News
Category: State News
Welcome to the State News category. The following news items will keep you informed about state legislation, state-level advocacy and other information about aging services in Minnesota.
New Criteria for Individuals on Disability Waivers to Access Residential Services
On June 26, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
Effective July 1, 2025, DHS will implement new residential support services criteria as required under Minn. Stat. §256B.49, subd. 29 and Minn. Stat. §256B.092, subd. 11.
Apply Now: Mental Health Grants for Health Care Professionals
On June 18, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has released a request for proposals for the Mental Health Grants for Health Care Professionals program, with a deadline to apply by Aug 1.
Need Convenient Nurse Aide Testing? Apply now to become an In-facility Test Site
On June 18, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health is expanding in-facility testing to add additional test sites for nurse aide candidates. Applications will be accepted June 16-July 11.
New Consent and Fingerprinting Timeline for Background Studies Begins July 14
On June 18, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is updating the timeline for completing background studies consent and disclosures. Starting July 14, 2025, the process for study subjects will change significantly to align with federal requirements.
Apply Now to Become an In-facility Test Site for Nurse Aide Candidates
On June 12, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Minnesota Department of Health is expanding in-facility testing to add additional test sites for nurse aide candidates. Applications will be accepted June 16-July 11.
AL License Renewals and Payment Delays
On June 5, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
When renewing your Assisted Living Facility license you may find the MDH Renewal Checklist helpful in preparing documents to submit with the renewal application.
CMP Project Invoicing Deadline
On May 29, 2025 by Julie Apold
If you had a Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) Project that was approved prior to Dec. 31, 2024, and have not yet invoiced the Department of Human Services (DHS) for your project, you must submit your invoices before June 30. After this date, you will no longer be able to invoice DHS for your project.
Large Building Energy Benchmarking Reporting Due June 1
On May 29, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
The Large Building Energy Benchmarking program is a state-wide program aimed at increasing energy efficiency while decreasing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector.
Cost Reporting Required for Providers of Customized Living Under the Disability Waivers - Instructional Webinar Announced
On May 22, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
The Minnesota Legislature directed DHS to develop and implement a provider cost review for agencies that provide at least one service covered by the Disability Waiver Rate System, DWRS, (Minn. Stat. §256B.4914, subd. 10a).
Assisted Living Meal Plans
On May 1, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
A recurrent question and citation for Assisted Living Facilities is offering meal plans that meet statutory requirements.
NETStudy 2.0 Offline Starting Friday Evening until Monday Morning
On April 24, 2025 by Mark Schulz
Late on Wednesday afternoon the Department of Human Services (DHS) notified NETStudy 2.0 system users via a GovDelivery message that the NETStudy 2.0 system will be offline for a server upgrade starting on Friday, 4/25, at 7 p.m. and expected to return to normal operations on Monday, 4/28, at 8 a.m. During this server upgrade, do not log into NETStudy 2.0 until you receive an all-clear message from DHS.
Resource Describing Application of Disability Waiver Policies for AL Licensed Facilities Released by DHS
On April 17, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
Assisted living facilities that provide customized living (CL) services to people on the Brain Injury (BI) and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) waivers must follow specific limitations based on the setting’s CL enrollment date.
Last Chance: Apply by April 15 for Dual-Training Pipeline Grants
On April 10, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Office of Higher Education's (OHE) Dual-Training Pipeline Grant is open for applications until April 15.
Reframe Aging Minnesota – Participation Opportunities
On April 10, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
Did you know that Minnesota has a Reframe Aging Initiative? The Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation and the Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging are sponsoring a series of sessions, titled, “Free Framer Fridays” to engage Minnesotans in championing a Minnesota free of agism.
MnCHOICES Assessment Duration of Validity Extended
On April 3, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
Effective July 1, 2025, MnCHOICES initial assessments will be valid for 365 days from the interview date to establish program eligibility, extended from the current validity of 60 days.
Apply by April 15: Dual-Training Pipeline Grants
On March 27, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Office of Higher Education's (OHE) Dual-Training Pipeline Grant is open for applications until April 15.
New Housing Support Rate Effective July 1 – Corrected Calculation Table
On March 20, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
On July 1, 2025, the Housing Support maximum monthly room and board rate will increase to $1,192. There was a typo in the table last week for the personal spending allowance, which should be $128. The rate is correct at $1192. See the corrected table below.
Application Forms Now Available for Relocation of Facility for Small Providers
On March 20, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
Some small residential providers have had challenges complying with AL statutes due to what would be cost-prohibitive remodeling required, or unwillingness of a landlord to allow the changes in rented settings. Changes were made to 144G.195 in the 2024 legislative session to allow these settings to relocate within certain parameters.
Collaborative Systems Change Leads to “Insight 2 Action” Study
On March 13, 2025 by Kari Everson
MDH invites you to participate in the Insight 2 Action focus groups to tackle the persisting challenges in infection prevention in our settings.
MDH Assisted Living Quarterly Update Now Posted
On March 13, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
In case you missed it, the MDH Assisted Living Quarterly Update information that was presented on February 20, 2025, is now posted to the MDH Website.