The MN-CCD Blog

Self-Advocate Spotlight: Kjensmo Walker

mnccd — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:23:11 +0000

Tomorrow is MN-CCD’s last Tuesday at the Capitol for the 2013 Legislative Session! To mark the end of a great session of advocacy, check out the following interview with all-star self-advocate Kjensmo Walker! Written by Stephanie Kolari, Program Manager, Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

Tuesday, May 14 will be the final MN-CCD’s “Tuesdays at the Capitol”. This week, we are recognizing self-advocates. This session proved to be full of triumph and frustration. Through it all, self-advocates showed up and demonstrated the strength and resilience of the disability community in Minnesota. To highlight an example of this, we are happy to introduce you to an amazing self-advocate, Kjensmo Walker. Kjensmo is involved in community outreach and engagement, connecting residents with work force resources. Kjensmo holds a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota. She has volunteered with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, various transit advocacy groups.

My name is Kjensmo Walker, and I am a person with a disability. I was a typical 21-year-old when I got diagnosed with epilepsy, and my life got turned upside down. I lost the ability to drive and was stuck in my house in the suburbs. I realized then that driving is a privilege afforded only to those of a certain age, ability, and class. Transportation should be a right for all people, and I began investigating how best to make this happen. I moved to the city and quickly became an advocate for real transportation solutions that work for everyone.

I’ve often said that having a disability is a full-time job. All the forms, phone calls, time spent in line at their offices and chasing down the proofs they require. I needed a lot of help to understand and complete all these requirements. It is difficult and stressful. For a long time, I just tried my best to do what the various agencies asked of me to stay in compliance with their demands. I thought that was all I could do.

In January 2012 my mentor at the Epilepsy Foundation, Stephanie Kolari, suggested I come to a Friday meeting of the MN-CCD at the Capitol. I didn’t know anyone, was overwhelmed by all the people, and I didn’t understand what they were talking about! But they were all so friendly and eager to talk with me about the issues. I learned that the CCD works to change, through advocacy, laws and legislation, the rights of people like me! I had no clue that the rules that constrict my life were changeable, and to see what a talented, smart, inclusive group the CCD was – how dedicated they are to making MY life better – I was blown away. They encouraged me to get involved, and a whole new world opened up for me.

After two legislative sessions with the CCD I still feel like a beginner. There is so much to learn, but the staff and friends of the CCD are friendly and helpful. I feel like I’m making a difference just by showing up. “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.” No matter your ability, the CCD makes being an advocate easy and fun, all you have to do is show up!

: All-Star Advocate Kjensmo Walker has been a fixture at the Capitol this session, advocating for public policy that impacts the disability community.

Filed under: Public Policy

Disability Matters WEEK at the Capitol! April 22 – April 26

mnccd — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:46:27 +0000

There is just over a month left of the 2013 Minnesota legislative session. State legislators will be making critical decisions about disability programs and services and setting the state budget for the next two years. Make sure your story and your voice is heard! Join hundreds of Minnesotans with disabilities, loved ones and disability advocates for one of several exciting advocacy events going on throughout Disability Matters Week at the State Capitol, April 22 through April 26.

On Tuesday, April 23, join disability advocates at the MN-CCD Tuesday at the Capitol and catch an exciting press conference. Join us again for the annual Disability Day at the Capitol (Disability Day at the Capitol Flyer 2013) on Thursday, April 25, including participating in an exciting noon rally in the Capitol Rotunda.

While advocating at the Capitol throughout Disability Matters Week don’t forget to check out the MN-CCD Faces of Disability exhibit which will be showcased in the North Corridor of the State Capitol. We encourage you to invite your legislators to attend the exhibit along with you! The exhibit will feature artwork, portraits and personal stories of Minnesotans with disabilities; raising awareness of the diversity and positive contributions of the disability community.

Faces of Disability Week (Faces of Disability 2013 Poster)

Location:

North Corridor of the Minnesota State Capitol

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Saint Paul, MN, 55155

Dates:

April 22 – April 26, 2013

The exhibit will be on display Monday through Friday during Capitol building hours.

For More Information:

Visit www.mnccd.org or contact MN-CCD Executive Director, Rebecca Covington, by email rebecca@mnccd.org or telephone 952-818-8718.

Filed under: Public Policy

Legislators Leave Advocates with HHS Budget Confusion, Leave for Vacation

mnccd — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:30:16 +0000

Our legislative leaders dropped a budget bomb on Health and Human Services— and then went on session break.

Last Thursday, DFL Leadership in the House and Senate released their budget targets for FY 2014-2015. As many within our community already know, this was not good news for the HHS budget. The projected budget for HHS is approximately $11.4 billion (February Forecast). The Senate’s proposed budget targets would cut the HHS projected budget by $150 million, while the House’s proposed budget targets would cut the HHS projected budget by $152.8 million. Our legislative leaders and our executive leadership disagree on the budget needs of HHS by approximately $320 million, or $360 million if one includes the $39 million in new spending that the governor is including in his net calculation. This is a huge blow to our advocates and our organizations who have worked diligently to communicate to our elected officials the importance of adequately funding HHS after having experienced years of devastating budget cuts.

Click for Budget Target in Visual Format: HHS Budget Target Infographic

What does a $150 million cut mean?

The Budget Target that was proposed by DFL leadership in the House (Speaker Thissen, Majority Leader E. Murphy) and the Senate (Majority Leader Bakk, Assistant Majority Leader Sieben) requires the HHS budget to use $150 million less funding from the General Fund to fund the $11.4 billion the HHS budget is projected to need to fund it’s programs and services for the FY 2014-2015. The $150 million can be reconciled through a mix of revenue increases and spending cuts within the HHS budget, or through revenue increases or spending cuts alone. For example, the HHS finance committees can choose to raise fees within their own budget, without cutting from any specific area within the budget, to total $150 million in overall cost savings.

What about the details?

Legislators are expected to release information on funding for specific items within the HHS budget target that they have proposed in early April. The HHS Finance Committee chairs in the House (Rep. Huntley) and in the Senate (Sen. Lourey) will be tasked with leading their colleagues through the process of identifying targets within the HHS budget for opportunities to increase revenue or cut spending, by April 19th. While there is a great deal of speculation on what this will mean to programs and services that our member organizations and persons with disabilities rely on, we will have very few concrete details until legislators come back from session break next week. Several in-district meetings with legislators are taking place over the session break through MN-CCD member organizations, and we will pass along insights from the meetings as they become available.

What are our elected officials saying about the budget targets?

DFL leadership is confident they have the ability to find cost savings within the HHS budget. HHS Finance Committee chairs are adamant that the HHS budget simply can’t be squeezed anymore, especially after years of absorbing budget cuts to the detriment of those who need support the most. Minnesota’s governor feels that now is the time to support the needs within the HHS budget, and begin to repair the damage of a decade of cuts. While these generalities don’t give us specific information on how the budget target disconnect will be resolved, it does tell us that there is a great deal of conflict within the majority caucus on the issue of HHS budget needs. Below is a sampling of news articles, illustrating our elected officials opinions on the budget targets.

Health care groups line up against DFL cuts _ Capitol View _ Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota House and Senate Democrats propose $150 million health budget cut _ Worthington Daily Globe _ Worthington, Minnesota

Minnesota_Senate_DFLers_propose_raising_taxes_by_2_billion

http://politicsinminnesota.com/2013/03/health-care-groups-protest-proposed-cuts-in-house-and-senate-budgets/

Filed under: Public Policy

Committees to Watch

mnccd — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 00:01:58 +0000

With the second committee deadline coming up quickly (Friday, March 22nd) and the Legislature’s Session Spring Break right around the corner, this week will be full of last-minute schedule changes and evening committee meetings. In addition to checking out the notable committee meeting list below, refer to the MN Legislature’s website frequently for agenda changes.

Committees to watch this week 3_18_13

Filed under: Public Policy

MA Bills move forward with support of dedicated advocates!

mnccd — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:21:57 +0000

It’s been a busy week at the Legislature! As our elected officials worked into the early morning to meet bill deadlines and debate policy, disability community advocates were also working tirelessly to ensure Medical Assistance (MA) Income Standard Increase legislation was heard in both the House and Senate.

The House HHS Policy committee met this morning at 9:00am, with HF 1039 on the agenda. Committee Chair Liebling introduced the bill, stating that although health care reforms are doing a lot of great things, they’re not fixing all the problems. Rep. Loeffler, the bill’s chief author, provided and overview of the bill (and amendment) to committee members, urging passage of the bill as an “opportunity for us to step up…and keep up to the changes in service delivery”. Rep. Loeffler reminded the audience that Minnesota has been a leader in keeping people with disabilities in their own homes, and supporting people where they want to stay. The committee moved to pass HF 1039, which now awaits a hearing in HHS Finance.

Testimony from both Anne Henry, legal staff with the MN Disability Law Center, and Kari Sheldon, advocate with ADAPT and ACT, illustrated the need for an income standard increase and asset limit reform (See Pictures Below).

Bill Author Rep. Loeffler and Anne Henry, MN Disability Law Center

Advocate Kari Sheldon and Rep. Loeffler

The Senate Health, Human Services and Housing committee is currently meeting, and just finished hearing SF 762. Senate chief author Sen. Hoffman reviewed the bill for committee members, urging his fellow Senators to move people with disabilities and the elderly “up to the new MA limit in line with everyone else in MA”. After additional compelling testimony, Committee Chair Sheran took a moment to acknowledge advocate Kari Sheldon, who received outstanding recognition for her advocacy work, as an example and inspiration to all that a disability doesn’t have to block you “from doing as much as you possibly can”. The committee moved to pass the bill, which is now awaiting a hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Finance Division.

Read Kari’s testimony to the Legislature:

Kari Sheldon Testimony for income guidelines (2)

Filed under: Public Policy

Committees to Watch: MA Income Standard Increase Edition

mnccd — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:31:21 +0000

In addition to our weekly committee watch list, we will be focusing on contacting committee chairs in Health and Human Services Policy committees to urge them to include a hearing on the MA Income Standard Increase bill. Please see the fact sheets and action alert below, and pass along to your advocates!

MA Income Standard Increase Action Alert

MA Income stnd background 2-13+ Chart

Committees to watch this week 3_11_13

Filed under: Public Policy