Legislators show their support for The 5% Campaign

On January 6, 2014, Representative Steve Simon and Representative Ryan Winkler visited with residents, staff and family members at an Opportunity Partners home in St. Louis Park to learn about residential services for people with disabilities. Opportunity Partners helps people with disabilities live, learn and work more independently through innovative services and collaborations with business. One of the largest social service agencies in Minnesota, the organization serves nearly 2,000 people with disabilities each year.

During the visit, residents and staff shared personal stories and emphasized the tremendous impact a rate increase would have on residential services. Representative Steve Simon agreed to sign-on as an official supporter of The 5% Campaign. Representative Winkler has already made the commitment.

The 5% Campaign is a nonpartisan coalition working together to ask lawmakers for a 5% rate increase for disability and elderly Home and Community-Based Services in 2014. Including repeated cuts, 2013 marked the fifth year in a row that services for people with disabilities and older adults have not received rate increases to keep up with rising costs.  Supporters say the increase is needed to fund critical services that allow older adults and people with disabilities to maintain good health and independence in their homes and communities.

More information about The 5% Campaign is available at www.arrm.org/news/5percentcampaign.html.