About

ARRM Committees & Groups

ARRM relies on the volunteered time of its members to guide its work and make positive changes in the industry.

At the heart of every successful ARRM endeavor you'll find the expertise and hard work of ARRM committee volunteers. Whether it's the Annual Conference, educational workshops, legislative successes, rule reform, strengthening public relations, providing technical assistance for our members or setting new ARRM benefits, the work and brain power of committee members is behind it.

For More Information

Email us, or call 651-291-1086, ext. 0.

About the Education Committee

Plans, organizes, and implements ARRM’s exciting Forward Annual Conference and other educational opportunities offered by ARRM. Ensures that ARRM provides a mix of trainings to support the needs of members, their staff, and the industry as a whole.

Work Includes: Selecting presenters, soliciting exhibitors, and planning events.

Meets: As needed. Includes a required planning retreat in August/September of each year.

Staffed By: Ashley Wear | Email: awear@arrm.org

Chair: Krystal Glad, Range Center

Vice Chair: Cindy Ostrowski, Hiawatha Homes

View Members  Apply Now

Education Committee

UBS Task Force

About the UBS Task Force

Works to connect ARRM providers of unit based services with the Department of Human Services to assist with their unique technical assistance needs. Works to create resources for ARRM members and influence ARRM's legislative agenda to build the future of unit based services in Minnesota.

Meets: Second Thursday from 12:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Staffed by: Sara Grafstrom | Email: sgrafstrom@arrm.org

Co-Chairs: Jennifer O'Neill, Howry Residential Services and Rhonda Peterson, Integrity Living Options, Inc.

View Members  Apply Now

About the Finance Committee

Works with the Board Treasurer and ARRM staff in overseeing the budget, finances, investments and financial policies to maintain fiscal integrity.

Meets: Periodically throughout the year Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m.

Staffed by: Rachel Dyer | Email: rdyer@arrm.org

Chair: Tom Gillespie,Living Well Disability Services (Board Treasurer)

Vice Chair: Mark Dubbels, Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota 

View Members  Apply Now

Finance Committee

Financial Resources Committee

About the Financial Resources Committee

Analyzes the impact of provider payments and rate setting systems and develops ARRM positions, legislation and proposals for immediate action. It also provides member training through the Business and Finance Forums and other venues as needed, and continually updates and advises members as issues develop on the state and county levels.

Work Includes: Monitoring the roll-out of Waiver Reimagine, evaluating waiver and ICF/DD reimbursement issues, advising ARRM’s quantitative data collection efforts

Meets: First Thursday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Staffed by: Ken Bence | Email: kbence@arrm.org

Chair: John Estrem , Hammer Residences, Inc.

Vice Chair: Brent Krocak, Mary T, Inc.

View Members  Apply Now

Grassroots Advocacy Network

About the Grassroots Advocacy Network

Assists in the planning and organization of all ARRM’s major grassroots activities. The network primarily works on initiatives to support ARRM’s legislative agenda, such initiatives include legislative forums, meetings, and site visits. Network members serve as lead grassroots contacts and are responsible for representing select districts and keeping the group aware of community activities.

Work Includes: Assisting in Disability Services Day planning, creating trainings and toolkits, and organizing and hosting legislative events.

Meets: Second Friday from 11am – 12pm

Staffed by: Johnny Tvedt | Email: jtvedt@arrm.org

Co-Chairs: Lisa Thelen (REM Minnesota, Inc.) and Michelle Hooey (DRCC)

View Members  Apply Now

About the ICF Task Force

Discusses and monitors challenges facing the ICF/IDD provider community and develops strategies, including legislation, to address them. Focuses on strengthening relationships with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health, as well as creating a space for ICF/IDD providers to network.

Work Includes: Monitoring legislation addressing variable rates and services during the day.

Meets: Second Wednesday of the Month (January, April, July and October) from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Staffed by: Sue Schettle | Email: sschettle@arrm.org

Chair: Beth Tollefson, Living Well Disability Services

Vice Chair: Sue Walker, Hammer Residences, Inc.

View Members  Apply Now

ICF Task Force

About the Service Innovations Committee

Envisions and advances the elements of an ideal community of providing services to Minnesotans with disabilities by fostering innovation, invention, meaningful choice and provider stability. Utilizes member expertise by coordinating reform-related initiatives among other ARRM committees. Tracks regulatory developments and designs ARRM positions to replace archaic regulations with standards based on individual quality outcomes. Updates membership on complying with current regulations.

Meets: Second Thursday from 10:00-12:00 a.m.

Staffed by: Sara Grafstrom | Email: sgrafstrom@arrm.org

Chair: Jon Nelson, Residential Services, Inc.

Vice Chair: Karin Stockwell, Dungarvin Minnesota

View Members  Apply Now

Service Innovations Committee

Technology Work Group

About the Technology Work Group

Advances the use of technology to support people with disabilities for the greater promotion of independence and as part of the solution to workforce shortages.

Work includes: Reviewing and developing policy related to the use of assistive technology, oversight of ARRM's promotional initiative (The Technology Resource Center), making recommendations to the Service Innovations Committee about ARRM's focus related to technology and developing a plan for the state to better utilize and integrate technology in providing supports to people in all appropriate aspects of daily living.

Meets: Second Tuesday from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Staffed by: Alaina Gallagher | Email: agallagher@arrm.org

Chair: Alan Berner, Phoenix Residences, Inc.

Vice Chair: Kathy Nesheim-Larson, REM Minnesota/ Sevita

View Members  Apply Now

Family Providers Network

About the Family Providers Network

The Family Providers Network will work to engage more FRS providers to join ARRM, as well as receive information about the process and recommendations of the concurrent Waiver Reimagine efforts at DHS. Group membership is open to ARRM AFC/FRS providers, Life Sharing partners, ARRM members that work with FRS providers; and will include ARRM staff. 

Meets: First Tuesday of every other month from 2:30-4:00 pm

Staffed by: Ken Bence | Email: kbence@arrm.org

Co-Chairs: Linda Fairchild (Fairchild's FosterCare) and  Becky Gaul (Gaul Family Adult Foster Care)


View Members  Apply Now