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Minnesota lawmakers received an updated budget forecast today that increases the chances that they will need to consider budget cuts to address future deficits. The forecast predicts a $456 Million surplus by the end of June 2027, down by $150 million since the last forecast in November of last year.

New and emerging nurse leaders in skilled nursing care centers, assisted living, or home care settings will gain a solid understanding of the foundational elements that make up the nurse leader’s role by attending LeadingAge Minnesota’s Nurse Leadership Program.

Outreach staff from Senator Klobuchar’s office have been travelling Minnesota to convene roundtable discussions with senior care providers, senior advocates, and community leaders.

The Office of Higher Education's (OHE) Dual-Training Pipeline Grant is open for applications until April 15.

The 2025 Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Nursing Facility Performance-Based Incentive Payment Program (PIPP) Request for Proposals (RFP) information is now available.

Each Tuesday, the Department of Human Services (DHS) conducts scheduled maintenance for the NETStudy 2.0 system.

DHS recently updated the assisted living report card by posting new measures based on the inspection surveys conducted by MDH. Those measures are based on tags received the areas of resident health, safety and staffing.

The LTC Imperative recently completed a Workforce and Financial Data Survey and a Nursing Home Occupancy Survey. Thanks to all the members who contributed their data to those surveys.

This morning, HF500, a bill that restores important guardrails on the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, was passed out of the House Labor & Workforce Committee and sent to the floor to await debate before the full body.

LeadingAge Minnesota is thrilled to welcome Shelli Bakken to our staff. Shelli joins the association as Director of Housing Policy & Expert Support.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) held a webinar earlier this month on Feb 19^th bringing together DHS and MDH to review assisted living licensure requirements and the policies and requirements of customized living (the payment program for residents receiving financial support under medical assistance waivers).

Minnesota statute 144G.64 establishes mandatory training in dementia care, mental illness, and de-escalation for all assisted living facilities. This ensures staff are equipped to provide quality care and manage challenging situations effectively.

On Feb. 24, the Department of Human Services posted notice the issue surrounding NETStudy 2.0 not accepting payments for applications submitted on Feb. 19 has been resolved.

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, and join us for LeadingAge Minnesota’s Day at the Capitol—your opportunity to advocate for aging services and make a lasting impact on the lawmakers and policies that shape senior care in Minnesota.

On Thursday, Feb. 27, LeadingAge Minnesota and our Imperative partner testified in support of HF1419 and HF500. Each bill was introduced in the House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee – HF1419 would fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board’s (NHWSB) mandates and provide an annual update to the Elderly Waiver rates. HF500 would prevent any standards from going into effect unless they are fully funded by the legislature this year.

Beginning April 9, this 11-day interactive program is designed specifically for administrators, site leaders, and operational staff in assisted living and care center communities to build essential knowledge and practical skills to manage operations effectively.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, Vivie announced that Northfield Retirement Community is joining Vivie in its mission to enrich, empower, and elevate people throughout life’s journey.

The deadline for registering a team for this year’s ICan Quality Improvement Contest is March 20. The contest involves developing and implementing a Quality Improvement project identified and led by front-line staff.

In assisted living settings, stock medications and conventional medication management systems are unavailable. The Minnesota Association for Geriatric Inspired Clinicians (MAGIC), created standing house orders (SHO) for assisted living organizations for the first time this year. MAGIC also updates SHO for nursing homes annually.

The Minnesota Department of Health is exploring infection prevention and control barriers in long-term care settings utilizing Collaborative Systems Change. Initial research for areas of study has concluded and focus group work will begin soon. MDH issued a gov. delivery last week that included the areas of study along with additional information about the research process.

Each year, our Stars Among Us Awards recognize incredible individuals – whether staff, volunteers, or leaders – and entire organizations who demonstrate unique commitment to transforming and enhancing the experience of aging across Minnesota.

This week, Senate Human Services Committee members took public testimony on the Governor's budget, which outlines significant cuts to services for people with disabilities, older adults, and Minnesota counties. This was a critical forum for Minnesotans and their providers to give specific examples of the harm this budget would cause.

Assisted Living licensed providers of customized living services who applied before December 31, 2023, to transition to DHS licensing as a community residential setting may qualify for a license transition support opportunity.

Earlier this week, LeadingAge MN Vice President of Advocacy, Erin Huppert, testified before the House Human Services Policy & Finance Committee to share serious concerns and opposition to Governor Walz' proposed budget.

Health Dimensions Group® (HDG®), a leading senior living, post-acute, and long-term care consulting and management firm based in Minneapolis, MN, has promoted Paul Branin to executive vice president of growth. With this promotion, Branin will join HDG’s Executive Leadership Team.

Significant changes are coming for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). On March 24, 2025, new and revised surveyor guidance, including updated critical element pathways, will take effect.

Late Wednesday night, House Republicans and House Democrats finally reached a power sharing agreement, three weeks after the legislative session began.

Thirty years ago, the concept of Fairview Partners began when Fairview Health Services was awarded a prestigious Robert Wood Johnson foundation grant.

As of Jan. 27, 2025, the nurse aide knowledge test became available in Spanish, Somali, and Hmong, in addition to English, as allowed by Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.61.

A $250,000 grant from the Next50 Foundation will allow LeadingAge, our national partner, to establish a Leadership Diversity Fellowship pilot program to help a high-potential, racially and ethnically diverse group of 10 fellows enter the field of aging services.