MORE THAN 150 RESIDENTIAL PROVIDERS PARTICIPATED IN TO EDUCATE LEGISLATORS ON THE STATE OF THE INDUSTRY.

ADVOCACYDIRECTLY LOBBIED STATE AGENCIES AND LEGISLATORS AND COORDINATED WITH ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO DEVELOP LEGISLATION REGARDING RATE RESTRUCTURING AND PERSON-CENTERED STANDARDS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO RECEIVE MEDICAID-FUNDED SERVICES. WE PARTICIPATED IN A COALITION OF ADVOCATES, CAREGIVERS, SERVICE RECIPIENTS AND PROVIDERS TO INCREASE PEOPLES AND PROVIDER'S RATES AND EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION FOR 90,000 CAREGIVERS ACROSS THE STATE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED SERVICE RECIPIENTS. DIRECTLY LOBBIED LEGISLATORS, STAFF IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND STATE AGENCIES, CONCERNING BILLS RELATED TO FUNDING, FUNDING SYSTEMS, REGULATORY AND QUALITY OF CARE ISSUES - INCLUDING THE PREPARATION OF AND RESPONSES TO LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE. WE ENGAGED OVER 1000 PEOPLE IN OUR ARRM DAY AT THE CAPITAL AND FACILITATED 150 MEETINGS WITH STATE LEGISLATORS.