Empowering
Asians with Disabilities to Lead Program
Women’s
Initiative for Self Empowerment (WISE) is looking for Hmong adults
with developmental disabilities and parents of children with developmental
disabilities to attend the Empowering Asians with Disabilities
to Lead program. The workshops and trainings will provide the participants
information in the following areas: supported employment and supported
living, how to access community, county, and transition services,
self advocacy and leadership empowerment, assistive technology
and special education. The workshops will also provide informational
support to families and individuals with developmental disabilities.
Deadline to register for the 2004-2005 workshops is November 18,
2004. For more information contact Nancy Her or May Moua at 651-646-3268,
or by email at wiseinterns@aol.com
HCMC
Now an Option for UCare Members
UCare
members enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs can now use
HCMC, Hennepin County Medical Center and its primary care clinics
in Minneapolis, Richfield, and Brooklyn Center. For more information,
contact HCMC at 612-873-3337 or UCare at 612-676-3562.
Taking
Care of Your Health
The
University of Minnesota’s Center for
Spirituality and Healing has developed an informative, online
learning series for health care consumers titled Keeping U Well.
The first online series titled, Taking Charge of Your Health
is free of charge. The Taking Care of Your Health series will
enable consumers to become insightful, well-informed health care
consumers. It can be accessed at www.csh.umn.edu/freedemo. Future
titles will feature other topics in healing options and will
be offered for a fee. For more information, contact Sara E. Buss
at the Academic Health Center at 612-624-2449, or John Halstrom
at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at 612-624-2141.
Volunteers
Needed – Como Park Zoo and Conservatory
Beginning
January 8, 2005, Como Zoo and Conservatory is offering monthly
training session to attract new volunteers. The trainings are held
on Saturdays from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm and are free. Volunteers
must commit for 12 months (snow birds are welcome and vacations
are expected). To learn more contact the Como Volunteer office
at 651-487-8252 or visit the website at www.comozooconservatory.org
Ms.
Wheelchair Minnesota
Ms.
Wheelchair Minnesota is seeking sponsor and contestants for the
2005 pageant. Contestants must be U.S. citizens between the ages
of 21-60 and use a wheelchair on a daily basis. Contestants are
judged on their accomplishments, self perception and self-projection,
and communication skills in personal and on-stage interviews with
a team of judges. Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota is NOT a beauty contest.
The mission of the program is to provide an opportunity for women
of achievement who utilize wheelchairs to successfully educate
and advocate for individuals with disabilities. For
more information, please contact Jen Onsum at 763-350-6955, or
at ms@mswheelchairmn.org
Fingersteps
Fingersteps is about teaching music composition, theory and performance.
At its core, it is a traditional music program that has been adapted.
We discovered that technology need not be the center of the program,
but rather a compliment; enabling special needs students. Our goal
is to give them the tools to create and perform. This approach is
very effective and we are having great success.
Fingersteps has recently developed technology that may finally enable
children with CP and other debilitating conditions to be mainstreamed
with their peers in school band or in ensembles with other handicapped
students. Using WIFI (wireless) PDAs as Musical Instrument Controllers,
students are able to perform.
If you would like more information on this program, please feel
free to contact Dan Moffatt, danmoffatt@hotmail.com or visit www.fingersteps.org.
Minnesota
Receives Grant for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities
Minnesota has received a $350,000 grant that will, over the next
three years, help some 2,500 older adults and adults with disabilities
who are on Medicaid manage their own personal care services and live
more independently.
The
grant from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will be administered
through the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in partnership
with the Minnesota Board on Aging. Minnesota is one of 11 states
to receive the funds as an expansion of the foundation’s Cash & Counseling
program, aimed at giving Medicaid recipients more choice and control
over the personal care services they are eligible to receive.
Traditionally, personal care and home care agencies have provided
Medicaid-funded services to the elderly and younger people with disabilities.
While consumers may choose among available agencies, they have less
control over what individual provides the services or when or how
they are provided.
With the grant funds, Minnesota will provide additional training
for county social service workers, service providers, referral agencies
and consumers. The funds will also go toward consumer-directed communications,
consumer advocacy efforts and computer equipment to improve services.
More
information on Minnesota’s Cash & Counseling program
is available on the Minnesota DHS Web site at www.dhs.state.mn.us Information
on the national Cash & Counseling program is available online
at www.cashandcounseling.org or
through RWJF’s Website at www.rwjf.org.
SSA Disability Starter Kits
The
Disability Starter Kits are available for both adult beneficiaries,
as well as for children under age 18. The starter kits provide
information about the specific documents and the information that
SSA requests from its beneficiaries. The kits also provide general
information about the disability programs and the SSA decision-making
process that can help take some of the mystery out of applying
for disability benefits.
Each Disability Starter Kit contains a:
Fact sheet that answers questions most people ask about applying
for disability benefits,
Checklist of documents and information SSA requests, and
Worksheet to help gather and organize the information.
Access
the URL to link to an adult or child starter kit in both English
and Spanish formats. http://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm
New National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities
The new National Dropout Prevention Center for Students with Disabilities
is the first of its kind to focus exclusively on students with special
needs in an attempt to decrease the dropout rates of special-needs
students and to make it easier for states, districts and schools
to use and implement effective practices. For more information: http://www.dropoutprevention.org.
Governor
Pawlenty Unlocks $2.2m for Local Non-profit: Minnesotans with Disabilities
Benefit
Assistive Technology of Minnesota (ATMn*) in Maple Plain, was awarded
two significant federal grants to provide access to equipment and
services for Minnesotans with disabilities. These grants will improve
the quality of life for many individuals with disabilities by providing
access to employment, education and the community, increasing self-sufficiency
and expanding opportunities.
The last census reported that there are approximately 700,000 people
with disabilities living in Minnesota. Often these individuals lack
financial options for the purchase of assistive technology devices.
In order to create more opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities,
ATMn* applied for, and received, two significant federal grants.
The first of the two grants will fund an innovative employment program
for Minnesotans with disabilities. One of President Bush's special
initiatives, the Access to Telework Grant provides this funding to
build employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The
federal government will match every dollar raised by ATMN at a rate
of 9 to one up to a maximum of $860,000.
The second grant, Alternative Finance Mechanism Program (AFP) from
the United States Department of Education, will provide funds to
re-design and expand ATMn*s low-interest loan program. The program
will provide financial support to purchase of equipment for individuals
who have limited resources. The federal grant will provide a three
to one match. ATMn* must raise a local match of $423,660 to access
$1,270,981 in federal funds. Upon receipt of the matching funds,
both programs will provide services for many years into the future
Assistive Technology of Minnesota (ATMn*) is the only statewide
nonprofit organization that dedicates its resources to the issues
of access and equipment needs for people with disabilities. Assistive
Technology (AT) refers to the devices and services that an individual
with disabilities uses to improve their lives. AT reduces the barriers
associated with limited physical abilities and debilitating medical
conditions, supporting continued independence in the face of degenerative
disease, injury and aging. ATMn* provides information, financial
aid and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities in order to
access desperately needed equipment. ATMn* is dedicated to providing
this life-changing technology and its services, from simple to complex,
for all ages and all disabilities. For more information, or to donate
to ATMn* see www.atmn.org or call 763-479-8239.
Volunteers
Needed
Parkway
Elementary on Mounds Blvd in St. Paul is looking for volunteers
to do one on one mentoring and tutoring of first graders through
third graders who need help with learning to read. They can use
anyone who would be ready to start now, or if you want to wait
until after the elections, they could use you then too. The time
commitment would be roughly an hour a week. Anyone who is interested
will be welcome, as long as they have no criminal record. Teenagers
also welcome. contact Havid Hippee at 651-293-8845, ext. 2299,
cell: 763-242-3455, email david.hippee@ci.stpaul.mn.us.
Metropolitan
Council Seeks Applicants for Transportation Advisory Board (TAB)
The
Metropolitan Council is taking applications for four positions
on the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). The TAB is a 33-member
body, composed of elected officials, representatives of government
agencies involved in transportation issues, citizen members, and
members who represent transportation modes, such as transit, freight
and non-motorized modes. The Council is seeking applicants for citizen
representatives for two-year terms to represent:
District
E (Council districts 9 and 10) - District 9 includes Andover, Anoka,
Bethel, Coon Rapids, East Bethel, Ham Lake, Oak Grove, Ramsey and
St. Francis, and the towns of Burns and Linwood. District
10 includes Circle Pines, Lexington, Arden Hills, Blaine, Falcon
Heights, Lauderdale, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, Roseville,
Shoreview and Spring Lake Park.
District
F (Council districts 11 and 12) - District 11 includes Centerville,
Lino Lakes and the town of Columbus, Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood,
North St. Paul, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, the town of White
Bear, Hugo, Landfall and Oakdale. District 12 includes the remainder
of Washington County.
District
G (Council districts 13 and 14) - District 13 includes Lilydale,
Mendota, Mendota Heights, Sunfish Lake, West St. Paul and the portion
of St. Paul east of I-35E. District 14 includes St. Paul west of
I-35E.
District
H (Council districts 15 and 16) - District 15 includes Burnsville,
Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul and most of Eagan
District 16 includes southern Dakota County and the southern part
of Eagan.
TAB
helps ensure coordination and cooperation among the many agencies
and local units of government responsible for transportation planning
and encourages citizen participation. TAB advises the Council on
transportation issues involving the regional highway, public transit
and airport systems, as well as bike and pedestrian facilities. It
helps develop plans and programs to meet the transportation needs
of the seven-county metro area. TAB also solicits, reviews and selects
local, state and regional projects and programs in the metro area
to receive federal transportation funding. For more on TAB, see http://www.metrocouncil.org/services/tab.htm Citizen
members must reside in the TAB district for which they are appointed.
Citizen and modal members of TAB cannot be elected officials or members
of another metropolitan commission. TAB meets monthly on the third
Wednesday of the month. Members may also serve on one or more subcommittees,
which meet as necessary. The Metropolitan Council appoints the eight
citizen members, the two transit representatives, and the representative
for non-motorized transportation. The Council also appoints one of
its own 16 members to TAB. For an application contact Luanne Major
at (651) 602-1758 or luanne.major@metc.state.mn.us, or download the
application form from http://www.metrocouncil.org/about/TABApplication2005.pdf.
Applications are due by 5 p.m.Wednesday, Nov. 24. The Metropolitan
Council expects to announce appointments in January.
New
Study Shows 4th District Medicare Beneficiaries Paying High Rx
Prices Despite Passage of Medicare Law
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) announced a new Congressional
study of prescription drug prices in the Fourth Congressional District
showing that costs remain high despite the passage of the new Medicare
law.
"Under the new Medicare law, the Bush administration put the
interests of drug companies and HMOs ahead of seniors and the disabled," said
McCollum. "This new survey confirms that Minnesota seniors are
still finding much cheaper prescriptions in Canada, despite the temporary
discount cards sanctioned by this law. Sadly, the law blocks re-importation
of these lower cost medications."
The
Medicare prescription drug cards became available to the public
on June 1, 2004. Currently, 34 drug cards are available to seniors
in the Fourth Congressional District. The report finds that,
with the exception of some low-income seniors, most seniors will
see few, if any, benefits. Specifically, the report finds that:
Prices
available through the Medicare drug cards in Rep. McCollum's
district are significantly higher than prices for the same drugs
in Canada. The average price for the top ten drugs for seniors
are 57 % higher than Canadian prices.
Prices
available through the Medicare drug cards in Rep. McCollum's district
are significantly higher than prices negotiated by the federal
government for the same drugs. The average prices offered by the
Medicare prescription drug cards were nearly 60% higher than prices
negotiated by the federal government for the VA and other federal
agencies.
Prices available through the Medicare drug cards
are comparable to other prices currently available to Medicare
beneficiaries. The average prices offered by the Medicare prescription
drug cards were virtually identical to the prices charged by www.Drugstore.com.
To read the full report, please visit Congresswoman McCollum's
website at http://www.mccollum.house.gov or
for more information, contact Joshua Straka, District Director & Director
of Communications, (651) 224-9191.
Mixed Blood Theatre Expanding
Access
Mixed
Blood Theatre in Minneapolis is expanding access options for its
mainstage shows, and is offering a special Access Pass for its
2004-05 season. Every show will have a performance that is:
(1)
ASL-interpreted for people who are deaf or hearing impaired
(2) audio described for people who are blind or of low vision
AND
(3) captioned for people who are hard of hearing. Each line of
the play will be projected onto a large monitor, so audience
members can read along with the action, just like closed-captioned
TV. The season line-up includes:
Flags
-- Friday October 15, 2004 - 8 pm (90 minutes)
Permanent
Collection -- Friday, November 12, 2004 - 8 pm (two hours)
Queen
of the Remote Control -- Friday, February 18, 2004 - 8 pm
Take
Me Out -- Friday, April 15, 2005 - 8 pm
Found
-- Friday, May 13, 2005 - 8 pm
Deaf
Duckling -- Access date to be determined
The
cost of a regular Friday night season pass is $70. To make the
season even more accessible, Mixed Blood is dropping the cost by
10% for access patrons and their companions. That means you get
all five mainstage shows, plus The Deaf Duckling, for only $63!
To take advantage of this offer, contact Robin C. Gillette, Assistant
Director, Marketing & Community Relations, at 612-338-5403
or robin@mixedblood.com.
Hennepin County
Expands Mental Health Service for Children
Hennepin County
commissioners voted to accept $600,000 from the Metropolitan Health
Plan (MPO) to expand and improve services to children with mental
illness. About $245,000 will be used to expand crisis mental health
services to children, to ensure services are available 24 hours
a day, seven days a week. About $200,000 will be used fund more
Primary Projects in the 2004-2004 school year. Primary Project
identifies children in pre-school through 3rd grade who seem to
have a hard time adjusting to school and provides support for them
to improve their skills. The rest of the grant will be used to
improving a family's ability to obtain services within Hennepin
County. For more information contact Julie Halpern, Hennepin County
Human Services at 612-348-9259.
October is National
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Women over the
age of 40 are recommended to receive an annual mammogram and clinical
exams. According to the Minnesota Department of Health over 15,000
women were diagnosed with breast cancer during a five-year period
from 1992 to 1996 and over 3,000 women died from the disease in
that time period. If you do not have a doctor to receive these
services you can contact the Open Cities Health Center at 651-290-9200.
They do accept most insurances and do have a sliding fee scale
available.
Discharge Planning
Group Will Better Track Vulnerable Adults
Vulnerable people
leaving Hennepin County institutions or programs such as correctional
facilities or foster care are more likely to be successful, safe
and independent if they have plans for housing, employment, medical
care and other necessities. With discharge planning assistance,
people are less likely to reenter the public system. The Hennepin
County board staff is to forma Discharge Policy Planning Group
to evaluate discharge planning models and recommend new strategies
to increase the stability of people leaving institutions and reduce
costly and repeated returns to public assistance.
PACER Center
Offers Training
The
PACER Center is offering two programs for educating about disabilities.
Let's Prevent Abuse Program is a child abuse prevention program
featuring four puppets representing children with and without
disabilities and is designed for children in grades 1 through
4. Puppets talk about: the definitions of physical and sexual
abuse, things that children can do to help keep themselves safe,
the need for children to talk about the abuse if they are mistreated,
how to receive help and whom to tell, and that the child is never
at fault is he or she is a victim of abuse.
Count Me In! features puppets that represent children who are blind,
deaf, have mental retardation, epilepsy, ADHD, learning disabilities,
autism, cerebral palsy, juvenile diabetes, spina bifida, and other
disabilities. The program gives children the opportunity to listen
to how children with disabilities feel, think and move and ask questions
to learn about different disabilities.
For more information on the PACER programs contact them at 952-838-9000
or toll-free at 800-537-2237. You can e-mail them at pacer@pacer.org or visit their website at www.pacer.org.
Volunteer Opportunity
Ramsey
County is looking for citizens to serve on the Community Human
Services Citizens Advisory Council.
Ramsey County
depends on citizen input to help make policy decisions. The Ramsey
County Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) needs members on the following
committees: Chemical Health, Adult Mental Health, Development Disabilities,
and Low Income. Current or former recipients of services and persons
of color are especially encourage to apply for membership. For
an application or more information, call Dawn Autenreith at 651-266-4423.
