Association Of Residential Resources In Minnesota

Educationarrm significantly expanded its educational offerings in 2024, setting new records for participation and impact. We hosted 17 events throughout the year, an increase from previous yearsresulting in a 15% boost in attendance and nearly 1,700 total registrations. Our flagship events, the annual conference and the business and finance forum, drew nearly 900 attendees and exhibitors to the mystic lake center in prior lake for two days of high-quality learning and networking. Monthly calls with the minnesota department of human services and the minnesota department of health helped ensure members stayed current on regulatory updates. Arrm also hosted four leadership institute workshops aimed at cultivating the next generation of leaders in the disability services field. Our "diving deep on dwrs" workshops provided targeted education on the disability waiver rate system. The year concluded with the winter business and finance forum, offering critical updates on financial and operational trends, legislative changes, state statutes, and emerging technologies to key decision-makers.

Advocacy & policyarrm was deeply engaged in legislative advocacy throughout 2024. Staff met with nearly every member of the house and senate human services committees and delivered testimony 21 times across five separate house and senate committees. In addition, arrm members provided testimony 15 times in support of key legislative efforts. Notable advocacy accomplishments included advancing changes to the qualifications for designated coordinators and designated managers under 245d, eliminating age-based restrictions on staff administering medications, and establishing a 30-business-day timeline for lead agencies to respond to requests for assistive or remote technology services. A major legislative win in 2024 was securing a law that prohibits cities from requiring rental licenses for community residential settings and assisted living facilities that serve six or fewer individuals. In march, arrm's advocacy culminated in its day at the capitol event, engaging over 1,200 participants and coordinating more than 100 meetings with nearly 140 state legislators.