Aging: training and conferences

The Minnesota Age and Disabilities Odyssey Conference is a two-day conference held every other year. The conference has been held on either an annual or biennial basis since 1998 and generally attracts more than 1,000 attendees. Attendees are interested in long-term services and supports. They include advocates, consumers, policy makers, providers, counties, tribes, managed care organizations and state government. Odyssey:

• Promotes best practices
• Provides training and technical assistance about DHS programs and services
• Recognizes and honors excellence at the individual, organization and programmatic level
• Offers many opportunities to network.

This online training includes information and tracks for:

• Caregiving 
• Dementia and Cultural responsiveness

More information about the Caregiving and Dementia online courses (PDF).

These courses are available on the Older Adult Programs Learning Center located on TrainLink under Older Adult Programs. To view these online courses, search the Course Catalog for “All MN Board on Aging Courses”.

This training is a YouTube video of a Aging and Adult Services Division videoconference training recorded on April 24, 2019. The video is approximately 2.5 hours in duration.

The training covers the policies and procedures for the EW program and is targeted for staff with up to 12 months of program experience. Those with more experience are welcome to view the training, understanding that the information presented is focused on program basics.

Elderly Waiver (EW): Basic program overview is available on the Older Adult Programs Learning Center. To view this training, click on "Course Catalog Search." Search the course catalog for “Elderly Waiver” or "EW" or select category “All” and look for the class title.

MMIS online training are available on the Older Adult Programs Learning Center. To view all MMIS online courses, click on "Course Catalog Search." Search the course catalog for “MMIS” or select category “All MMIS courses”.

These courses provide instructions on how to use following program documents, but do not replace the MMIS manuals DHS-4625, DHS-4669, or DHS-5020A.

• Using the LTC screening document and service agreement to support the Alternative Care, Elderly Waiver, Essential Community Supports programs. (These instructions can be applied to other programs including the Community Alternative Care (CAC), Brain Injury (BI), and Community Access for Disability Inclusion (CADI) programs.)
• Using the Health Risk Assessment screening document for the Minnesota Senior Health Care Plus (MSC+), Minnesota Options for Senior Care (MSHO), and Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) programs.

A list of all MMIS online courses (PDF) is available. Those interested in MMIS online courses should note:

• The MMIS001: Introduction to MMIS is mandatory and should be completed prior to attempting other courses.  
• Unfamiliar with MMIS? Courses 2 through 5 (MMIS002 – MMIS005) have been designed for you. It is recommended that you view these sessions before viewing any other courses. 
• Each course includes basic instructions for that topic. 
• The courses also do not include any tests.
• After completing a course, you are encouraged to provide comments or questions via the MMIS Training Module Survey page.