The FRS Closure Crisis Reaches Statewide Headlines

Two major Minnesota outlets are now telling the story MARSH has been raising for months. KSTP 5 Eyewitness News features MARSH President Sandra Bond and Sen. Bill Lieske breaking down the math behind the state's new flat-rate system, the warning that up to 80 percent of Family Residential Services providers may close, and the roughly 3,300 vulnerable Minnesotans whose homes are now at risk. Access Press carries a commentary by Sandra Donohue framing the change as both a human services failure and a small-business collapse, with provider reimbursements down an average of 45 percent since the switch. Read both reports linked next to this post.

KTSP 5 Eyewitness News
Access Press Commentary

MARSH

Why MARSH

A coalition of AFC/HCBS providers dedicated to a better tomorrow for those we serve

Latest Q&A Session

The board of MARSH alongside our lobbyist, Debra Hilstrom, discuss the current happenings at MARSH, how to approach your local representatives, and what our current objectives are for this legislative session. Become a member to access to the resources discussed in this Q&A including sample letters for contacting your local representatives.

What is MARSH?

MARSH (Minnesota Association of Residential Service Homes) is a 501(c)(6) business association representing Minnesota providers of adult foster care (AFC) and home- and community-based services (HCBS). Its members hold licenses under Minnesota Statutes Chapters 245A and 245D.

Mission Statement

MARSH exists to promote the adult foster care and family residential services (FRS) industries in Minnesota, to assist providers in maintaining compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, to promote best practices in the provision of AFC and FRS services, to combat overzealous enforcement by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and to advocate in the legislature and in the courts on behalf of AFC and FRS providers.