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Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are a key part of a long-term care facility’s emergency preparedness plan, helping ensure residents can be safely transferred or temporarily sheltered when a facility cannot maintain operations.

You have questions. Our experts have answers. Join us for the Meet the Experts: Summer Series, a free virtual series from LeadingAge Minnesota created to help aging services providers navigate complex rules, regulations, and day-to-day challenges.

Connect with our team, hear from experienced experts, and learn how we support providers across the field. Open to members and prospective members.

Upcoming sessions

• June 30: Kelly Conrad and Shelli Bakken - Register here
• July 28: Kari Everson and Mark Schulz - Register here
• August 25: Anna Mowry, Jeff Bostic, and Julie Apold - Register here

Time: 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE

Save the dates and register today!

Accurate MDS practice is critical to aligning resident care, quality outcomes, and financial performance. To support providers in strengthening this work, LeadingAge Minnesota is offering two in-person MDS training opportunities tailored to different experience levels.

On May 1^st, the U.S. Department of Education published a final rule implementing changes to federal student loan limits for graduate and professional degree programs. The rule finalizes, without modification, the Department’s definition of “professional degree,” despite significant concerns raised during the public comment period.

A review of mechanical lift–related falls in Quarter 4 of 2025 reveals clear, recurring patterns. These events highlight system-level gaps that can be addressed with reliable processes and consistent practices.

The federal push to standardize quality in home and community-based services (HCBS) just got a lot more concrete, and a bit more complicated.

As reported by LeadingAge National, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken a more stringent approach to reviewing Form I-9 documentation, raising compliance risks for employers.

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a new, in-depth webinar series designed specifically for nursing home quality leaders who want to strengthen their understanding and use of federal quality programs.

Registration is now open for LeadingAge Minnesota’s June district meetings, offering members an opportunity to connect, collaborate and stay informed on key issues impacting aging services across the state.

The 2026 edition of the Older Adult Services Orientation Manual is now available. This updated resource is designed to help board members quickly understand the complex and evolving world of aging services. Written in clear, accessible language, it includes an overview of key areas across the field along with a helpful glossary of terms. 

The Central Minnesota Council on Aging has released a new funding opportunity through the Title III E National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP)—designed to strengthen services that support family and informal caregivers of older adults. 

LeadingAge Minnesota is launching a new, coordinated Emergency Preparedness Training Series to support assisted living providers, with nursing homes encouraged to participate.

MDH recently notified nursing homes that submitted proposals in the current moratorium exceptions round of their approval status. All five proposals were approved, representing a total annual state cost of just under $1.1 million.

As a reminder, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) maintains several very useful and informative websites for nursing home providers. 

Late last week, CMS released the annual proposed PPS rule. That rule, which will be adopted in final form around Aug. 1, implements annual rate updates and other Medicare policy changes impacting SNFs. This year’s rule proposes a 2.4% increase in SNF rates effective Oct. 1, reflecting relatively low inflation. Wage index values also update on that date, meaning the actual rate increase will vary from the inflation increase. 

As the demands on aging services professionals continue to grow, access to timely, practical education is more important than ever. LeadingAge Minnesota is offering two valuable virtual learning opportunities this spring designed to support both frontline clinical teams and organizational leaders navigating policy changes.

Chris Knoll, a LeadingAge Minnesota member and CEO of Minnewaska Community Health Services, has secured the Republican endorsement for Minnesota Senate District 21. The endorsement was announced following the district convention, where party delegates selected Knoll as their preferred candidate to succeed retiring Senator Bill Weber. 

In a response to concerns about possible increases in eviction filings related to Operation Metro Surge, the St. Paul City Council recently approved a temporary 60-day pre-eviction filing notice ordinance on a unanimous 7-0 vote.

We’re hearing from providers across Minnesota about a shared challenge: strong, committed nursing assistant (CNAs) learners who struggle—not because they can’t do the work, but because training materials don’t fully support how they learn. That’s why OnTrack has expanded support for multilingual learners in CNA programs.

Falls with Major Injury (FMI) has long been one of the most closely watched quality measures in long-term care. It directly affects public reporting, survey scrutiny, and Five-Star Quality Ratings. However, a major shift is underway in how this measure is calculated.

Each year, The Long-Term Care Imperative conducts a Workforce and Financial Conditions survey to gauge key metrics for the aging services sector.

Members have asked practical questions about how to respond if immigration enforcement activity occurs near their communities. LeadingAge Minnesota has expanded its guidance with new FAQs and an updated resource page, bringing all tools together in one place.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) bases its median family income estimates on data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS). In November, the Census Bureau announced a delay in its release of ACS data.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updates to the State Operations Manual on January 30, 2026. The new changes are effective March 30, 2026. Updates were made to Chapter 5, which outlines complaint investigations and processes, and Chapter 7, which relates to the long-term care survey process.

Finding the right talent is critical — and LeadingAge Minnesota members have an exclusive opportunity to save while recruiting. Members can post open positions on AgingServicesJobs.org, the premier job board for aging services employers, at a significantly reduced rate.

The Duluth Tenants Union, an advocacy group representing renters in Duluth, have signaled their potential efforts to introduce a ballot initiative allowing for rent control caps in the city of Duluth. This same group successfully led a ballot initiative in 2025 for the Right to Repair ordinance, which is now in effect.  

To help more learners succeed in CNA training, OnTrack Nursing Assistant now offers translated learner materials in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong — designed to strengthen comprehension and confidence.

Yesterday, CMS at the White House announced that they would be withholding $259 million in federal funds for Minnesota due to “unsupported or potentially fraudulent Medicaid claims.” The amount was based on a review of claims from the fourth quarter of 2025.

The 2025 Legislature created a new rate exception program under Elderly Waiver (EW) to help hospitals discharge high need residents to assisted living and other EW settings. The new program allows for rates that would otherwise exceed the EW budget caps.

A longtime LeadingAge Minnesota member organization is celebrating a milestone year as its founder receives statewide recognition for leadership in aging services and health care. Dr. Mary Tjosvold, founder and CEO of The Mary T Family of Companies, is being honored by three Minnesota business publications as the organization marks its 50th anniversary in 2026. Congratulations, Mary T and companies!