External Program Review Committee (EPRC) agenda

Date: 2-4 p.m. on Aug 6, 2026
DSD liaisons: Jessica Little and Ari Dionisopoulos
Type: Whole committee
Location: Room 2222, Elmer L. Andersen Building, 540 Cedar Street, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Meeting link: https://minnesota.webex.com/minnesota/j.php?MTID=m5b8757a8f150dd9a584d2d9da31ea72f
Access code: 2482 703 7275
Accommodations: If you need an accommodation for this meeting, you must notify a DSD liaison three days before the meeting. Email PositiveSupports@state.mn.us or call (651) 431-4300.

Common acronyms used by the committee

We ask committee members to avoid the use of acronyms. Here are common acronyms:

· BIRF: DHS form 5148: Behavioral Intervention Report Form

· CABC: Context, antecedent, behavior, consequence

· CFSS: Community First Services and Supports

· DEED: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

· DHS: Minnesota Department of Human Services

· DLI: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

· DSD: Disability Services Division

· DSP: Direct support professional

· EUMR: Emergency use of manual restraint

· FBA: Functional behavior assessment

· HCBS: Home and community-based services

· IRP: Interim Review Panel (Predecessor to the EPRC)

· MDH: Minnesota Department of Health

· PCA: Personal care assistant

· PSR: Positive Supports Rule: Minnesota Rule 9544

· PSTP: DHS form 6810: Positive Support Transition Plan

General reminders for committee members

Before speaking, please state your name. Committee members are expected to:

· Be on time.

· Read the minutes, agenda and supporting documents before each meeting.

· Participate in ideas and conversations, as well as pause to allow others to share input.

· Commit to spending the whole meeting time present and not engage in other activities during the meeting.

Technology

The first few minutes of every meeting will be dedicated to addressing any connectivity issues, to ensure everyone can hear other meeting participants.

Agenda items

Public comments

The committee encourages public participants to share their thoughts and ask questions about committee activities at the beginning of each meeting. The committee will continue on to the next agenda item when either 1) 30 minutes have passed or 2) when there are no additional comments or questions, whichever comes first.

Vote

The committee will discuss and vote on the minutes from July 2026.

Updates to share

Regional positive support capacity building meetings

Committee members are invited to give any updates they may have on this topic. More information can be found at: Regional Capacity Building – Positive Supports (qualitycouncilmn.org).

Simplify and organize online DHS materials and training resources related to positive support services

No current updates.

Intervention services redesign

The survey is complete.

Direct care workforce shortage

· New resource for care professionals: The Regional Quality Councils of Arc Minnesota, using DHS grant funds, created a series of videos for care professionals:

Video 1: Understanding Advocacy

Video 2: Ways to Advocate

Video 3: Government 101

Video 4: Compensation: What You Need to Know

· DEED updates

Health Care Employment in Northwest Minnesota: Growing in New Directions

Caring Careers in Southwest Minnesota: The way the health care sector is growing in Northwest Minnesota today is notably different than the last time the sector grew just seven years ago.

· DLI updates

Earned sick and safe time (ESST) rules go into effect: DLI recently completed the process to adopt rules that clarify how certain aspects of earned sick and safe time (ESST) apply. The rules were developed through a formal process involving public input and review by an administrative law judge. They took effect July 6, 2026. For more information, visit FAQS about ESST rules page.

DLI reminds employers to keep workers informed of rights

Employers have an important responsibility to inform employees about their workplace rights. Providing required notices supports transparency and fairness. Learn more about required notices at mn.gov/notices.  Learn more about required posters at dli.mn.gov/posters.

Workplace Rights Week in September: Join DLI for Minnesota’s Workplace Rights Week Sept. 13-19, 2026. This statewide initiative helps workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities, strengthening workplaces and communities. Last year, DLI connected with thousands of Minnesotans through business visits, events, and virtual presentations. DLI invites you to partner with them in 2026 by hosting or cohosting an event, webinar, or outreach activity. If interested, email Diana Salas at diana.salas@state.mn.us. For more information, visit the Workplace Rights Week page at mn.gov/rights-week.

August webinar: National Breastfeeding Month: State and federal workplace protections of pregnant and nursing parents and programs to assist and recognize supportive employer practices, Aug. 4, from 10-11:15 a.m. Register for the webinar and Aug. 13, from 2-3:15 p.m. Register for the webinar.

Grants available to increase apprenticeship completion: A pair of grants are available to help increase the retention and completion rates of registered apprentices through the use of supportive services. Learn more about the grants and apply.

Help align apprenticeship and workforce development programs: Apprenticeship Minnesota is hosting open information sessions for workforce development partners to support collaboration around aligning registered apprenticeship and workforce development efforts. The next sessions are offered Aug. 19 and Oct. 21

Things going on at the federal level: Kaine Introduces Legislation to Support Direct Care Workforce, Family Caregivers

Subcommittee updates

Requests for approval subcommittee

This subcommittee has been conducting business as usual.

Emergency use of manual restraint subcommittee

This subcommittee has been conducting business as usual.

Discussion

Updates

· 988 Minnesota Lifeline centers have answered more than 370,000 contacts since the program launched in July 2022. “I am 988” video series featuring real 988 Minnesota Lifeline specialists and advocates sharing their personal experiences and showing the people who are there for Minnesotans who contact 988.

· LTSS Advisory Council public comment period open until July 31, 2026: The LTSS Advisory Council is accepting community feedback on its proposed strategies to reduce costs for Medicaid LTSS (e.g., disability and aging services and programs, personal care assistance/Community First Services and Supports, nursing facilities) in Minnesota. To read the full announcement, refer to LTSS Advisory Council public comment period open until July 31, 2026.

Annual goal

Support initiatives that streamline compliance with positive support regulations to reduce administrative burden, and advance efforts that foster psychological safety in the workplace for providers.

Closing

Committee members are welcome to ask questions or bring up other topics for discussion.