Apply for open positions on the Minnesota Medicaid Advisory Committee and Beneficiary Advisory Council by Aug. 31
The Minnesota Department of Human Services wants to hear from people who use Medicaid, families, caregivers, health care providers, counties, health plans, Tribal partners and community partners.
Two groups are forming:
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The Medicaid Advisory Committee (MAC) gives advice about Minnesota Medicaid. In Minnesota, Medicaid is also called Medical Assistance.
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The Beneficiary Advisory Council (BAC) is a group for people who use Medicaid, family members, and caregivers. The BAC helps make sure Medicaid decisions include the voices of people who use the program.
These groups help DHS learn what is working, what is not working, and how Medicaid can better serve people in Minnesota. Read more and apply.
DirectCourse: Free and low-cost online classes
DirectCourse is a learning management system that provides online courses for professionals who support people with disabilities.
Individuals and organizations can access themed collections of courses, also called “colleges” or “programs.” Free and low-cost options include the following collections for care professionals:
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College of Direct Support (CDS) offers courses for care professionals on topics such as civil rights, community inclusion and positive behavior support.
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College of Employment Services (CES) offers courses designed for care professionals who support people with disabilities as they find jobs and encounter challenges.
Sign up for courses
Fill out the DirectCourse request form to sign up for courses. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with detailed enrollment instructions within two to three business days.
The following people can sign up for a free account:
- Direct care professionals and similar caregivers
- Professionals who serve people with disabilities
- Organizations that serve nine or fewer people with disabilities
- People with disabilities and their families
- State, county and tribal nation employees
Arc Minnesota videos available on engaging legislators
The Regional Quality Councils of Arc Minnesota created a series of short videos to help care professionals and others learn how to engage with legislators and advocate for the caregiving profession. Legislators often want to hear directly from the people most affected.
Minnesota disability history lesson package
The struggle for disability rights in Minnesota is part of the broader civil rights movement in the United States, which strives for equality, justice and inclusion. Civil rights are the legal protections and freedoms people have within a society. Learning about civil rights history can help us understand and address unfairness and make communities more inclusive and welcoming. Read more.
The lesson has four main learning objectives:
- To define civil rights and explain why they matter to all people
- To describe the history of disability rights in Minnesota and connect it to broader civil rights movements
- To recognize ongoing challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities today
- To identify at least one concrete action each of us can take to support full equality for people with disabilities.
New survey and September public forums announced
The Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board (NHWSB) is completing its standards review and seeking feedback through a new online survey. The NHWSB is also taking testimony at three public forums about the current standards and whether they adequately protect the health and welfare of nursing home workers. Participants will include nursing home workers, employers, and worker and employer organizations.
Provide feedback at a public forum. Sign up for a public forum.
- Monday, Sept. 14, 2026, in Rochester;
- Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in Brainerd; and
- Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in St. Paul, online and in person.
Or Take the NHWSB online survey.
Open for public comment
Comment on EIDBI licensing standards due Aug. 31
DHS is seeking public comments on draft comprehensive licensing standards for Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) providers serving people under age 21 with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.
When finalized, these standards will establish the requirements provider agencies must meet to become and remain licensed. They will help protect the health, rights and safety of children served by EIDBI programs and set minimum care and recordkeeping requirements. Read more.
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Comments on disability waiver plan amendments due Sept. 4
DHS is collecting public comments on amendments to the Brain Injury (BI), Community Alternative Care (CAC), Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) and Developmental Disabilities (DD) waiver plans before submitting them to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more.
Reminders for reviewing materials:
- Proposed additions to the waiver plans are underlined.
- Proposed deletions to the waiver plans are crossed out.
- Any comments you submit will be made available to the public, as required under state law. Please do not share any private information, such as a name, in your comments.
- Amendment proposals are typically long documents, but you can search for keywords that interest you.
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