Advocate

Advocate

Grassroots Advocacy Task Force

HCO’s Grassroots Advocacy Task Force is made up of a dedicated group of self-advocates, family, supporters, and staff. We are committed to advocating for disability services within the state legislature, and work as a coalition with other advocates across Minnesota.

As a 501(c)3 non-profit Home and Community Options facilitates nonpartisan engagement.

If you’d like to get involved with HCO’s Grassroots efforts or need more information, please contact:

Suzanne Horstman, Executive Director
66 East Third Street
Winona, MN 55987
suzanneh@hco.org | (507) 452-1021

Grassroots-logo – Home & Community Options

Resources

Who Represents Me?

If you want to ask questions, give feedback, or discuss the specifics of bills that are important to you, but you are uncertain who represents you click the button below!

Voting

To register to vote, request an absentee ballot, or determine your polling location, click the button below!

Partner Sites

Looking for more information about the effects of legislation on disability services? Click any of the links below to visit one of our partner sites.

ARRM | ARC MN | ANCOR

Blog

2306, 2023

2023 Legislative Session Wrap Up

June 23rd, 2023|

Home and Community Options, Inc. and agencies throughout MN providing services to individuals with disabilities took a step in the right direction this legislative session. Minnesota Legislators ended a busy legislative session, and now it is time for Home [...]

2104, 2023

HCO Continues Long Running Advocacy Efforts

April 21st, 2023|

How does a bill become a law? It’s probably not something you have thought about since that long-ago social studies class you took, but this is one of the many things that Home and Community Options’ (HCO) Grassroots [...]

1507, 2022

Policymakers Fall Short

July 15th, 2022|

This year, Minnesota policymakers had the opportunity to use a historic projected surplus of $9.25 billion dollars to address real challenges that face Minnesotans and build stronger communities for all citizens, including those with developmental disabilities.  Many in [...]

2308, 2021

Is “Waiver Reimagine” Missing its Mark?

August 23rd, 2021|

Waiver Reimagine, an attempt by the State of Minnesota to streamline services for individuals with Developmental Disabilities, may be missing its mark. Waiver Reimagine was designed to simplify a confusing, 12 waiver* system into one that was easier for individuals [...]

2004, 2021

Technology and Informed Choice: Keith

April 20th, 2021|

Keith McConville, who lives in an HCO house in Winona, MN, recently testified remotely in front of the Senate Committee on Human Services Reform Finance and Policy. At issue before the committee was a bill, SF 1092, that would put [...]

Share Your Story

“My husband and I have been married for 19 years. We have utilized the services of Home & Community Options for 3 of our children over the past 11 years. Respite provides a moment for parents to catch their breath. Raising Special Needs children is like being in a war zone. At one point, I was prepared to divorce my husband because I didn’t want him to have to endure this life. Above caring for our kids, HCO provides suggestions, resources, emotional support, and encouragement to the families. I fear we would no longer be together if we didn’t have the ongoing support for our children.

The consistency of staff is crucial to the success of my children. The adjustment period where trust and boundaries are established lasts between 4-8 weeks when a new staff begins. During this time, no new skills are being learned and there is often regression. I feel that this position used to be sought after, but it is now viewed as a low paying job that can be extremely difficult and has a lot of expectations. Currently, 2 of my children are not able to receive coverage that Winona County determined was appropriate. There aren’t enough applicants to meet the demand of those needing support.”

Kristin Luhmann, on the impact of staff turnover and need of consistent support