HF 1739

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/19/2015 03:54pm

A bill for an act
relating to human services; establishing a grant program to provide in-home
and community services for older adults with vision loss; appropriating money;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256C.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256C.07] IN-HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR OLDER
ADULTS WITH VISION LOSS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of human services shall establish
a program to provide grant funds for in-home and community services for older adults
with vision loss to allow older adults with vision loss to live independently and age in
place. Grant funds shall be distributed to community benefit organizations and nonprofit
organizations using a request for proposals process.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Organizations eligible for grant funds. new text end

new text begin A community benefit
organization or nonprofit organization seeking grant funds must submit an application to
the commissioner according to the terms of the request for proposals. To be eligible for
grant funds, a community benefit organization or nonprofit organization must:
new text end

new text begin (1) have a demonstrated history of providing in-home and community services
to older adults with vision loss;
new text end

new text begin (2) have knowledge of the issues and challenges facing older adults living with
vision loss;
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new text begin (3) have the capacity to provide services to older adults in their homes; and
new text end

new text begin (4) currently provide the following services:
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new text begin (i) referrals to complementary, community-based services to support independence;
new text end

new text begin (ii) low vision-specific and blind-specific instruction and techniques to enhance
independence;
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new text begin (iii) opportunities for blind and visually impaired older adults to reduce isolation and
depression by accessing emotional support and participating in activities; and
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new text begin (iv) training and education to direct service providers serving the target population
described in subdivision 3.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Target population for services. new text end

new text begin Persons to be served under this section
are blind or visually impaired adults age 65 or older who:
new text end

new text begin (1) live in their own homes, senior living settings, or nursing homes;
new text end

new text begin (2) need training, emotional support, or access to services to help them maintain
independence or reduce depression and isolation;
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new text begin (3) require services from providers with the training and experience to serve visually
impaired adults; and
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new text begin (4) cannot be served effectively by other programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Services provided using grant funds. new text end

new text begin An organization receiving a
grant shall use the grant funds to provide some or all of the following services to older
adults with vision loss:
new text end

new text begin (1) an in-home needs assessment to determine the services the older adult needs to
safely remain in the home and to make referrals to other service organizations as needed;
new text end

new text begin (2) an assessment of magnification to determine the magnification needed to help the
older adult remain independent;
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new text begin (3) an assessment of independent living skills, including the use of technology,
to determine the living skills the older adult needs to develop to remain independent
or regain independence;
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new text begin (4) one-on-one training in the use of magnification devices or other adaptive
technologies;
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new text begin (5) one-on-one training in adaptive life skills to support independent living;
new text end

new text begin (6) one-on-one mobility training to allow safe navigation of the older adult's
environment;
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new text begin (7) one-on-one peer support to break down barriers of isolation caused by vision loss;
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new text begin (8) in-home and in-clinic classes to teach skills to adjust to vision loss; and
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new text begin (9) emotional support that addresses the specific issues surrounding vision loss.
Emotional support may include peer support, facilitated support groups, and individual
counseling related to vision loss.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; IN-HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR
OLDER ADULTS WITH VISION LOSS.
new text end

new text begin $350,000 in fiscal year 2016 and $450,000 in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated
from the general fund to the commissioner of human services for a program to provide
in-home and community services for older adults with vision loss under Minnesota
Statutes, section 256C.07.
new text end