Mr Mons goes to the Minnesota Senate

... but only to testify.  I was asked to tell "our story" to the Senate committee that is holding hearings on our Governor's proposed budget reductions for the next two fiscal years.


Here's the testimony I gave ... with a time limit of 3 minutes, I had to be concise.  


If you live in Minnesota and disagree with the Governor's recommendations, please contact your state representative and senator.  (Let me know if you need help in identifying them!)



Madam Chair and members of the Committee


My name is Rick Mons and we live in Shoreview, Minnesota. I am speaking as a parent and guardian for our son, Alec.  


Alec is a 24 year old man with Down Syndrome.  He lives at home and the only publicly funded social service he receives is through a non-profit provider named Merrick.  These services are paid through Ramsey County using Children's and Community Services Act funds.


Merrick’s services help Alec work in the private sector -- he's currently working in a small mortgage company, digitizing documents.  He enjoys his work and takes tremendous  pride in being employed – employed just like his parents and employed like everyone else he knows.


The Governor's decision to cut CCSA funds causes a reduction in revenues at Ramsey County.  As a result, Ramsey County has told us that Alec’s services at Merrick will be reduced.  

• He will be able to work only 3 days a week or 3 weeks a month;
• He will likely not be able to retain his current job.  The employer needs staffing 5 days a week and  cannot grant one week off per month;
• Merrick has told us that Alec’s limited availability will also make him a less attractive candidate for other jobs in the community 

Moreover, Alec cannot be by himself for extended periods of time.  Thus, his mother or I will reduce our income so we can stay home with him.


There is an ironic twist to this:  when Alec turned 18 we could have asked that he be made a ward of the State.  The costs to the State would have been much higher.   In addition to Merrick’s services, the State would need to provide residential care and staff supervision when he’s not at Merrick.  Moreover, Medical Assistance would be his primary health insurer rather than our family policy.  


And here’s the real twist: Alec would receive full services at Merrick if he were not living at home.  Ramsey County’s decision to reduce funding only affects the Developmentally Disabled who live at home.  Those who live in group homes or other facilities receive Day Training services through other funding sources that have not been cut.


Reducing these funds actually gives us a bizarre incentive to revoke guardianship:  

• Alec would then have full services at Merrick, 
• we’d then not lose income by taking time off and 
• we’d then reduce our costs for health insurance.  

But it would be at Alec’s expense and the expense of our concept of family.


Minnesota has been a leader in deinstutionalization and providing community based services.  


This reduction reverses that direction.  It is simply bad public policy.  And, in our family’s case it is perverse public policy.