Frequently Asked Questions
Common Question About the Project
- A national survey done to learn more about how to help adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability, aging adults, and adults with a physical disability receiving services by the state.
- Interviewers speak with people to get feedback on the services and assistance they receive.
- To gather opinions and experiences of people who receive services through Minnesota Department of Human Services.
- This is done to learn more about how to best help aging adults, adults with a physical disability, and adults with an intellectual or developmental disability that receive Medicaid services in Minnesota.
- Your answers will be used to continue making the services and supports better meet the needs of people who receive services and supports.
- The funding for this work comes from Minnesota Department of Human Services.
- Minnesota Department of Human Services provided Vital Research with a list of people receiving Medicaid services.
- The interview takes about 45-60 minutes.
- Yes! The answers you provide will not be shared with any of the people who are responsible for your services or are paid to help you.
- Participation is voluntary - you can choose to take part, or you can say no. Your choice will not change the services you receive.
- If you participate, you do not have to answer any questions that you do not want to, and you can end the survey at any time.
- You may start and stop the survey at any point if you do not want to continue.
- If you or the person you are a legal guardian for would like to take the survey, please call Vital Research tollfree at 1-(888) 380-7881.
- You will be assigned an interviewer who will call you and set an appointment.
- There are no right and wrong answers. The interviewer wants to hear what you or the person you are the legal guardian for think. You or the person you are a legal guardian can stop the interview any time.
- Nothing. You or the person you are a legal guardian for do not have to participate. Your decision will not change your services.
- You may receive a call from an interviewer asking if you would like to participate. You can let them know you are not interested. You can also call Vital Research toll-free at 1-(888) 380-7881 to let them know that you do not want to take the survey.
- It is important for our interviewers to talk directly to you, the person who is receiving services.
- Opinions of families and staff are important, but they provide different perspectives than the person who is receiving services.
- If you are unable or unwilling to respond, a proxy respondent (such as a family member, friend, or guardian who knows you well) may answer some of the questions on your behalf.
- The survey asks for your opinions about your quality of life and the services you receive (e.g., about your provider, living arrangement, direct care staff, choices of activities, employment, your health and safety).
- You can skip any questions if they do not apply to you.
- We do surveys with a large number of people, so the questions our interviewers ask will be about things that are likely to apply to almost everyone and may not be specific to you.
- No. Your answers are confidential and will not affect the services you receive.
- Call the interviewer who contacted you or call the Vital Research Project Team at 1-(888) 380-7881 (toll-free).
Common Question from Guardians
- Yes! All survey responses are confidential and are not linked to you or the participant receiving services in any way. No one at the state, county, or provider agencies will know how each participant responds.
- All personal information about you and the person for whom you are the legal guardian for is kept private and confidential.
- Please go to the Documents page to view a copy of the document provided by Minnesota Department of Human Services for more details.
- You can also contact Darcie Thomsen at Minnesota Department of Human Services at (651) 431-2568 if you have any questions about the survey.
- The interview is designed for adults of all ages and participants with varying abilities.
- Interviewers are trained on how to interview participants with different abilities and ways of communicating.
- Interviewers learn about how to make participants feel safe when talking with them.
- As the legal guardian, you may be present during the interview and assist in answering some of the questions if needed.
- If an individual is unable or unwilling to respond, the interviewer will switch to a “proxy” version of the survey, which allows you to answer on behalf of the individual.
- If you are unable to be present during the interview and would like to recommend another person who can serve as a proxy if assistance is needed, please inform the interviewer during scheduling.
What if the participant for whom I am a guardian needs to use a communication device to participate?
- Interviewers are trained to conduct interviews with aging adults, adults with physical disabilities, and adults with an intellectual or developmental disability. Communication or other help that you might provide during the survey is appreciated. This information can also be shared with the interviewer during scheduling.
- Only a participant or legal guardians can refuse on behalf of a participant.
- Case managers and staff members in group homes and residential care facilities such as nursing homes cannot refuse on behalf of a participant.
- If a participant is unable to communicate in any way, a legal guardian, family member, or friend who knows them well can answer some questions for them.