ST. PAUL – State Rep. Chris Swedzinski, R-Ghent, said he is pleased the Minnesota Legislature approved a bill Wednesday providing relief for organizations that provide day services for adults with permanent disabilities.
Specifically, the bill (H.F. 1) provides approximately $30 million in grants to help these organizations mitigate damages suffered due to COVID-19 restrictions. It appropriates $20 million for retention grants to home- and community-based providers to help them pay employees and maintain safety standards. It also provides $10 million for public health grants to help providers with the resources necessary to re-open safely with proper social distancing in place.
“These community-based programs really do fill a need to help support those in local communities who have disabilities,” Swedzinski said. “These dollars will really go a long way to help support them so, at the end of the COVID issue we are having right now, these programs will still exist for people who need them.”
The bill has been sent to Gov. Tim Walz for enactment. Upon his anticipated signature, there is a Sept. 15 application deadline for retention grants and public health grants will be available through 2020. Call the Minnesota Department of Human Services for more at 651-431-2000.
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