Statement from the Leadership of the Autism Society of Minnesota On Disability Services Fraud, Public Trust, and the Need for Allyship

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) is deeply concerned by recent revelations of fraud within Minnesota’s publicly funded disability services system. These actions represent not only a misuse of public resources but a direct harm to people with disabilities who rely on these services to live full, self-directed lives in their communities.

People with disabilities are not passive recipients of care; they are students, workers, parents, neighbors, and contributors to Minnesota’s civic and economic life. When systems designed to support their health and independence are exploited, individuals with disabilities and their families experience real consequences—disrupted services, loss of continuity, heightened administrative and social scrutiny, and increased uncertainty. These harms compound existing barriers and reinforce inequities that Minnesotans have long led and worked to dismantle.

Fraud in disability services is especially damaging because it exploits trust. Individuals with disabilities and their families must trust providers, case managers, and public systems with deeply personal aspects of their lives. That trust is foundational to effective services and informed choice. When it is violated, the damage extends far beyond financial loss—it undermines confidence in systems meant to promote autonomy, dignity, and opportunity.

This erosion of trust poses a broader risk to Minnesota’s core cultural values. Minnesota has a long tradition of investing in community-based supports, shared responsibility, and care for one another—particularly for those who face systemic barriers. Public confidence (or dare, public pride) in these programs is essential to sustaining them. When fraud dominates the narrative, it threatens public willingness to support services that are critical to inclusion, equity, and civil rights for people with disabilities.

It is essential to be clear: the vast majority of disability service providers, direct support professionals, and families act ethically and with integrity every day. They work under challenging conditions to support individuals with complex needs and deserve recognition, not suspicion. Fraud committed by a small number of bad actors should not justify policies that restrict access or destabilize services for thousands of Minnesotans who depend on them. Social or political action against the broader Somali community (or any racial or cultural community) is reprehensible and must be condemned.

Simultaneously, these events reveal systemic vulnerabilities that must be addressed responsibly. Program administration necessitates commensurate infrastructure, workforce stability, and consistent accountability mechanisms to mitigate conditions where exploitation becomes possible. Addressing these weaknesses requires thoughtful reform—we must be more than reactionary.

AuSM urges a response grounded in partnership and allyship:

• Legislative leaders must pursue balanced solutions that strengthen oversight and transparency while safeguarding access to services. People with disabilities and their families must be included as partners in policy design, ensuring reforms reflect real-world impacts and uphold civil rights.
• State agencies must implement accountability measures that are targeted and precise, avoiding broad disruptions that leave individuals without essential supports. Clear communication and continuity of care are critical to minimizing harm.

• Community members and advocates must stand in solidarity with people with disabilities, rejecting stigma and recognizing that protecting the integrity of services and protecting the people who rely on them are inseparable goals. The autism community includes individuals and families from diverse backgrounds; allyship must be informed, equitable, and free from prejudice or undue political influence.

The autism community, like the broader disability community, depends on trust—between individuals, providers, policymakers, and the public. Restoring and protecting that trust is a task of moral and cultural character; it is essential to preserving Minnesota’s commitment to inclusion.

AuSM remains committed to working collaboratively with lawmakers, agencies, providers, and families to strengthen systems that are ethical, transparent, and worthy of public confidence, including that of its disabled members. Financial accountability and allyship must move forward together. Only then can we ensure that Minnesota’s disability services truly reflect our values and support people with autism in living meaningful, self-determined lives.