Representatives from The Arc Minnesota had a rare opportunity to hear directly from senior Obama administration officials on disabilities. The five Minnesotans were among 150 invited guests from The Arc groups across the nation. They took part in the White House Community Leaders Briefing on disability issues, held on Feb. 10. “This briefing reminded me how ...

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Advocates for special education are keeping a close eye on the 2012 Minnesota Legislature. That is in part because of actions during the 2011 session that threatened their programs. The Arc Minnesota will make protecting Minnesota’s special education laws and rules a top priority for 2012. That means being vigilant to guard programs and services against ...

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The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) is weighing changes designed to make the group more sustainable and effective. Following a Nov. 17 membership meeting in St. Paul, MN-CCD member organizations are discussing a proposed reorganization. Groups will weigh in Dec. 14 when they meet again. If the changes are approved, they would be ...

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People with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families have many unmet needs and inadequate opportunities to lead productive lives in their communities, according to a national survey. Sixty-two percent of caregivers surveyed reported a decrease in services for their family member with a disability. State budget proposals threaten this further. “Fifty years ago, President Kennedy called ...

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Saying that “cuts to special education would create significant funding gaps that would force school districts to shift funds from general education programs, increase class sizes, or raise property taxes, just to maintain their current levels of special education services,” Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the K-12 Education Finance Omnibus Bill, (HF 934) May 24. Dayton ...

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Crunch time is on at the state capitol as the Minnesota Legislature works toward a May 23 adjournment deadline. But with Gov. Mark Dayton and the House and Senate far apart on budget bills, including the crucial Health and Human Services bills, what could happen in the days ahead is anyone’s guess. Virtually every service people ...

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Self-advocates with disabilities, their family members, support staff and other disability advocates are hoping that a crowded state capitol rotunda convinces state officials to support disability services. More than 330 people attended the January 25 Disability Matters Day at the Capitol rally. With massive state budget cuts looming, it was an early mobilizing event in ...

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Prudent budget-cutting measures or irresponsible attack on the lives of people with disabilities? A report on proposed health care spending cuts is sparking intense debate throughout Minnesota, as sweeping changes are proposed to state programs. The report, “Minnesota’s Healthcare Imperative,” contains specific proposals for potential cost savings from within Minnesota’s current public health care system ...

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Steve Larson, Public Policy Director for The Arc of Minnesota, detailed The Arc of Minnesota’s 2011 Legislative Agenda. “We will be an active participant in the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities to protect those essential disability supports that provide safety, opportunity, and security. We will also strongly support the Safe Schools for ...

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Team gets a real field The Courage Center Rolling Twins youth softball team will soon have a new paved softball field. The field will become reality thanks to the Minnesota Twins and a $200,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant. The Minnesota Twins competed with other Major League baseball teams for the grant, which was won through online voting. Twins ...

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The issue of overbilling by personal care attendant (PCA) services in Minnesota continues to roil Minnesotans who rely on those services. The overbilling issues have been raised by a state investigation and this spring by the Star Tribune. Steve Larson, The Arc of Minnesota’s Public Policy Director, responded to the investigation in a letter to the ...

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A fee increase included in the recently approved state budget agreement is a tax on families who have children with disabilities, according to The Arc of Minnesota, an advocacy group for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. “Why are we targeting families who are trying to raise their children with disabilities?” said Pat Mellenthin, Executive ...

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Minnesota, as told through the pages of Access Press, is one of victories and defeats, activism and accolades. Come with us on a trip back through the past two decades. This installment covers the first five years of newspaper coverage. Subsequent installments will appear in future issues. May 1990 Access Press published its first issue, ...

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State elected officials are not providing the necessary leadership to protect persons with disabilities from harmful cuts to human services, according The Arc of Minnesota, an advocacy group for persons with intellectual and other developmental disabilities.   “Our legislators and the governor must promote innovations in human services, not just propose more service cuts,” Pat Mellenthin, The ...

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Articles/Contributors: Six Years - Some Success: Organizing Brings Victories, But No Time to Relax, by Charlie Smith Editor's Column, by Charlie Smith Awakening from Winter, by LeAnne Dahl Hello Nicole, by Nicole Protection for the Mentally Ill, by Sandy Gardener Billy Graham is Coming: God is Accessible to All, by Dale Lundgren Arc Advocates for Home Ownership, by Mark Wilde What is the ...

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