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Summer is a time to make memories and enjoy all Minnesota has to offer. MRCI-CDS is giving away tickets to The Minnesota State Fair and the Renaissance Festival. We have 100 tickets for each event that will be given away in sets of 4. Please note, The Renaissance Festival includes 2 adults and 2 children (ages 5-12yrs.) and runs on weekends from August 19th through October 1st. The State Fair includes 4 tickets and runs from August 24th through September 4th.
One entry per household, please. Additional entries will not be considered.
Reminders about hospitalization
Because paper timesheet are becoming obsolete, please make sure to let program staff know if there has been a hospitalization. This will help prevent disruption in payment to staff.
Discontinuation of Floating holidays, adding New Holidays:
The 2023 legislature passed a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) under the direction of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota for the programs of Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), Consumer Support Grant (CSG) and PCA Choice. With the passing of the new CBA, brings changes MRCI wants you to be aware of.
 
As of July 1, 2023, workers under these programs will no longer have the two (2) floating holidays to use, in replacement of those floating holidays is the addition of July 4th, Veterans Day on November 11th in 2023 and Juneteenth in 2024. MRCI was able to confirm this with the Member Action Center (mac@seiuhcmn.org) with SEIU. MRCI encourages those in the programs of CDCS and CSG to have a conversation with their case manager regarding the budget for these additional holidays.
 
Please also note, these three (3) holidays under the CBA are in addition to the current holidays of New Years Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Labor day and Thanksgiving Day for a total of eight (8) holidays annually. For further questions on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, please contact the Member Action Center.
DHS has announced a temporary extension of the COVID-19 modification that allows family to continue providing PCA services
Parents, stepparents and legal guardians of minors, as well as spouses, can continue to serve as a PCA worker for their family member until Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. On Friday, May 5, 2023, the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) let DHS know of a policy change allowing the agency to apply for a six-month extension of this temporary allowance created during the COVID-19 federal public health emergency.

MRCI understands this change is confusing and may cause a number of questions, we are asking you to please contact your program specialist with how this announcement impacts you. MRCI is here to help answer your questions and get you enrolled in the right programs.
MRCI offices will be closed on Tuesday July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Due to this closure, the payroll deadline as indicated on the payroll calendar is Monday July 3rd. All timesheets and Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) time records must be approved and submitted to MRCI by midnight on the 3rd.
June is pride month! We advocate for inclusivity now, and every day of the year. 
“It's an opportunity to both look back but to look ahead to make sure that that notion of freedom and the fragility of it is always protected and celebrated.”
—Lonnie Bunch

From all of us here at MRCI, Happy Juneteenth!
PTO Balances over 80 hours will be reset following the pay period of 7/1/2023 per the collective bargaining agreement, an employee “may carry over up to 80 hours of PTO from one State fiscal year to the next”.
 
The State fiscal year ends June 30 meaning any PTO hours over the 80 hour cap will be lost. All PTO requests must be submitted with the pay period ending 7/1/2023.  
 
Please Note: PTO benefits are for workers under the Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS), Consumer Support Grant (CSG) and PCA Choice programs.
What social media platform is your favorite?
Facebook
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Social media? No thanks!
Last month we asked which cuisine is your favorite, and the results are in... Buffet took the lead with 39.2%! Next was Italian at 29.2%, then Mexican with 22.3%, and last but not least was American with 9.2%. Stay tuned for the results of the social media survey next month!
HCBS direct care workers and traditional PCA workers may apply for grant initiatives, including a retention bonus and PCA training stipend. The two initiatives are part of the Legislature-created HCBS grant developed to help attract new direct care workers and keep current employees who provide HCBS services to people with disabilities and older adults. 

Click the box below for more information and application instructions.
EVV Quarterly Updates
The DHS EVV team will host quarterly sessions for people affected by EVV to provide clarification on roles/responsibilities, updates and next steps. The next session is scheduled for June 26th, 2023.



Self Direction Connection Conference
Minnesota’s first Self-Direction Conference, Connecting People; Growing Together, will take place on Friday October 27, 2023 at the Mayo Health System Event Center in Mankato, MN from 8am to 3pm.

This conference is geared towards individuals, families, Case Managers and advocates all interested in or who want to learn more on Self-Direction.

MRCI-CDS is proud to be a Connect Level Sponsor for this event. For more information please visit this website or contact MRCI staff Julie Lux or Kyle Rueter at 800-829-7110.
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Every Wednesday, we share photos sent to us by clients and families that define what self-direction means to them. You'll also find important updates, helpful articles, announcements, and more.

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2023 Training Schedule
Each year MRCI is required to assign training to all workers under the 245D programs of Individualized Home Supports (IHS) formerly known as Personal Supports, Respite, and now Homemaker. Below is the calendar of when the training will be assigned. 

Training is assigned in the beginning of the month and is due by the last day of the month. If your worker does not complete the training they will be temporarily suspended and not able to clock in or out through the app, or be paid for the time worked until complete.

If you have questions regarding the completion of the training you can connect with our program staff at 800-829-7110.
Month:
Subjects:
June
HIPAA/Data Privacy, First Aid
August
Client Rights
September
Positive Supports Rule
October
CSSP-A Review, Person-Centered Planning
Once per year
CSSP-A/IAPP Annual Review
Homemaker Only
Annually, in June
8 Hour CORE
Homemaker Staff Under the 245D Programs: MRCI now is including the Positive Support Rule training annually. The training has been assigned, please log in and complete by the end of November. 
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MRCI is creating innovative and genuine opportunities for people with disabilities or disadvantages at home, at work and in the community.
1961 Premier Drive, Suite 318
Mankato, MN 56001
 (800) 829-7110