The 5 % Campaign. Committing to Life in the Community for People with Disabilities and Older Adults

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1 The 5 % Campaign Committing to Life in the Community for People with Disabilities and Older Adults T HE 5% CAMPA IGN I S COMMIT T ED TO M A K I N G LIFE I N T HE COMMUNITY T HE FIRST A N D BEST OPT I ON FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A N D OLDER M I N N ESOTANS, A S WELL A S FA M I LIES, WORKERS A N D OUR STAT E. A DEC A DE OF DEEP C UTS AND STAGNATION HAS PRODUCED S I GNIFICANT C HALLEN GES - - A 5 % RAT E I N C R EA SE TO COMMUNITY - BA S ED S ERVICES I S C R I T I C AL TO M OVE MINNESOTA BAC K ON TRACK. LU T H E R A N S E RV I C E S I N A M E R I C A D I S A B I L I T Y N E T WO R K A U G U S T, S U S I E S C H AT Z, LU T H E R A N S O C I A L S E RV I C E O F M I N N E S OTA

2 Overview of key topics What happened in 2013? The 5% Campaign convened in June 2013 immediately after session. How was it organized for success? What happened in 2014?

3 The Minnesota Legislature What to know about the Minnesota legislature in 2014 Operates on a 2 year biennium Election session began with newly elected House and Senate members Democratic Farm Labor (DFL) majority House, Senate and Governor s office First year Budget year - odd year typically January May Determines spending for Second year Bonding year even year 2014 typically February May Historically focused on bonding/infrastructure 2014 Budget surplus of $1.2B Supplemental spending bill proposed kitchen sink

4 The 5% Campaign is born Disability providers and advocates gathered to reflect on what happened in Determined that a rate increase in 2014 could be possible if a campaign developed to focus solely on an increase. Over the following weeks, the campaign was formed, older adults were brought to the table, committees formed, chairs identified, overall goals and strategies established.

5 The Ask A 5% rate increase for all Home and Community Based Services. 75% encumbered to wages and benefits Key budget number for 5% Coalition proposal: FY 2015: $86.3 M FY : $172 M

6 What services are impacted by the proposed 5% increase? 1. ICF/DD Services 2. DT&H Services for ICF/DD Residents 3. DD Waiver All Home & Community-Based Services 4. CADI Waiver All Home & Community-Based Services 5. BI Waiver All Home & Community-Based Services 6. CAC Waiver All Home & Community-Based Services 7. EW Waiver All Home & Community-Based Services (Fee for Service & Managed Care) 8. Personal Care Assistant Services 9. Private Duty Nursing Services 10. Community Choice I Waivered Services 11. Community Choice K Waivered Services 12. DT&H Services funded by non-state sources 13. Alternative Care Services (seniors) 14. Semi-Independent Living Services 15. Consumer Support Grants 16. Family Support Grants, 17. Housing Access Grants 18. Self-Advocacy Grants 19. Technology Grants

7 100+ service organizations joined the coalition - Examples Aging services, ARC, ARRM, AXIS HC Catholic Charities, DACs, Habilitation providers Meals on Wheels, REM, RISE, WEACOSA Employment Enterprises, Phoenix Alternatives MOHR, Opp Partners, Home Care Association Cedar Valley Services, LSS, CHOICE INC, CCD Metro Work Center, Main Street Industries The Phoenix Residence, Winona ORC Mental Health Providers Association, CareProviders

8 Campaign Committee structure Steering Committee: Committee chairs and other key leaders from the disability and older adults community. Lobby Committee: Lobbyists and those with policy expertise. Communications Committee: Communications professionals from organizations around the state, crossover with the lobby committee. Field Committee: Grassroots advocates, many members of the disability and aging communities. Organizations made commitments of staff time and financial contributions. Leadership of committees split between older adults and disability area.

9 First steps Each committee met several times a month to refine messaging, tactics and direct resources. Very intentional planning about mapping and strategy Where does the coalition focus energy? Leadership of the House and Senate Some members in vulnerable seats in next election Some who are sympathetic to disability issues and on HHS Some who are thought leaders in caucus Arrive at Hi/Low priority by caucus and House/Senate Identify Key Administration targets Establish a timeline

10 Timeline June 2013 Group gathering of disability advocates to strategize for 2014; campaign structure established; older adults invited to join July Meetings of campaign committees begin with frequency August 2013 Kick-Off press conference with legislative champions September January 2014 Grassroots activity, Town Hall Forums statewide and meetings with legislators at homes, letters to the editor, media opportunities, commitments requested from bill authors. Rally at the Capitol to call for a 5% rate increase. November 2013 November Forecast reports $1.1B surplus prepared with two press releases for both good news and bad. February 2014 Session begins with broad bipartisan support, Governor proposes 4% increase in his budget, coauthors added, hearing and testimony begins. February May Tuesdays at the Capitol, organizations days at the Capitol, hearings, media events. March Rally at the Capitol, hearings continue. March 2014 May 2014 Negotiations and inside baseball, bill passes with 5% increase included, session adjourns on May 16, June 20, 2014 Governor Dayton signs the supplemental budget, including a 5% rate increase for HCBS.

11 Steering Committee Membership: Committee chairs of Communications, Lobby and Field teams. Other key leaders in disability and older adults areas. Leadership split between chair from older adults and people with disabilities areas. Chairs of Steering Committee acted as the representative of the Campaign in testimony, media appearances, rallies, etc. Provided overall strategy for Campaign and approval of materials. Approval process utilized more in early stages of campaign, transitioned to Lobby committee during the legislative session. the

12 Communications Efforts Membership: Communications & marketing professionals, advocates, data experts Materials development: Talking points - agreeing on talking points and data early provided a basic outline for the Campaign language. Used the talking points in sample letters, social media, website, infographic, press releases, letters to the editor, testimony and more. Multimedia video, audio (accessible) Social Media legislators could participate Public communications Editorial boards

13 Lobbying efforts Membership: Organizational and contract lobbyists, policy experts Sought champions/bill authors Drafted language Determined the legislative priority list Collected bill signatures Provided mid-session strategy

14 Governor s Administration members identified by the coalition: ADMINISTRATION HHS Rural Leg Leadership or led Vulnerable Lobbying District Party First Name Last Name Title (Y/N) (Y/N) on HHS issues (Y/N) (Y/N) Target Level N/A DFL Mark Dayton Governor Y H N/A DFL Yvonne Prettner Solon Lieutenant Governor Y H N/A N/A Lauren Gilchrist Governor HHS Advisor Y H N/A N/A Tina Smith Governor COS Y H N/A N/A Cindy Jesson DHS Commisioner Y H N/A N/A Loren Colman Assistant Commisioner Y H N/A N/A Alex Bartolic DHS DSD Director Y H N/A N/A Jim Schowalter MMB Commisioner Y H N/A DFL Katherine Tenucci Campaign Manager H

15 Field Efforts Membership: Policy & advocacy associates, Grasstops advocates 15 Region statewide structure Activities: Sending legislators Access Press article, Tuesdays at the Capitol, asking for coauthors, site visits, office meetings, local media, press conferences, event encounters, call-ins, town hall forums, family petitions, postcards, social media, list building, story telling, petition built a quick contact list. Tracking legislative contacts and visits is important, monitoring feedback and coordinated effort is critical.

16 Grassroots advocates key to success: Meeting legislators at homes The Ask of legislators at site visits: 1. Ask them to be a co-sponsor of the 5% rate increase bill. 2. Ask them to announce their support on their Facebook page, on Twitter and in any subsequent media releases. 3. Ask them to share their support with their fellow legislators and leadership. Let them know it is a priority and that we need them to help support this effort Depending on their support each visit has follow up next steps.

17 The Swings of Session Governor proposed 4% in his budget proposal counted the 1% in 2013 as part of the increase. Some legislators counted the repeal of the 1.67% proposed cut as an increase. Encumbrance to wages and benefits 75% vs. 80% Minimum wage increase some legislators insisted the minimum wage increase would cover an increase for these workers. Minimum wage discussion was more partisan. Often used by the minority party to hold leadership accountable. Only legislative proposal with such extensive bipartisan support. Frequent media attention, helpful for the campaign, but not always accurate.

18 Success! Celebrate! Of 201 legislators, 42 Senators and 84 Representatives signed on as coauthors. 5% rate increase with 80% encumbrance passed! A significant increase for many providers. Celebration for advocates honored legislative champions, grassroots advocates, Governor Dayton Multiple recognitions by media and nonprofits

19 Reflection: Some Keys to Success Focus on people with disabilities and older adults and life in community Prioritizing of one goal allowed a broad range of groups to stick together Commitments from organizations to prioritize The 5% Campaign Commitment from legislative coauthors before session even began Scenario planning e.g. Responses to November and February forecast Sticking to our numbers, not negotiating about the ask Correct the incorrect media statements: i.e. rate increase, not a wage increase Utilize communications experts from organizations made it easy for others to access resources Division of state into regions, kept leads accountable, sought out relationships in other districts Cross committee liaisons and Steering Committee consistency Stars aligned Budget surplus, Election year, fewer priorities, politically aligned majority legislature

20 What s next in 2015 and beyond? Built a strong coalition infrastructure and demonstrated success Laid the groundwork, demonstrated need, told the story Onward! Back in 2015 with another request for 5% rate increase.

21 Susie Schatz, MSW LGSW Director of Advocacy and Volunteer Services Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota direct cell Facebook.com/5PercentCampaign