MINNESOTA

The state of Minnesota does not have an official Olmstead task force.

Much of the Olmstead-related activities are occurring through Systems Change grants from the federal government. For example, the state Association for the Centers for Independent Living received a $400,000 grant for three years to continue the process of helping people make the transitioning from nursing homes into the community. For fiscal year 2002, the eight centers for independent living had transitioned 35 people from nursing homes and had prevented 225 people from entering nursing homes. The centers also are developing an assessment tool to help determine the amount of affordable, accessible housing units needed for people with disabilities. Although the grants have allowed the centers to do this work, the state cut their budgets by 30 percent for fiscal year 2003-2004 because of the state budget crisis. (Had the governor's budget passed, the centers would have been eliminated completely.)

In September 2003, as a result of one of its Systems Change grants, the Department of Human Services (DHS) issued a request for proposals from organizations within the state that seek to rebalance and integrate long-term care and promote the independence of older adults. Previous rounds of the grant focused on expanding regional gaps in home and community-based services. This and subsequent rounds target projects that support families and close gaps by changing long-term care systems and processes. The objective is to help communities keep senior citizens in their own homes and communities and to support their families. The funds which are primarily directed to seniors who are at risk of nursing home placement, and are therefore aimed at projects in the areas of nursing home transitions, telehealth, chronic disease management and linking formal health care (e.g., health plans, providers, hospitals, nursing homes) with quasi-formal services (e.g., faith-based organizations, volunteer programs, caregiver support services).

Also in September 2003, the DHS and other public and private organizations launched a Minnesota Mental Health Action Group that will create action teams to develop a public-private model for mental health services; create a rational fiscal framework; better coordinate care; standardize assessments, performance measurement and outcomes; improve early intervention services; and implement work force solutions. Public meetings are being planned to solicit input from community members and consumers.

In the fall of 2003, DHS disability services unit posted its new Disability Services Program Manual on the DHS CountyLink Web site. The manual serves as a reference tool for county workers who are responsible for administering home and community living services. It includes policy and procedure information on home care services, waiver programs, personal care assistance services and case management.

The 2003 Legislature created an alternative care program that provides home and community-based services for the elderly (House Bill 6a).