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.
Sept. 5 Workshop Webinar: HCBS Scholarship Grant Application Process
On August 20, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health will host a Workshop Webinar on the Home and Community-Based Services Scholarship Program and Application Process on Sept. 5. Make plans now to participate and then apply for tscholarship grants that will help you recruit, retain and create career pathways for your staff.
Registration Open for Health Care Engineers Conference
On August 20, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
Registration is open for the Minnesota Health Care Engineers Association (MHCEA) Fall Conference and Vendor Show that takes place Sept. 11-13 at Grand Casino Hinckley.
Housing Support Approved as New Medicaid Benefit
On August 20, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota seniors and people with disabilities soon will have more help finding and keeping housing, thanks to new services coming to the state’s Medicaid program next year.
Help Recruit Staff and Create Career Pathways: Apply for HCBS Scholarship Grant
On August 13, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health is soliciting grant proposals from providers of adult day care, home care and housing with services to provide educational scholarships for their employees. Find the HCBS Program detail, application, and forms on the MDH website here.
DHS Launches New Web Site Geared Toward People with Hearing Loss
On August 13, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
People with hearing loss can learn more about assistive technology, communications access and other issues at a new website launched this week by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
Jodi Harpstead Named DHS Commissioner
On August 13, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Governor Tim Walz has named Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota President Jodi Harpstead as the new commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS).
State to Award Local and Regional Dementia Grants
On August 6, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Board on Aging has issued a Request for Proposals for local and regional projects that will increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, increase the rate of cognitive testing, promote the benefits of early diagnosis, or connect caregivers of persons with dementia to education and resources.
HCBS Educational Scholarship for 2020 Now Open
On August 6, 2019 by Jenna Kellerman
The Minnesota Department of Health is soliciting grant proposals from providers of adult day care, home care, and housing with services to provide educational scholarships for their employees. Find the HCBS Program detail, application, and forms here.
Interim Manager to Lead DHS Inspector General Office
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Acting Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Pam Wheelock tnamed Bob Jacobson to manage the Office of Inspector General on an interim basis.
New Law Bans E-Cigarette and Vapes in Most Indoor Workplaces and Public Places
On July 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Starting Aug. 1, laws protecting Minnesotans from exposure to deadly secondhand smoke will expand to include the use of e-cigarettes and vapes.
Home Care Matters Provider Webinar Scheduled for Aug. 7
On July 30, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Home Care Matters, a provider webinar sponsored by the Home Care and Assisted Living Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
New Resource on Documentation Requirements for Waiver Services
On July 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has released a short document that summarizes new statutory requirements around documentation for waiver services.
Eldermark Provides Technology Training for MDH Teams
On July 24, 2019 by Guest Contributor
In response to a request from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC), Eldermark Software recently met with the investigation teams and supervisors from OHFC and the Licensing & Survey Compliance division to provide some basic training on the software used by many senior living providers across the state.
Minnesota Food Code: Am I serving a highly susceptible population?
On July 24, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
New Minnesota Food Code requirements went into effect on Jan. 1 and one topic providers want to learn more about is the requirements for establishments serving highly susceptible populations:
Moratorium Exceptions Process Application Materials Available
On July 24, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) recently released the application materials for this year’s round of the nursing facility moratorium exceptions process. Care centers interested in applying should complete the required application materials and return them to MDH by Dec. 20. Following a presentation to a review committee early next year, MDH will have a list of approved projects by April 3, 2020.
Ban on Flushing of Hazardous Medications Takes Effect in August
On July 24, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Under regulations enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), hazardous waste pharmaceuticals may not be sewered (flushed or poured down a drain) for disposal after Aug. 21, 2019. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has posted a fact sheet about changes in management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals to its website.
Prevent Diversion of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care
On July 16, 2019 by Julie Apold
Registration is now open for the Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances in Long-Term Care seminar on Aug. 13 in St. Paul. This 3.5-hour course will provide administrators and nursing leaders with an evidence-based overview of recommendations and best practices to prevent controlled substance diversion in their setting.
DHS Moving Forward with Consolidation of Disability Waivers
On July 16, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
The Health and Human Services budget bill that passed during the 2019 special session includes several provisions that advance a proposal known as Waiver Reimagine. Over the next several years, Waiver Reimagine will combine the four existing disability waivers under two new waivers, one for individuals living independently or with family and one for clients in residential settings.
Lourey Resigns as DHS Commissioner; Pam Wheelock Named Acting Commissioner
On July 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Tony Lourey resigned on Monday. Pam Wheelock, an experienced administrator with a career spanning the public, private and nonprofit sectors, will serve as acting commissioner.
New Requirement and Sanctions: Check and Document Exclusions List Monthly
On July 10, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
A new requirement effective Aug. 1 requires providers to document that they have checked the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Excluded Group Providers and Excluded Individual Providers each month.
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