Advocate

Use your voice

*We Need Your Help*

Due January 17, 2025 -

Achieve Supporters,

As you may have heard, the U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new rule that would eliminate 14c employment opportunities, which would result in many Achievers no longer having access to employment.  The proposed rule is currently open for public comment, and we are asking that you submit your comments in support of 14c.  Your comments can be short and simple. Here’s an example:

U.S. Dept. of Labor,

I am writing in opposition to your proposed rule to eliminate 14c employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  I am personally familiar with the benefits that 14c provides, and am concerned that your proposal would eliminate an important employment option, and in many cases the only employment option, for people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Therefore,  I strongly oppose the proposed rule.

 Sincerely,

Your Name


Your voice absolutely makes a difference, so please weigh in on this important issue.  Comments must be received by January 17th, and here’s a link for submitting your comments:

Click to go to webpage to submit comment

Click to Comment

On behalf of those we are privileged to serve, THANK YOU for taking action to preserve their jobs!

Helpful Materials:

 

 

Helpful Links:

The Challenge:

Achieve Services continues to face legislative actions that threaten the services we provide and could be harmful to our participants’ well-being. Specifically, we consistently fight for higher reimbursement rates so we can pay our staff livable wages. And, we are battling to keep special minimum wage jobs for participants. You are able to make a difference by actively contacting your elected officials to share your story and advocate for the people with disabilities in your life.

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How can you help?

  • 1

    Join A-Team MN and the Best Life Alliance

    This is the best way to stay up to date about legislative agendas and calls to action.

  • 2

    Contact your legislator

    Visit the Minnesota District Search and enter your address and zip code to find out which representatives serve your district.

  • 3

    Contact the Department of Human Services

    This agency is responsible for many of the policies that affect programs for people with disabilities. You can contact them by visiting their official website or sending an e-mail to [email protected].

  • 4

    Follow us and share our posts on Facebook

    We will post urgent action alerts on our Facebook page for you to take action and share these action items with people in your network. The more people who take action, the more likely we are to make a difference!

Issues that directly impact us:

  • 1

    Competitive Wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and the Disability Waiver Rate System (DWRS)

    The DWRS also sets the wages and benefits we are able to offer the DSPs who provide care for participants while they are at Achieve. Increasing the DWRS rates ensure that we are able to remain fully staffed with qualified people and able to pay our DSPs a decent wage for the important work they do. 

    What you can say: "Help address our workforce crisis by increasing the DWRS rates!"

  • 2

    Threats to Center-Based Employment

    Employment enables our participants to develop skills, make friends, increase their income, and improve their quality of life. Some participants cannot, or choose not to, engage in competitive, integrated employment. Participants with higher needs often choose to work in a safe, supportive environment at Achieve. We want to preserve participants’ choice to do center-based work, with wages based on productivity. 

    What you can say: "Do not eliminate the opportunity to engage in special minimum wage work!"

Parents Meeting Materials 5/8/2024