DVS: Caretaker information with licenses gives peace of mind, thanks to young Minnesotan
August 10, 2023
When you're responsible for someone's care, it can be scary to leave them alone, even for a short time. A new law passed by the Minnesota Legislature will take one anxiety off your shoulders, thanks to the work of a now-14-year-old Minnesotan.
Makena Prevost — a Girl Scout in Troop 18378 out of Orono, Minn. — needed a community service project to earn her Silver Award from the Girl Scouts of America. She decided to explore the idea of including caregiver information in certain Minnesota driver's license records to let first responders at a crash scene know a person in the vehicle has someone dependent on them who might need extra care.
Makena wanted to make sure her siblings would be remembered if something happened to her parents. While some people with disabilities can be left home with a babysitter or alone for a short time, they have time-sensitive needs. If her parents got into a crash, someone would need to check on the rest of her family.
Not only that, Makena said, “I have family members who have mental disabilities, and, if they were on their own, talking to a police officer, that might be a little intimidating. It could be hard for them to process and tell the officer what happened."
The caregiver information included in a license record was her solution. Makena and her mom, ShawnMarie Prevost, took the proposal to Sgt. Pete Ekenberg of the Corcoran Police Department, who loved the idea. He put her in touch with Bill Hammes with our Office of Traffic Safety who coordinated with our Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division and legislators to make it happen.
The benefits were immediately recognized by DVS leaders. In the event of a crash, law enforcement officers will know that there is someone at home who is dependent on the caretaker. This means that the authorities can quickly respond to the situation and ensure that the dependent individual is not left unattended. Not only does it offer the reassurance that their loved one will be taken care of if the worst happens, but it also relieves anxiety and stress at the thought of leaving their loved one alone.
“The caretaker law is a simple but powerful tool that ensures the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals in our community," DVS Program Director Jody-Kay Peterson said. “By providing this information in your DVS record, caretakers can have peace of mind knowing that their loved ones will be taken care of in the event of an emergency."
The law was passed by the Legislature last spring and went into effect Aug. 1.
“It's helpful for so many people as it is, but it's going to help so many more," ShawnMarie said.
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