In August, Dungarvin attended the annual Minnesota Association for Justice Convention in Alexandria. The gathering is a great get-together for attorneys practicing in the state of Minnesota to keep current on emerging topics and issues. Dungarvin’s Intake Manager, Mahin Schroeder, and Marketing Manager, Stephanie Jacobson, attended the three day event and networked with personal injury attorneys to inform them of Dungarvin’s services. Clients (and their families) who unexpectedly face a traumatic injury can absolutely benefit from partnering with Dungarvin to provide support with daily living needs, temporarily or for the long-term.

Thirty plus vendors exhibited at the convention and highlights included a luncheon with the quick witted keynote speaker James Carville, “The Ragin Cajun” and a dinner and awards ceremony with surprise speaker, Governor Mark Dayton.

The Minnesota Association for Justice helps members keep current on emerging topics, issues and trends through high quality seminars, conventions and institutes, as well as invaluable monthly and quarterly publications. Recognizing the importance of protecting consumer rights, the Minnesota Association for Justice impacts critical legislative issues through its effective lobbying efforts. The original purpose of networking continues to be one of the most valuable benefits of the vastly expanded membership of the Minnesota Association for Justice.

Thanks to all that contacted your legislators regarding the support for the 5% rate increase and those who attended the ARRM Day at the Capital on March 4. On June 20th, 2014 Governor Dayton signed a full 5% rate increase for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) into law, as part of the supplemental budget bill. Providers of these services for people with disabilities and older adults received a five percent rate increase effective July 1, 2014. On June 10th ARRM hosted a celebration at the Capital to thank everyone for their effort and support.

Lorissa Slade, Governor Mark Dayton and Samantha Kvilhaug

Greg M. is a person supported in one of the Marinette apartment programs in Wisconsin. A few years ago, Greg started a fundraiser called “Cans for Greg.” Greg has several area businesses that save cans for him and give him donations. Greg picks up the cans, cleans them, and takes them to the recycling center. He then uses the money he raises from recycling the cans to send several children to Lion’s Club summer camp each year.

To promote his fund raising, Greg sends out flyers and he has a video on You Tube, “Cans for Greg”, which his friends helped him make. He was also featured in a Green Bay area news story through Channel 5 WFRV. The story ran on the news channel website on June 11th, 2014.

The Lion’s Club has an account set up at the same location where Greg does his personal banking. After getting the money from recycling cans, Greg deposits the checks into this account set up by the Lion’s Club. Greg is very proud of this. The cost of the camp is $800/child, but the children are able to attend free of charge. It is Greg’s goal each year to raise $1000.00 to donate to the camp. He was a little concerned that he might not make his goal this year. But, thanks to a generous donation from the Granite Foundation in addition to Greg’s personal efforts, Greg was able to exceed his annual goal.

In addition to being proud of his fund raising efforts, Greg is also very proud of his status with the Lion’s Club, where he is an active member with the title of “Lion Tamer”. Greg’s announcement on his phone answering machine even states, “This is Greg the Lion Tamer.” One must be elected to become a member of the Lion’s Club. When Greg requested to join, the board had some concerns about who would mentor him. A man named Mike, who had been friends with Greg’s father, offered to take Greg under his wing. Greg was then elected into the club. Mike said that as good as the Lion’s Club was before, it is even better since Greg joined.

All of us at Dungarvin Wisconsin are proud to know Greg the Lion Tamer.

For over four years Dungarvin has been developing and implementing Supportive Apartment services. We currently serve over 60 people throughout Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota, Washington, Hennepin, Wright, and Benton Counties in individual and shared apartment settings that we call Individualized Housing and Service Options.

We deliver these services where the person wants to live. We work closely with the person and their team to design services and supports that are appropriate for the specific needs of the person at that specific time. We are accustomed to changing and modifying service delivery as these needs change.

We have experience transitioning people from congregate service settings or their family home into more individualized, independent settings in apartments. We know how to educate and prepare people served, families, case managers, and other team members on what to expect as they research and pursue this model of support.

These services are designed to adapt to the increasing or decreasing needs of people who live in their own apartments. Services available include 24-hour emergency staff response with technology and supplemental support in areas including: budgeting, menu planning, grocery shopping, assistance with medical appointments, and additional areas as identified. Supported Apartment services are located throughout the metropolitan and greater MN area.

We hold a monthly meet and greet opportunity at one of our apartment locations for potential individuals to learn more about the people already living in this service option, to meet potential roommates and learn more about this alternative and if it might be a good fit for him or her. If you are interested in learning more about this service option please join us at our next meet and greet on Tuesday, September 16 from 4:00-6:00pm at Lakeshore Oaks. We do ask that you RSVP to Rosaline Allen at 651-699-6050, extension 5666.

“Direct support professionals (DSPs) are people who work directly with people with physical disabilities, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities with the aim of assisting the individual to become integrated into his/her community or the least restrictive environment.”

This week is Direct Support Professionals Week which recognizes the important contributions of all DSP’s throughout the nation. I firmly believe that DSPs are the backbone of our organization, and Dungarvin’s most valuable and irreplaceable asset. On behalf of Dungarvin, I would like to join the 42 governors and the U.S. Senate in sincerely thanking our DSPs for the inspirational and awe inspiring work that they perform with compassion, patience and care each and every day. I am fortunate enough to visit many programs and have observed first-hand the quality and dedication that they bring to the individuals that we support. I am humbled to be in their presence.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.