News Archives
February 2026 Archives
Below is a list of all of the articles published in the selected month, ordered from most recent to least.
Duluth Rent Control Being Contemplated
On February 26, 2026 by Shelli Bakken
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.
New! Virtual Technology Demo Day on Fall Prevention
On February 26, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
Falls continue to be one of the most persistent and costly challenges in long-term care—impacting resident wellbeing, staff response time, quality measures, and regulatory performance. Our new Virtual Technology Demo Day on Fall Prevention brings together leading technology partners to showcase practical, data-backed solutions that can help you reduce fall risk and strengthen outcomes across your organization.
Make Your Voice Heard: Register for LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2026 Day at the Capitol
On February 26, 2026 by Kayla Khang
Legislators need to hear directly from long-term care providers. Day at the Capitol is your opportunity to make that happen.
New Multilingual Video Series to Support Your Workforce Recruitment
On February 26, 2026 by Kirstan Ketter
The LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation has developed a new five-part video series designed to help member providers recruit and onboard talent from Minnesota’s immigrant and refugee communities.
Funding Opportunity: Up to $1 Million Available in Customized Living Quality Improvement (CLQI) Grants
On February 26, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Aging and Adult Services Division (AASD), and Disability Services Division (DSD) have announced a new Request for Proposal for the Customized Living Quality Improvement (CLQI) Grant Program.
Apply by April 8: Minnesota Dual Training Grant Now Open
On February 26, 2026 by Anna Mowry
Up to $150,000 available to help you train and retain nursing assistants, LPNs, RNs, and other key staff through structured dual-training programs.
Support Multilingual Learners with New Translated OnTrack Materials
On February 26, 2026 by Anna Mowry
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.
New Resource: Addressing “Med Not Available” Medication Errors
On February 26, 2026 by Julie Apold
The Addressing “Med Not Available” Medication Errors Resource was developed by a work group of the LeadingAge Minnesota Quality Committee to support members in building systematic, effective processes to both prevent and respond to medications not being available to administer to residents.
CMS Announces Withhold of over $250 Million in Medicaid Funds for Minnesota
On February 26, 2026 by Jeff Bostic
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.
2026 Session Priorities for Minnesota’s Older Adults
On February 26, 2026 by Erin Huppert
As we previewed in last week’s Capitol Conversations newsletter, we can expect lawmakers this year to focus on messaging bills, sharper partisan contrasts, and a heavy emphasis on positioning rather than policymaking. In an election year, some bills are intended to send a message to potential voters and constituents, rather than become law.
Operations Certificate Program – Why It Matters For You
On February 19, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
Recently, we announced that registration was open for our Operations Certificate Program. As we look ahead to our April 1 start date, we want to share more about what participants can expect and why this program comes at the right time for our members.
2026 Virtual Institute March 3-5
On February 19, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
Join us March 3-5 for the Virtual Institute. Three days of all-new sessions on topics to help you serve your residents. All virtual sessions will be recorded and available for viewing through April 30.
New Year, New Funding: Use the LeadingAge Minnesota Grant Grid to Fund Your Next Project
On February 19, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
Are you looking for additional funding this year to expand the great work you’re already doing? LeadingAge Minnesota’s Grant Grid is a practical, at-a-glance tool designed to help aging service providers quickly identify funding opportunities that align with their program and strategic goals.
New Resource – Assisted Living Food Code Compliance Toolkit
On February 19, 2026 by Julie Apold
The Food Code Compliance Toolkit was developed to support assisted living facilities in meeting—and exceeding—Minnesota food code requirements.
Now Live: Multilingual Video Series for Recruitment, Retention & Advancement!
On February 19, 2026 by Kirstan Ketter
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new five-part, documentary-style video series designed to both welcome and support New Americans exploring careers in Minnesota’s aging services workforce.
Claims Data Is Changing the Story Behind Antipsychotic Use in SNFs
On February 19, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
For years, skilled nursing facilities have told their quality story primarily through the MDS. If it wasn’t coded on the assessment, it often didn’t exist in the eyes of CMS quality measures. That framework is now changing—decisively.
Errors Identified in Assisted Living Report Card Ratings
On February 19, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
Minnesota’s Assisted Living Report Card is designed to help consumers make informed decisions when choosing an assisted living community. The online tool provides quality ratings for individual assisted living settings across several key categories, including resident quality of life, family satisfaction, resident health, safety, and staffing.
Join Us for LeadingAge Minnesota’s 2026 Day at the Capitol
On February 19, 2026 by Kayla Khang
Legislators need to hear directly from long-term care providers and Day at the Capitol is your opportunity to make that happen.
CMS Revises Special Focus Facility Program: Fall Prevalence Now a Key Selection Criterion
On February 19, 2026 by Kari Everson
On January 28, 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued Quality, Safety, and Oversight memo QSO-26-01, revising the criteria used to select nursing homes for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program. This update carries meaningful implications for all member facilities, and we want to make sure you understand what changed and what steps you should be taking now.
DHS Implementing New Elderly Waiver Rate Exceptions for High Needs Residents
On February 19, 2026 by Jeff Bostic
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.
Milestone Year Brings Multiple Honors for Leader of LeadingAge Minnesota Member Organization
On February 12, 2026 by Ben Hansen
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!
Celebrating the 2026 Stars Among Us Award Winners
On February 12, 2026 by Ben Hansen
On February 10, 2026, LeadingAge Minnesota proudly honored the very best of aging services at our annual Stars Among Us Awards Banquet. For more than 35 years, our Stars Among Us Awards have recognized the individuals and organizations whose leadership, compassion, innovation, and dedication elevate the lives of older adults across Minnesota.
Appeals Court Hears Arguments in Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board Lawsuit
On February 12, 2026 by Mark Schulz
On February 11, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit heard oral arguments in the matter of the legal action that LeadingAge Minnesota, along with our partner in the Long-Term Care Imperative (LTCI), filed in late 2024 challenging the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB) and the Holiday Pay Rule.
Operations Certificate Program – Registration Open
On February 5, 2026 by Sharon Hollister
Beginning April 1, this 10-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.
Benedictine Acquires Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany
On February 5, 2026 by LeadingAge Minnesota
Benedictine has welcomed Mother of Mercy Senior Living, 230 Church Avenue, Albany, Minn., to its family of senior living communities.
Adult Day Services: Revalidation Is Underway
On February 5, 2026 by Kelly Conrad
Adult Day Services providers have an important revalidation step to complete in 2026. Last month, high-risk providers, including Adult Day Services, were informed they must complete an off-cycle revalidation by May 31, 2026.