Dakota Communities works in collaboration with self-advocates, family members, friends, Case Managers, guardians and others to coordinate appropriate resources to secure the individualized supports necessary in order to help people meet their needs. In 2012, 95% of self-advocates reported that Dakota Communities is helping them to reach their potential while 98% of family members and guardians reported that Dakota Communities is helping their loved reach their potential. The non-residential services program (NRS) grew 23%, building capacity to serve more Minnesotans. Dakota Communities facilitated over 250 face to face meetings with State and Federal Legislators in 2012, likely resulting in decreased financial cuts and delaying legislation that could potentially have negative impact on available funding and resources for adults with disabilities. Among our highlights, Dakota Communities became a tobacco-free organization in 2012. The healthy menu system was expanded, resulting in a reduction of medications and significant aggregate weight loss of more than 650 pounds since 2011. In addition, technologies including I-pads were made available to people receiving services. Three bathrooms and two kitchens were remodeled, and two ceiling tracks were added to homes to increase accessibility. And finally, the Board launched a task force charged with reviewing and making recommendations for improvements to the branding and marketing efforts of Dakota Communities.

In 2013, Dakota Communities will continue to grow Non-residential services (NRS), including consideration of the addition of some new services. Program growth will be measured in numbers of added families, increased hours of service, and ability to acquire a larger market share for Hennepin, Anoka and Ramsey Counties. We also plan to begin transition discussions adults that have self-identified as ready to move to more independent, community settings, while continuing to expand our Wellness initiative for all of those we serve and our employees. 2013 will include advocacy efforts to maintain positive influence on Legislative decision making for the benefit of Minnesotans with disabilities. We will invest in increasing our technology infrastructure and improve technology available to people receiving services; goals include implementation of electronic health and medical records process to capture efficiencies and reduce medication delivery errors and discrepancies. Finally, the Board task force created in 2012 will finalize work on the organization’s external positioning, branding and marketing review with a view to increasing sustainability.

Dakota Communities serves a broad spectrum of people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities such as Cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, autism, and brain injury. These may be complicated by diabetes, health issues related to aging, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and medical fragility. We also provide mental health and behavior supports as part of our services for people with dual diagnoses.

Dakota Communities currently provides services in eight counties of the Twin Cities region: Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright.