Minnesota

May 29, 2026

Abolanle Oluwole, Authorized Agent

Lighten Up Services, LLC

12750 Midway Street, Northeast

Blaine, Minnesota 55449

License Number: 1108678 (245D – Home and Community-Based Services)

CORRECTION ORDER

Dear Abolanle Oluwole:

On May 4, 2026, a licensing review of Lighten Up Services, LLC, located at 12750 Midway Street, Northeast, Blaine, Minnesota, was conducted to determine compliance with state and federal laws and rules governing the provision of home and community-based services to persons with disabilities and age 65 and older under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245D. As a result of this licensing review a Correction Order is being issued.

A. Reason for Correction Order

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.06, if the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) finds that the license holder has failed to comply with an applicable law or rule and this failure does not imminently endanger the health, safety, or rights of the persons served by the program, the Commissioner may issue a Correction Order to the license holder.

The following violation(s) of state or federal laws and rules were determined as a result of the licensing review. Corrective action for each violation is required by Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.06 and is hereby ordered by the Commissioner of Human Services.

1. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.65, subdivision 2, paragraph (b).

Violation: For two of two persons whose records were reviewed (P1 and P2), the license holder did not meet the requirements for an individual abuse prevention plan (IAPP).

Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.02, subdivision 2b defines “annual” or “annually” to mean prior to or within the same month of the subsequent calendar year.

a. The license holder initiated 24-hour emergency assistance services to P1 on September 21, 2023. The license holder did not develop an IAPP for P1 prior to or upon service initiation of 24-hour emergency assistance services. The license holder developed P2’s IAPP on July 22, 2024.

b. The license holder did not review P2’s IAPP with P2 and P2’s interdisciplinary team annually in 2025. The license holder last reviewed P2’s IAPP with P2 and P2’s interdisciplinary team on May 29, 2024.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must:

· review and revise P2’s IAPP with P2 and P2’s interdisciplinary team; and

· maintain documentation of this review in P2’s service recipient record.

On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

2. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.04, subdivision 1.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P1), the license holder did not provide P1 with the service recipient rights as required.

The license holder did not provide P1 with a written notice that identified the service recipient rights and an explanation of those rights within five working days of service initiation of 24-hour emergency assistance. The license holder provided a written notice that identified the service recipient rights and an explanation of those rights on July 22, 2024.

Corrective Action Ordered: On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

3. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.07, subdivision 1a.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P2), the license holder did not provide services in response to the person’s identified needs and preferences as specified in the support plan and support plan addendum as required.

The license holder’s support plan addendum for P2 did not meet the requirements of person centered planning and delivery as demonstrated by the following:

· the license holder developed P2’s support plan addendum, which included information that the license holder provided P2 with a basic service, instead of the intensive service the license holder was assigned and authorized to provide; and

· the license holder referred to P2 by a different name and did not use P2’s preferred pronouns in P2’s support plan addendum, beginning in October 2023 to current.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must update P2’s support plan addendum to correct the above-mentioned areas. On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

4. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.07, subdivision 2.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P1), the license holder did not meet service planning requirements for basic support services as required.

The license holder did not complete a preliminary support plan for P1 within 15 calendar days of service initiation for 24-hour emergency assistance. The license holder completed a support plan for P1 on July 22, 2024.

Corrective Action Ordered: On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

5. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.071, subdivision 3.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P2), the license holder did not complete initial service planning for intensive support services as required.

a. The license holder did not include information that describes P2’s overall strengths, functional skills and abilities and behaviors and symptoms when completing assessments for P2. Additionally, the license holder did not conduct assessments at least annually for P2. The license holder last conducted P2’s assessments in October 2023.

b. The license holder did not hold an initial planning meeting with P2’s case manager to determine the following:

· the scope of the services to be provided to support P2's daily needs and activities;

· P2’s desired outcomes and the supports necessary to accomplish their desired outcomes;

· P2's preferences for how services and supports are provided, including how the provider will support them to have control of the person's schedule;

· whether the current service setting is the most integrated setting available and appropriate for P2;

· opportunities to develop and maintain essential and life-enriching skills, abilities, strengths, interests, and preferences;

· opportunities for community access, participation, and inclusion in preferred community activities;

· opportunities to develop and strengthen personal relationships with other persons of P2's choice in the community;

· how services must be coordinated across other providers licensed under this chapter serving P2 and members of the support team or expanded support team to ensure continuity of care and coordination of services for P2; and

· a discussion of how technology might be used to meet P2’s desired outcomes, including a statement regarding any decision that is made regarding the use of technology and a description of any further research that needs to be completed before a decision regarding the use of technology can be made.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must:

· meet with P2’s case manager to determine the requirements identified above;

· include a discussion of how technology might be used to meet P2's desired outcomes in this meeting;

· maintain a summary of the discussion regarding the use of technology that includes a statement regarding any decision that is made regarding the use of technology and a description of any further research that needs to be completed before a decision regarding the use of technology can be made in P2’s support plan addendum; and

· maintain documentation of the meeting and the determinations made at this meeting in P2’s support plan addendum.

On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

6. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.071, subdivision 4.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P2), the license holder did not develop service outcomes and supports as required.

The license holder did not develop a service plan for P2 that documented the following supports and methods to be implemented to support P2 and accomplish outcomes:

· the methods or actions that would be used to support the person and to accomplish the service outcomes, including information about:

o any changes or modifications to the physical and social environments necessary when the service supports were provided;

o any equipment or materials required; and

o techniques that were consistent whit the person’s communication mode and learning style; and

· the projected starting date for implementing the supports and methods and the date by which progress towards accomplishing the outcome would be reviewed and evaluated.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must:

· develop a service plan for P2 that documents the information detailed above;

· maintain this service plan in P2’s support plan addendum;

· train staff on the supports and methods for P2’s outcome; and

· begin implementing this service plan for P2.

On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

7. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.071, subdivision 5.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P2), the license holder did not meet the requirements for service plan review and evaluation as required.

a. The license holder did not meet with P2 and P2’s case manager to discuss how technology might be used to meet P2’s desired outcomes at least once per year. The license holder did not hold this discussion in 2025.

b. The license holder maintained documentation in P2’s support plan addendum, dated October 18, 2023, that the license holder would participate in progress review meetings on a semi-annual basis. The license holder did not participate in progress review meetings according to the stated timeline.

c. The license holder did not give P2’s case manager an opportunity to participate in the ongoing review and development of P2’s service plan and the methods used to support P2 and accomplish P2’s outcomes identified in subdivisions 3 and 4.

d. The license holder established outcomes for P2. The progress report dated May 21, 2025, did not accurately reflect the data collected by the license holder.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must:

· meet with P2 and P2’s interdisciplinary team to discuss how technology might be used to meet P2’s desire outcome and maintain documentation of the summary in P2’s service recipient record; and

· begin collecting data on P2’s identified outcome and maintain this documentation in P2’s service recipient record.

On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

8. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.095, subdivision 3.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P1), the license holder did not maintain service recipient records as required.

The license holder did not maintain progress or daily log notes recorded by the program for P1 as required in this subdivision.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must maintain progress of daily log notes for P1. On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

9. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.10, subdivision 4, paragraph (b).

Violation: For two persons whose records were reviewed (P1 and P2), the license holder did not provide copies of policies and procedures as required.

  

The license holder did not inform and provide copies of the following policies and procedures affecting a persons’ rights to P1 and P1’s case manager, P2, and P2’s case manager, within five days of service initiation:

· grievance policy and procedure;

· service suspension policy and procedure;

· service termination policy and procedure; and

· emergency use of manual restraint and procedure.

Additionally, the license holder did not inform and provide copies of the data privacy policy to P2 and P2’s case manager within five days of service initiation.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must inform and provide P1, P1’s case manager, P2, and P2’s case manager, with written copies of the policies and procedures detailed above. On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

10. Citation: Minnesota Rules, part 9544.0030, subpart 1.

Violation: For two persons whose records were reviewed (P1 and P2), the license holder did not evaluate positive support strategies as required.

The license holder did not review and evaluate the identified positive support strategies with P1 and P2 at least every six months.

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must:

· review and evaluate the identified positive support strategies with P1 and P2; and

· based upon the results of the evaluation determine whether changes are needed in the positive support strategies used, and if so, make appropriate changes.

On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

11. Citation: Minnesota Rules, 9544.0080, subpart 1.

Violation: For one person whose record was reviewed (P1), the license holder did not provide notice of the license holder’s policy on the use of manual restraints as required.

The license holder did not obtain a written acknowledgement from P1 indicating that they had been notified of the license holder’s emergency use of manual restraints policy and their rights under this chapter and Minnesota Statutes, sect 245D.04 at the time of service initiation of 24-hour emergency assistance. This was completed on July 22, 2024.

Corrective Action Ordered: On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subpart.

12. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.09, subdivision 4.

Violation: For two of four staff persons whose records were reviewed (SP1 and SP2), the license holder did not provide and ensure completion of orientation training as required.

a. SP1 was hired on July 13, 2023. The license holder did not ensure SP1 received training on the following topics within 60 calendar days of hire:

· the principles of person-centered service planning and delivery as identified in section 245D.07, subdivision 1a, and how they apply to direct support service provided by the staff person. This training was provided on March 1, 2024;

· staff responsibilities related to prohibited procedures under section 245D.06, subdivision 5. This training was provided on March 1, 2024;

o why such procedures are not effective for reducing or eliminating symptoms or undesired behavior; and

o why such procedures are not safe;

· basic first aid. This training was provided on March 2, 2024; and

· strategies to minimize the risk of sexual violence, including concepts of healthy relationships, consent, and bodily autonomy of people with disabilities. This training was provided on March 2, 2024.

b. SP2 was hired on May 7, 2025. The license holder did not ensure SP2 received orientation training on the following topics within 60 calendar days of hire:

· basic first aid. This training was provided on April 9, 2026; and

· strategies to minimize the risk of sexual violence, including concepts of healthy relationships, consent, and bodily autonomy of people with disabilities. This training was provided on April 10, 2026.

Corrective Action Ordered: On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

13. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.09, subdivision 5.

Violation: For one staff person whose record was reviewed (SP1), the license holder did not ensure annual training was completed as required.

Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.02, subdivision 2b defines “annual” or “annually” to mean prior to or within the same month of the subsequent calendar year.

The license holder did not provide annual training to SP1 in 2026 on the following topics:

· data privacy requirements according to MN Statutes, sections 13.01 to 13.10 and 13.46, the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), and staff responsibilities related to complying with data privacy practices;

· the service recipient rights, and staff responsibilities related to ensuring the exercise and protection of those rights according to the requirements in 245D.04;

· sections 245A.65, 245A.66, and 626.557 & Ch.260E, governing maltreatment reporting & service planning for children & vulnerable adults, & staff responsibilities related to protecting persons from maltreatment and reporting maltreatment, which includes:

o annual review to VA Maltreatment Reporting;

o annual review of Maltreatment to Minors Reporting; and

o annual review to the LH’s program abuse prevention plan.

· the principles of person-centered service planning and delivery as identified in Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.07, subdivision 1a, and how they applied to direct support service provided by the staff person;

· the safe and correct use of manual restraint on an emergency basis according to the requirements in section 245D.061 and what constitutes the use of restraints, time out, and seclusion, including chemical restraint;

· staff responsibilities related to prohibited procedures under section 245D.06, subdivision 5, why such procedures are not effective for reducing or eliminating symptoms or undesired behavior, and why such procedures are not safe;

· basic first aid; and

· strategies to minimize the risk of sexual violence, including concepts of healthy relationships, consent, and bodily autonomy of people with disabilities.

  SP1 last received the above-mentioned training in March 2025.  

Corrective Action Ordered: Within 30 days of receiving this order, you must provide SP1 with the above-mentioned annual training. On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

14. Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 245D.095, subdivision 5.

Violation: For two staff persons whose records were reviewed (SP1 and SP2), the license holder did not maintain personnel records as required.

The license holder did not maintain documentation for orientation and training in SP1’s and SP2’s personnel records that included:

· the date training was completed;

· the number of hours per subject area; and

· the name of the trainer or instructor.

Corrective Action Ordered: On an ongoing basis, you must maintain compliance as required in this subdivision.

If you fail to correct the violations specified in the Correction Order within the prescribed time lines the Commissioner may issue an Order of Conditional License or may impose a fine and order other licensing sanctions pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 245A.06 and 245A.07. .

B. Right to Request Reconsideration

If you believe any of the citations are in error, you have the right to request that the Commissioner of Human Services reconsider the parts of the Correction Order that you believe to be in error. The request for reconsideration must be in writing and received by the Commissioner within 20 calendar days after receipt of this report. Your request for reconsideration must be sent to:

Commissioner, Department of Human Services

ATTN: Legal Unit

Licensing Division

PO Box 64953

St. Paul, MN 55164-0242

Please note that a request for reconsideration does not stay any provisions or requirements of the Correction Order. The Commissioner’s disposition of a request for reconsideration is final and not subject to appeal under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14.

If you have any questions regarding this Correction Order, please contact me as soon as possible.

Kathleen “Katie” Crowley, HCBS Licensor

Licensing Division

Office of Inspector General

651-431-2631


PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer

https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/