People inside the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on Tuesday could be heard talking about the “sea of green” winding through the building’s halls and up to the rotunda. That “sea” included more than 200 Dungarvin staff and individuals served donning green T-shirts and participating in the annual Disability Services Day at the Capitol.
Dungarvin is a national organization providing services to people in need of supports in Minnesota and 16 other states. Its staff and individuals served joined thousands of other Minnesotans packing the Capitol’s three-story rotunda to rally in support for disability services funding and the professionals who provide those services.
During the event, organizers, advocates and several legislators spoke about proposed cuts to funding for disability services. They rallied the crowd and led them in chants, raising the energy and noise levels in the vast, domed space.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s budget proposal includes $400 million in reductions to Medicaid waiver disability services. That reduction would be in addition to the $1 billion in cuts the Legislature approved during its last session, according to the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM), which represents nearly 200 Minnesota service providers.
Dungarvin collaborates with ARRM for the rally every year, and Dungarvin Minnesota Senior Director Anna Hegland is Chair of ARRM’s Board of Directors.
Dungarvin Minnesota Director and Advocacy Committee Chairman David Wilson talks with staff about plans for the day.
“ARRM has a list of legislative priorities with specific bill numbers, and these will be handed out to the lawmakers,” said Dungarvin Minnesota Director and Advocacy Committee Chairman David Wilson. “Our message is simple: Cuts have a cost. The legislators should provide adequate funding for services to our most vulnerable citizens,” he said.
After the rally, many Dungarvin staff members and individuals served met with lawmakers to explain how proposed funding reductions would impact their lives, and to ask them to vote against those cuts.
Among attendees was Program Manager April Slosson, who has participated the last five years. She said it’s important to show up.
“It’s absolutely crucial to advocate not only for our persons served but for our support staff,” April said. “Our whole field is affected by everything that happens here today and throughout the year. These bills and policies being considered really affect our entire company.”
Disability services are not optional; they are essential, ARRM and Dungarvin advocates said, and proposed cuts would:
- Increase waitlists for critical supports
- Increase strain on families and local communities
- Create workforce shortages among caregivers and providers
- Raise emergency and institutional care costs
- Increase hospitalizations and crises
Dungarvin Minnesota Senior Director and ARRM Board Chair Anna Hegland spoke during the event.
“Dungarvin is a leader in this industry, and when we join thousands of other advocates at the Capitol, we become an undeniable force for change,” David said. “Participating is about ensuring that the people we support aren’t invisible to the people making the laws. Legislative decisions made in those halls directly dictate the quality of life for our individuals and the stability of our workforce. We go to Disability Services Day at the Capitol to provide the human stories needed for good policies.”
If you are interested in Dungarvin services in Minnesota or other states, visit our new website at www.dungarvin.com to find out more.