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Autism advocates urge DHS oversight, training and background checks as budget debate looms
Summary
Members of the autism community told the Senate Human Services Committee that proposed budget and policy changes fall short on oversight and training. They urged the Department of Human Services to implement checklists, background studies for “responsible parties,” and stronger enforcement of EIDBI rules.
Autism advocates and parents told the Minnesota Senate Human Services Committee they are disappointed with the governor’s proposals and urged the Department of Human Services (DHS) to take immediate steps on oversight and training rather than defer action.
Bridal Abdul, who identified herself as a Somali autism mother and community advocate, said she was “disappointed by the governor's policy and budget proposals for autism” and told the committee DHS has “failed again the autism community.” She urged DHS to use existing regulatory authority to train families and agencies on EIDBI (Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Interventions) rules, to require and enforce background checks, and to produce a family-facing checklist to reduce confusion about provider obligations.
Abdul also raised concerns about DHS’s new CFSS (consumer-directed community support) program implementation and the role of “responsible parties.” She said that the current rollout “has no oversight, no clear language for families” and warned that giving access to sensitive information to a person without a background study creates risks.
Anissa Haji Mohammed, who identified herself as a board chair of an autism advocacy organization and a mother of three autistic children who use waiver services, urged the committee to “reconsider the proposed $1,200,000,000 in cuts to disability services proposed by the governor.” Mohammed said, “For families like mine, waivers are not a luxury, they are a lifeline.”
Wade Stivey provided a family perspective on the DD waiver, describing his son Trent’s needs and how consumer-directed supports and respiratory care staff changed family life. “Please don't cut the DD waiver program,” he told the committee, describing the day-to-day supports that the waiver paid for and the respite it provided his family.
Ending: Advocates recommended immediate DHS action on training, enforcement of background studies, and clearer program language while urging legislators to protect waiver funding. The committee acknowledged the testimony and signaled further conversation as budget deliberations proceed.
