The Minnesota Senate recently passed over $20 million of grant funding for home and community-based disability service providers. The Minnesota Department of Health has halted  the operations of service providers, employment service providers, and other similar entities since mid-March. With little or no revenue, many providers were forced to close their doors. Senate File One of the third special session will give these providers some short-term relief to pay employees and uphold health and safety standards.

“We have some of the state’s best local home and community-based disability service providers right here in NW MN who serve a critical role caring for our most vulnerable residents,” said Senator Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks). “DHS’s policy choices have resulted in several DAC’s across the state to close their doors. Our state government should be in the business of protecting and assisting our most vulnerable communities, funding our DAC’s is a commonsense choice.”

This bill designates at least two-thirds of one month of revenue to providers around the state. This will not make them whole as many have not been able to operate for months, but it will provide some stability as they overcome the financial strain of closures necessitated by COVID-19.

Additionally, another $10 million will also be appropriated from the coronavirus relief fund for disability service provider public health grants to ensure facilities have the resources they need to safely social distance when they are able to reopen.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously.