Fund 24-Hour Home Care for Minnesotans with Severe Disability
The Issue
My son Matthew is profoundly autistic and has complex medical, neurological, sensory, and behavioral needs. Despite requiring significant supervision and support, he currently receives only 6.5 hours of PCA services per day.
Families like ours are facing an impossible situation.
There are not enough caregivers because wages remain too low to attract and retain staff willing to work with individuals who have severe disabilities and complex medical needs. Even wages of $25 per hour are often not enough to recruit qualified caregivers.
Minnesota has made important progress by expanding waiver services to include overnight support for individuals with severe disabilities. However, much more needs to be done.
Families caring for children and adults with severe disabilities are running out of options.
Residential placements are limited or unavailable for many medically complex individuals, and crisis homes frequently report that they cannot safely manage these needs. Too often, families are left with no option except emergency rooms and hospitals during periods of crisis.
Seeking medical care for a child in crisis should never place families at risk of losing custody or being treated as though they have failed their child.
Parents bring their children to hospitals because they trust the medical system to help them.
Many individuals with severe autism experience neurological symptoms, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, sensory challenges, immune dysfunction, and behavioral changes that require comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment.
My son thrives with community activities, swimming lessons, parks, outings, and the comfort of his family. He deserves the opportunity to remain in his home and community with the people who know him best.
Families should be supported in caring for their loved ones at home whenever possible.
We are asking Minnesota leaders to:
Increase PCA and direct support professional wages to recruit and retain qualified staff.
Expand waiver funding for medically complex individuals living at home.
Provide access to overnight staffing and nursing support when medically necessary.
Invest in community-based services that keep families together.
Improve access to specialized medical and behavioral care for individuals with severe disabilities.
Ensure families can seek medical care and second opinions without fear of unnecessary family separation.
This issue affects children, adults, and seniors across Minnesota.
Residential programs are closing while the need for services continues to grow.
The answer cannot be leaving families without support.
Our loved ones deserve dignity, safety, quality medical care, and the opportunity to remain in their communities with the people who love them most.
Please stand with Minnesota families and support stronger home and community-based services for individuals with severe disabilities.
Together, we can build a system that supports families instead of separating them.
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The Issue
My son Matthew is profoundly autistic and has complex medical, neurological, sensory, and behavioral needs. Despite requiring significant supervision and support, he currently receives only 6.5 hours of PCA services per day.
Families like ours are facing an impossible situation.
There are not enough caregivers because wages remain too low to attract and retain staff willing to work with individuals who have severe disabilities and complex medical needs. Even wages of $25 per hour are often not enough to recruit qualified caregivers.
Minnesota has made important progress by expanding waiver services to include overnight support for individuals with severe disabilities. However, much more needs to be done.
Families caring for children and adults with severe disabilities are running out of options.
Residential placements are limited or unavailable for many medically complex individuals, and crisis homes frequently report that they cannot safely manage these needs. Too often, families are left with no option except emergency rooms and hospitals during periods of crisis.
Seeking medical care for a child in crisis should never place families at risk of losing custody or being treated as though they have failed their child.
Parents bring their children to hospitals because they trust the medical system to help them.
Many individuals with severe autism experience neurological symptoms, chronic pain, sleep disturbances, sensory challenges, immune dysfunction, and behavioral changes that require comprehensive medical evaluation and treatment.
My son thrives with community activities, swimming lessons, parks, outings, and the comfort of his family. He deserves the opportunity to remain in his home and community with the people who know him best.
Families should be supported in caring for their loved ones at home whenever possible.
We are asking Minnesota leaders to:
Increase PCA and direct support professional wages to recruit and retain qualified staff.
Expand waiver funding for medically complex individuals living at home.
Provide access to overnight staffing and nursing support when medically necessary.
Invest in community-based services that keep families together.
Improve access to specialized medical and behavioral care for individuals with severe disabilities.
Ensure families can seek medical care and second opinions without fear of unnecessary family separation.
This issue affects children, adults, and seniors across Minnesota.
Residential programs are closing while the need for services continues to grow.
The answer cannot be leaving families without support.
Our loved ones deserve dignity, safety, quality medical care, and the opportunity to remain in their communities with the people who love them most.
Please stand with Minnesota families and support stronger home and community-based services for individuals with severe disabilities.
Together, we can build a system that supports families instead of separating them.
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Petition created on July 14, 2022