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LeadingAge Minnesota submitted comprehensive comments to strengthen the State of Minnesota’s application to CMS’ new Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Our recommendations emphasize workforce solutions, improved access to care, and sustainable models for aging services in rural communities—ensuring older Minnesotans can continue to receive care close to home.

Late last week, we were asked by The Minnesota Star Tribune to provide comment on an article about a supposed trend of more seniors choosing assisted living than nursing homes. Despite our best efforts to obtain more information regarding these “trends,” the piece was already moving toward publication. We chose to provide a statement, which was included in the published article.

District Meetings Begin Oct. 7.  

Fall District Meetings start Oct. 7 – featuring fire safety preparedness and expanding workforce. Join your regional colleagues for connection, education, and lunch. Includes 2 free CEUs. 

LeadingAge Minnesota is pleased to announce a new partnership with Reemo Health, a company delivering innovative technology solutions designed to support older adults and enhance independent living.

We’re excited to share news from LeadingAge Minnesota member, St. Francis Health Services of Morris. This month, they announced the launch of the St. Francis Legacy Foundation, a new effort to protect access to quality care in Minnesota communities.

LeadingAge Minnesota is hosting two consecutive webinars on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 1–3 p.m. to help providers prepare for the Jan. 1, 2026 implementation of Minnesota’s new Paid Leave law. Sessions will provide practical details and strategic guidance on navigating the state’s complex web of leave requirements. 

Health Dimensions Group^® (HDG^®), a leading senior living, post-acute, and long-term care management and consulting firm based in Minneapolis, Minn., has named Erin Hilligan as its chief operating officer (COO). With this role, Hilligan joins HDG’s Executive Leadership Team.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has begun issuing the calendar year 2025 Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) grant award notices to renew grants for the current year.

The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act has been reintroduced – a federal bill that proposes to recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused immigrant visas—25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians.

Celebrating a Legacy of Vision, Service, and Leadership in Aging Services

LeadingAge Minnesota is proud to honor Bob Dahl, outgoing President and CEO of Cassia, with our prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award — one of the highest honors bestowed by the association. Reserved for individuals who are retiring from a career of distinction in aging services, the award recognizes visionary leadership, enduring impact, and a legacy that inspires future generations.

Operators of independent living senior housing communities are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you! This virtual networking meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 16th from 10 to 11 a.m. 

If this meeting isn’t on your calendar, email Shelli Bakken and you’ll receive an invite.    

Do you have a Tricky Situation to share with the group? A case study review will be shared with an opportunity for those on the call to weigh in on ideas for resolution. Your experience will be key! Bring an idea you have for discussion to this or to future meetings. 

Nursing home members should be aware that they need to submit a minimum wage rate add-on application to DHS in just over two weeks. DHS has provided an application and written instructions to apply for the rate add-on. They also have produced an instructional video that talks through how nursing homes should complete the application as well as a set of guidance in response to issues with some of the early arriving applications. 

The add-on will be calculated using two months of actual wage data for individuals below the minimum standards, then annualized and calculated as a per day rate adjustment that will appear on nursing homes’ 2026 and 2027 rates in the external fixed category where it is not subject to the operating rate caps that will apply starting in 2026. Important note: Applications submitted after Oct. 1 will not be considered, so providers need to get the form completed and returned to receive the funding they are entitled to. Please contact Jeff Bostic with any questions.  

The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is seeking proposals for the Drive for Five Initiative Competitive Grants to conduct outreach, provide education and training, and job placement in high-demand fields, including the caring professions.

You can now use e-Services to create and submit 2025 Certificates of Rent Paid (CRPs). By making 2025 CRPs available now, you have the option to create CRPs for renters who move before the end of the year. You must give each renter a CRP by January 31 of each year.

The Minnesota Health and Education Facilities Authority recently announced an expansion of its services, as the state agency is now able to assist nonprofit healthcare organizations across the state. This enhancement is a direct result of legislation approved in 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated recommendations for flu vaccination for the 2025–2026 flu season. On August 28, 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the guidance that will shape flu prevention efforts nationwide.

In late August, the public health community was surprised by news that Senate-confirmed CDC Director Susan Monarez was terminated, along with the temporary departure of three top CDC officials. The decision followed Director Monarez’s reported refusal to sign off on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for the COVID-19 vaccine.

LeadingAge learned this week of a move within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to execute on President Trump’s March 1 English-as-America’s-official-language Executive Order (EO) by replacing the agency’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) policy with an English-only policy.

Memo

In a memo to HUD employees, HUD deputy secretary Andrew D. Hughes stated that the EO will “enhance social and economic integration,” and reports that the agency will no longer have contracts for translation services for documents or communications, and all paper and online materials in languages other than English would be removed. HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated on Fox News, “… HUD will solely use English for all Departmental business and services. We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission.”

Previously, HUD had a practice of translating materials like resident brochures, documents, and forms into nearly 20 languages.

LeadingAge National confirmed the announcement with HUD leadership, who said that the change would take effect “immediately.” However, next steps and timelines for removing materials and ending contracts is currently unclear, and as of August 20, several translated materials are still available online through HUD’s LEP webpage.

LeadingAge National is working to save translated materials that housing providers may need in order to serve households with diverse LEP needs. Providers are encouraged to consider doing the same, particularly for documents that you use frequently for the population you serve.

Operators of independent senior housing communities are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you! This virtual networking meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 19^th from 10 to 11 a.m.

If you are an operator of a HUD community, you are invited to join our upcoming quarterly networking group. Get together with other operators to network, share best practices, and get the latest updates related to HUD.

Join your colleagues in taking the Safe Lift: STOP for Safety Pledge – a shared commitment to protect residents and staff by reducing lift-related falls. By taking this pledge, your organization commits to implementing the Safe Lift: STOP for Safety 3-Step Process as a standard practice, ensuring every resident transfer is safe, respectful, and reliable.

Cassia is pleased to announce Matthew Kern as its next president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective October 1, 2025.

The 2025 LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation Golf Tournament – held on Aug. 5 at Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury – helped raise funds for the next round of caregiver scholarships. In total, thanks to golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and ticket sales, the event raised over $122,000 before expenses. It was a gorgeous day for golf. 

With the average data breach costing organizations $4.88 million, we must be aware of the leading cybersecurity threats.

The LeadingAge Minnesota QUEST Report is now available for Q1 2025.

The fourteenth edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for order.

In Minnesota, landlords are required to notify residential tenants about the availability of the Minnesota Attorney General's Office Landlords and Tenants: Rights and Responsibilities handbook. 

As shared in last week’s Advantage, there are still several unknowns for how the federal budget bill, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, will impact older adults and the services they need. Minnesota budget officials estimate that the law will result in nearly $500 million in annual losses to our Medicaid program. Most of those reductions will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2027, or later, and will be subject to future state action by the Minnesota Legislature.

We’re taking a fresh look at the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations and want to hear from you. Your feedback will guide improvements to ensure this essential resource meets your needs in the most practical and valuable ways. The survey takes just 3–5 minutes to complete. Please click here to share your input—your voice makes a difference! 

If you are an operator of an independent living senior housing community, you are invited to join the monthly networking group that is specifically designed for you!