Experience Navigating Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) in Minnesota

Opportunity

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Minnesota Legislature have long invested in equitable, high-quality, person-centered home and community-based services (HCBS) for people with disabilities and older adults. To build on past efforts, DHS sought a contractor to synthesize recent studies, highlight key findings, and collaborate with diverse community members to analyze results. The aim is to develop practical, evidence-informed recommendations that can be actualized to promote a seamless, accessible system, especially for historically marginalized populations and those at the intersections of multiple identities.

Approach

HSRI is taking a community-centered approach to meet the project’s objectives. Our plans outline study questions vetted by community advisors and detail a community engagement strategy. Guided by this plan, we will conduct and document a systematic scan of several previously completed studies on HCBS access in Minnesota.

We will then engage a broad range of decision-makers and community members, including people with lived experience, traditionally underserved populations, and providers, in a participatory analysis of the scan’s findings. This collaboration will inform a set of recommendations. Using community input, we will consider the potential benefits and any unintended consequences of the recommendations and seek additional community feedback to refine the recommendations.

Finally, we will produce a comprehensive final report for the state legislature and deliver presentations on the project’s results, ensuring that the findings are accessible and actionable.

Impact

This project aims to ensure that every person in Minnesota, regardless of their background or identity, experiences a seamless, person-centered journey when accessing HCBS. Our recommendations will aim to pave the way for equitable, high-quality support that honors individual needs and promotes a sense of empowerment, contributing to a healthier, more inclusive Minnesota for everyone.