Coronavirus Information

Uncertain times have called for a lot of changes, including suspending offerings at our Day Service facilities – but one thing remains the same:

Lifeworks is still accepting intakes and offering services.

Available support includes:

● Remote, one-to-one:

□ Individual Day Support Services

□ Self-Directed Resource Navigation

□ Community Skill Building

□ Employment Services, including: Pre-Employment, Exploration, Development, and Support

● Self-directing your support through Fiscal Management Services:

□ Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS)

□ Consumer Support Grant (CSG)

□ PCA Choice

□ Personal Support & Respite (PS&R)

□ Night Supervision

● Music Therapy

□ Virtual, one-to-one sessions

□ Free, educational videos

With you leading the way, we honor choice and provide a seamless intake process, virtual support, user-friendly digital tools, and responsive communication.

Have questions? Let us help. Our knowledgeable staff are here for you. All you need to do is give us a call at 651-454-2732 or Contact Us.

Lifeworks Response to COVID-19

The safety and the well-being of the people we serve, their families, and staff are Lifeworks’ top priorities. As the COVID-19 situation has evolved, Lifeworks has been listening to people within our community, leveraging state and federal guidelines, and responding to its impact.

The changes needed for how we deliver services and the corresponding financial results of COVID-19 led Lifeworks to make several, time-sensitive decisions and modifications to the way we conduct operations. In a two-week time period, Lifeworks developed a robust business continuity plan, enhanced health and safety protocols, transitioned to a remote workforce, postponed (and ultimately cancelled) our largest fundraiser, and furloughed some of our fellow team members. While these immediate efforts were necessary to continue supporting people with disabilities, we are putting into place long-term strategies for navigating and responding to the pandemic.

Reinventing What’s Possible

Despite staying at home, the people we serve have told us that they still would like and need support. Everyone wants more flexibility and choice in how they select and receive services and we believe that by leveraging technology, we can move beyond traditional service models.

At Lifeworks, we’re not afraid to try new things. The “new normal” of COVID-19 has pushed Lifeworks to evolve and innovate quickly. Remote check-ins, intakes, and annuals continue to take place across all of Lifeworks offerings. We’re also working to implement new offerings that include family training, night supervision, virtual Pre-Employment, and self-directed advocacy workshops.

To continue to be a leading service provider for people with disabilities, Lifeworks is examining every process we use and every service we offer. We’re focusing on developing outcome-based models that will help us further demonstrate the impact of our work and encourage systematic change. As Lifeworks looks to the future of services, we know that reinvention will both allow us to expand our offerings to more people throughout the state and will also help people increase their self-reliance and receive more natural support in their communities.

COVID-19 Initiative to assist people with disabilities

January 12, 2022

The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities in collaboration with the Minnesota Disability Law Center announce a COVID-19 initiative to assist people with disabilities.

Are there barriers that are making it hard for you as a person with a disability to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Maybe you need a ride, someone to go with you, or help signing up online. Or you might just need to talk to someone you can trust to get more information. You have a right to get the vaccine if you want it. The Minnesota Disability Law Center can help.

Watch this video to learn more, or call 651-432-4608, or email vaccination@mylegalaid.org. The Minnesota Disability Law Center also does outreach events on vaccine access and other disability rights issues to community groups, schools, and other organizations – contact us if you’d like us to participate in an event!

COVID-19 Vaccination Information

March 26, 2021

Governor Walz announced that starting Tuesday, March 30, all Minnesotans over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

To ensure the equitable distribution of safe and effective vaccines, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) launched the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector. It is available to all residents of Minnesota. The form requests personal information, including demographic data, medical history, and contact details. After signing up, you will receive information about vaccine opportunities in your area.

Please note: Lifeworks is not coordinating vaccinations for employees. The state is overseeing vaccine allocation and we support their effort to ensure equitable distribution.

More information can be found at resources listed below:

● April 27, 2021: The Minnesota Department of Health is now offering COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds seven days a week to every person with a disability, regardless of zip code. The vaccine is free and health insurance is not required. People with disabilities can sign up by visiting: https://bit.ly/3eAkagn or by calling 833-431-2053.

● Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 Public Helpline: 1-833-2053. They are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

● MDH’s Frequently Asked Questions About the Vaccine Connector webpage

● COVID-19 Community Coordinators contact information document includes organizations contracted through the State of Minnesota to connect communities with COVID-19 testing.

● Vaccine Connector Translations webpage provides sign-up information in Español, Hmong, and Somali.

● Who’s Getting Vaccinated? webpage offers details about vaccine eligibility and supply in Minnesota.