Legislation Updates

Our Future Starts at Home

Our Future Starts at Home is a coalition of advocates, community leaders, faith leaders and housing champions who believe housing is a basic need and a basic human right. The Arc Northland sees access to affordable accessible housing as a civil right, a social driver of health and one of the first and most important steps in fostering financial stability.

For more information or to get involved visit the Our Future Starts at Home website

Legislative Advocacy Initiatives

Arc Northland works closely with Arc Minnesota on legislative advocacy initiatives. Arc Northland is able to keep a pulse on the unique needs of the Arrowhead Region while supporting needs of Minnesotans as a whole.

The 2024 legislative session has concluded. Together with disabled leaders, self-advocates, parents and family members, coalition partners, and other allies, we worked to advance policy solutions that create positive systems and social change. Through public policy work, we can:

-Promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

-Advance equity

-Support true belonging in community

Our 2024 policy goals cover five main areas:

Social and Community Context

Education Access and Quality

Economic Stability

Neighborhood and Built Environment

Health Access and Quality

These are called Social Determinants (Drivers) of Health. Building our agenda around the Social Determinants (Drivers) of Health shows how different policy issues are connected as they impact the lives of people with disabilities.

Here is the 2024 legislative agenda that was created by our Public Policy Committee and passed by the Board of Directors:

Social & Community Context

Inclusive Playgrounds

All children should play side-by-side. Investing in bonding projects that help build safe, inclusive playgrounds across the state will result in long-term, positive benefits for all. It will help children with disabilities foster true belonging in community from an early age.

Education Access & Quality

Educator Awareness of Ableism

A statewide training for educators and school staff on ableism will provide a foundation for improving inclusion in Minnesota’s schools. The training must be developed and provided by people with disabilities as they are the experts in how ableism impacts students. This will help create a supportive and positive educational experience for all students.

Economic Stability

MA-EPD Reform

Lowering premiums for the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program will help people with disabilities get out of poverty. Ensuring that people with disabilities are able to work and build financial stability will improve their quality of life and our economy overall. It is critical for people to be able to work while maintaining the safety net supports that help them thrive.

Subminimum Wage Phase-Out

The state of Minnesota must phase out 14(c) subminimum wage certificates, segregated employment, and other employment-related policies that discriminate against disabled people. The state has already made wise investments to support lead agencies, case managers, and providers to transition away from subminimum wage. Now is the time to correct decades of discrimination by supporting fair wages for disabled people and ensure they have equal opportunity to work in integrated environments at competitive wages, in jobs that meet their skills and interests.

Neighborhood & Built Environment

Our Future Starts at Home Constitutional Amendment

Voters should have the opportunity to decide if they want to dedicate state funding to end:

housing instability

homelessness

disparities in home ownership

and expensive rental costs.

The Our Future Starts at Home Constitutional Amendment creates the Household and Community Stability Fund, the Home Ownership Opportunity Fund, and the Rental Opportunity fund. These funds will:

reduce disparities

support community-based solutions

improve the condition of homes

increase accessibility

and decrease energy costs.

The funds put communities and people with lived experience, including people with disabilities, at the center. Disabled Minnesotans will benefit from dedicated and consistent funding in housing.

Health Access & Quality

Self-Directed Services Reform

People with disabilities must have self-directed options that support consistent, high-quality staff and flexible services that meet their needs. The legislature must end unequal funding between CDCS and traditional waiver options. They must direct lead agencies to follow and implement state policy so there is consistency across the state. The Department of Human Services must monitor and enforce state policies so that disabled Minnesotans can direct their own services and have more choice and control in their lives.

You can review the full legislative agenda here

2023 Support Agenda

Important Election Dates in 2024

Primary Election Day

August 13, 2024

First Day to Early Vote by Mail or In Person for the General Election

September 20, 2024

National Disability Voting Rights Week

September 9-13, 2024

Last Day to Register for Early Voting in the General Election

October 15, 2024

Last Day to Early Vote by Mail or In Person for the General Election

November 4, 2024

General Election Day

November 5, 2024

Arc Northland offers a variety of services to help and support individuals and families with disabilities throughout Northeastern Minnesota.

We are successful in advocating for people with disabilities and their families because of the support of local businesses and community members.
Please consider making a contribution that will improve the future for people of all ages with disabilities throughout Northeastern Minnesota.

Need help? Let us know what questions you have and how we can help.