Minnesota Governor's Coun…velopmental Disabilities/Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities - Disc 1.iso/mac/TEXT/GT032.TXT

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INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356


METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Status of Community Work Training Program

A consultant, JoAnne DeBerry, presented three, one-half day workshops on new and innovative teaching methods that work with severely handicapped persons. Approximately 45 staff persons from four agencies participated in the workshops. After the formal classroom presentations, the consultant will go to the individual agencies to give on-site follow-up assistance to the participants of the workshops.

Alternative Community Systems, Inc. another project consultant, has been in contact with all of the agencies since October 1 to determine agency needs and goals. This phase of the program has been completed and they will start working with the agencies on an individual basis to tailor a program of technical assistance designed to help them meet the goals of the project.

The Metropolitan Council staff of the Community Work Training Program is also making arrangements to provide supervisors and counselors from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation with inservice training. The presenters of the training workshops will be national experts in the field of community-based training for developmentally disabled persons. The first presenter will be Paul Wehman from Virginia Commonwealth University, who will present a one-day workshop for DVR personnel in mid-February.



Vol. 10 No. 1
January 1985

DD Information Exchange encourages readers to send employment opportunity information for publication in this newsletter. We are not able to include "employment wanted" items, however.

The staff of the Developmental Disabilities Program wish all our readers "Happy Holidays."

NEW SERVICES

Job Accommodation Network

Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a system that allows a business to talk to another business about ways to manage disability costs. It is also a system whereby such accommodation information is collected to be shared with other businesses in helping disabled persons in the work environment.

The President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped (PCEH) has involved private business and industry, the federal government and the West Virginia Research and Training Center in the network system. The system will be developing a computerized database of job accommodation information.

JAN has successfully gathered needed information from employers nationwide on how accommodations were made for the disabled, what the costs were, and what


 Job Accommodation Network

the availability is on devices used. It has put the information into one retrievable package.

The primary objective of the network is to enable employers to find out what other employers have done in accommodating "functional limitations." This may be a new term to many, but it is logical and accurate to describe a person s job related limitations. It enables the prospective employer to pinpoint the accommodation needed for a particular applicant in most cases. It often gives employers more than one choice in making needed accommodations. At the same time it removes the focus from the disability and puts the concern on the job duties.

JAN provides this service free to all employers in the United States via an 800 toll-free number (1-800-JAN-PCEH) which allows any company to gather needed information in minutes.

For more information, write JAN, PO Box 468, Morgantown, W. Va. 26505 or call, 1-800-JAN-PECH.

DEAFNET--A New Service for Hearing-Impaired People


DEAFNET is a computer communication network that enables hearing impaired persons to communicate with one another. Users of this service connect with a central computer using any kind of TTY/TDD s or computer terminals to send and receive messages. These messages can be left and picked up by the users electronic mailbox.

DEAFNET is a demonstration project made possible through a grant from the Minnesota Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. It is a available on a tefal basis until Feb. 28, 1985 and is free to all TTY/TDD and computer terminal users who have a "mailbox." A mailbox is given to individuals or groups who attend one to three training sessions.

DEAFNET (Continued)

For more information, contact Amy Hawks, DEAFNET Specialist, Minnesota Foundation for Better Hearing and Speech, 50B Bremer Building, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101. Tel. [phone] Voice/TDD.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Placement Fees Can Be Reviewed

In light of recent legislative changes, the Department of Human Services . instructed counties to offer parents of children in placement, the opportunity to review the fees they pay. Under the new legislation, the maximum amount that may be charged is five percent of income. Counties have been instructed to offer several options for establishing fees until the rule for the new legislation is established. This will probably take almost a year to complete.

Parents interested in a review which may result in a reduction of their fee should call their County Social Services Department or their local office of the Association for Retarded Citizens.

Poster Child Contest

SERTOMA (Service TO Mankind) and the Minnesota Foundation for Better Hearing and Speech Parent Network announce the first annual Minnesota Poster Child Contest. The contest is conducted in conjunction with Better Hearing and Speech Month (May) and is a campaign to promote public awareness about communicative impairments.

Poster child nominees must be at least four, but no older than seven years of age as of May 1, 1985, and must have a moderate to profound hearing impairment. Contestants may be sponsored by parents, friends, teachers, audiologists, speech clinicians or organizations.

Contest entry forms may be obtained from Minnesota Foundation for Better Hearing and Speech, 508 Bremer Bldg., 7th and Robert Sts., St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel. [phone] V/T W ). Deadline for entry submission is February 1.

 Request for Information

The Epilepsy Foundation of America (EFA) is initiating a new service called the Program Exchange and is seeking information on programs that are successfully serving people with epilepsy and other disabilities. The goal of the Program Exchange will be to provide technical assistance to EFA affiliates and other organizations that wish to start programs for people with epilepsy and need a proven model on which to build. EFA is seeking information on successful programs in areas such as respite care, independent living services, recreation and camping, education, self-help, family support, vocational training and fund-raising.

Send information to Epilepsy Foundation of America, Program Exchange, 4351 Garden City Dr., Landover, Md. 20785.

Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed to help handicapped and elderly people and people with low incomes prepare their income tax returns. Volunteers] attend a training course in December or January, then work a few hours a week from February 1st to April 15.

For information on training classes contact Dorothy Hanson or Kevin Lorenz at [phone].

Seminars Offered

DLM Teaching Resources of Allen, Texas offers three seminars on the Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery/Scales of Independent Behavior (WJ/SIB) to professionals who work-with exceptional individuals in special education and related fields and for people with training responsibilities in university programs.

The seminars have been developed in cooperation with the test authors to provide the most comprehensive and expert instruction possible. Included in the author team are:

Seminars (Continued)

--Richard W. Woodcock, Ed.D., Director Measurement/Learning/Consultants;
--Robert H. Bruininks, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota;
--Richard F. Weatherman, Ed.D., Professor, Department of Educational Policy and Administration and Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota; and ---Bradley K. Hill, M.A., Assistant to the Director of the Center for Residential and Community Services, University of Minnesota.

The seminars are offered at specific times at various locations throughout the country and will be offered in Minneapolis on February 6 and 7.

To obtain a registration form or for more information, contact DLM Teaching Resources, One DLM Park, Allen, Texas 75002. Tel. [phone].

Nominations Sought

Sister Kenny Institute is seeking nominations to recognize those employees with disabilities who have successfully contributed to the quality of work and community life, as well as to recognize those employers who promote meaningful and challenging work opportunities. All employees and companies nominated will be honored at the Institute s Projects with Industry Awards Banquet on Feb. 8, 1985. Five Outstanding Employee awards will be presented at the awards banquet.

Employees may be nominated from businesses, organizations or government agencies.

For a nomination form, or for more information, write Projects With Industry, Vocational Services Department, Sister Kenny Institute, 800 E. 28th St. at Chicago Av., Minneapolis, MN 55407. Tel. [phone].

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Snowmobile Ride

The St. Paul Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) is sponsoring its fourth annual Snowmobile Ride on Saturday, Feb. 2, starting at 9:30 a.m. All riders should register at the Phoenix House near Lindstrom, Minn. The ride will consist of a 50-mile route following trails of the Chisago Trail System and will begin and end at the Phoenix House.

For more information, contact Richard Helgeson at St. Paul ARC. Tel. [phone].

Vacation Program for Autistic People

Alternatives for Autistic People, Inc. and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board are offering a winter vacation recreation program to 14 adults and children. Each participant will be involved in either morning or afternoon activities for six days. The program is intended for people who are autistic or similarly disabled. They must be ambulatory and live in their family homes on an on-going basis. Program dates are Dec. 26, 27, 28, 31 and Jan. 2 and 3.

For more information call the Armatage Neighborhood Center at [phone].

Budget Rent A Car Program

The Budget Rent A Car ant Association for Retarded Citizens/USA Commitment Program has been established. About S15,000 will be available annually for vocationally related projects for people who are mentally retarded. Local and state ARC units and other private, nonprofit corporations that serve individuals with mental retardation are eligible.

Applicants should contact the marketing department of the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) national headquarters at PO Box 6109, Arlington, Texas 76011, to receive instructions for submitting proposals for 1985.

Budget Rent A Car Program (Continued)

Funds are being raised through the sale of Magno soap, exotic ebony bars made in Spain and packaged as a bath-eke bar ant as a three-bar gift set. Each type costs S2. Sales of the soap began earlier this year at Budget Rent A Car offices across the country.

Over 80 percent of the funds raised hill go into the Budget Rent A Car Vocational Opportunities Program ant ARC National Headquarters will administer the program. The program will provide funds for a broad array of vocationally-related programs in local communities that foster successful employment and greater self-sufficiency for individuals who are mentally retarded.

New Job Created

A new position has been created by the State of Delaware through ARC s On-the-Job Training (OJT) project with specific funds from the Delaware Foundation for Retarded Citizens.

The position is that of "Generic Agency Aide," a special position that allows adults who are mentally retarded to work in a competitive environment of state agencies. Generic service aides perform basic tasks that include delivering the daily mail, photocopying material, messenger service and light filing. Qualified employees are prescreened by the office of vocational rehabilitation and referred to OJT placement staff for evaluation.

OJT Project implements hope the Delaware program will stimulate other states to develop similar programs. "Some day we want to see a Generk Agency Aide classification, held by qualified persons with mental retardation, in every state," said OJT Project Director Michael Scumbaugh of Arlington, Texas. "We re looking at ways to expand Delaware's success."

For more information on the program, contact William Wiest, Director, ARC/Delaware, PO Box 1896, Wilmington, Del. 19899.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE SUPPLEMENT

Development Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul,  Minnesota   66101

Minnesota State Planning Agency
Roger Strand    612/296-4018
Editor


COUNCIL ON FAMILIES AND CHILDREN ISSUES EFFORT

The Governor s Council on Families and Children, Department of Human Services, has issued a report with recommendations. The report supports the establishment of a Children s Trust Fund to finance the expansion of family based services to prevent child abuse and neglect. Congress has approved matching funds for states that set up trust funds and at least 20 states have already passed such legislation.

Other recommendations of the Council were:

--Expand child care alternatives;

--Have state agencies prepare "family impact statements" evaluating the effects of policies and programs on families and children;

--Improve early identification and intervention programs providing health care monitoring for children;

--Increase support for educational programs to enhance parent/school partnerships;

--Support catastrophic health insurance to insulate families from devastating financial emergencies;

--Support legislation to expand community based services for supporting disabled family members at home.

For copies of the report and further information, contact: Sheila Moriarity, Dept. of Human Services, 400 Centennial Office Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel: [phone].

January 1985

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION PREPARES FOR
1985 LEGISLATIVE SESSION--POSITION PAPER
PUBLISHED


The official position of the Mental Health Association of Minnesota (MHAM) has recently been approved and published by its board of directors and public affairs department. Among several issues addressed, the stance on deinstitutionalization is timely with respect to the anticipated discussions about state hospitals during the next session of the Minnesota Legislature.

That position statement reads:

"The MHAM supports policies of deinstitutionalization that foster the independence, rather than dependence, of persons with mental illness. The essence of deinstitutionalization lies in the enhancement of the individual s capacity for independent decision making, independent action, and attainment of optimum personal goals through the use of various components of a supportive mental health service system."

Other issues or policy positions address the areas of civil rights, development of a state mental health plan, minimum standards employment/support, education and residential services, early intervention, respite care, case management, and appropriate care and treatment.

The entire text of the position paper was published in Focus in Minnesota, Dec. -84/ Jan. 85. For further information, contact: HMAM, 5501 Green Valley Dr. Bloomington, Minn. 55437.[phone].


 NEW COURT MONITOR ENCOURAGES DIALOGUE,
UNDERSTANDING AND NEGOTIATION

After moving from New Hampshire, Richard A. Cohen started his appointment in Minnesota last September as Court Monitor for the Welsh vs. Levine Consent Decree. He has visited several community residential facilities and all but two of the state hospitals in his attempt to acquaint himself with the Minnesota service system and the people involved at every level, in both public and private sectors. He says he has now gained a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the system.

As a neutral office of the federal district court, it is Cohen s job to review the extent to which the defendants (Commissioner Leonard Levine, Department of Human Services, et al.) have complied with the consent decree which has been in effect since 1980. He also receives reports of alleged noncompliance with the provisions of the decree.

Cohen has requested that a series of working sessions between the plaintiffs and the defendants be scheduled to discuss noncompliance issues and to negotiate possible resolutions to these issues.

One recurring issue, for example, has been the failure on the part of the service system to prevent institutional placement of children as well as keeping children in state hospitals for more than the one-year minimum requirement. "Realistic solutions to such issues would call for a proactive approach on the part of state and local governments--to start planning and development of needed services earlier, before crisis stage," Cohen said. In order to reduce future admissions to state hospitals, several communities have already responded to Cohen s suggestions by developing alternative services in the community.

When asked about his impressions about Minnesota, in general, Cohen responded that he has detected the existence of schisms between various segments of the service system. "Such diverse views or identifications are largely based on misconceptions, misunderstandings (as

Court Monitor (Continued)

opposed to reality) and poor communication." Cohen stated. "On the other hand," he observed, "there are extremely talented, capable, enthusiastic people in the system at every level who have very good intentions. The challenge is to harness this energy, knowledge and experience in a systemic way," Cohen concluded.

QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES CONFRONTED

More than 140 Minnesotans attended the Quality of Life Congress work session at the Holiday Inn--Capitol in St. Paul on December 5, 1984. This event was sponsored by the Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM) through the McKnight Foundation "Client Centeredness Project." The purpose was to produce written statements in the form of resolutions about the rights and quality of life of persons with developmental disabilities. Four resolutions were developed relating to control, making choices, interpersonal relationships, and learning. Four additional work sessions are scheduled during the next few months to discuss implementation plans.

For copies of the resolutions and for additional information, contact ARRM, 1885 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

CAR RESTRAINTS SAVE CHILDREN AND MONEY

A recent study in Tennessee, published by the Journal of the American Medical Association ( Dec., 9, 1984] has found that restraint devices for youngsters (age four and under) virtually eliminate the risk of death in auto accidents. Also, requiring older children to wear seat belts would lessen the severity of injuries and save millions of dollars in medical costs, the study indicated.

Of the 17 deaths among children in Tennessee in 1982 and 1983, none of the victims were In restraint devices, the study revealed. The study estimated that only 30 percent of youngsters traveling in cars were in restraint devices, even though this requirement has been in effect since 1978. Tennessee was the first state to pass child restraint legislation.

MINNESOTA HEAD INJURY ORGANIZATION
PROPOSED

Effort is underway to form a new organization, "The Minnesota Association of the National Head Injury Foundation." It is estimated that in Minnesota alone, 9,600 people experience a head injury annually. Over three thousand of this number are left moderately to severely disabled. Members are being recruited.

Contact: National Head Injury Foundation, Minnesota Association, 15332 Boulder Creek Dr., Minnetonka, Minn. 55345.

"BREAKING AWAY" FILM AVAILABLE

A one-hour film entitled Breaking Away may be borrowed from Legal Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities. Filmed in British Columbia by a group of parents and professional film makers, this documentary film illustrates the major issues surrounding the transition from an institution to life in the community. Contrasts between restrictive and less restrictive settings are brought into bold relief by sharing actual life experiences a severely handicapped child and his family over several years duration.

For further information, contact Cathy Macdonald, Legal Advocacy Office, 222 Grain Exchange Bldg., 323 4th Ave. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55415. Tel. [phone] or [phone] (toll-free).

PUBLICATION

The Guide to Minnesota Foundations and corporate giving programs, Minnesota Council on Foundations, 1983. This director describes more than 400 private grant makers. The Guide includes introductory chapters on grant making. Indexes and descriptive entries detail funders areas of interest. Cost: $14.95 plus S.90 tax, or tax exempt number. Contact: Minnesota Council on Foundations. 1216 Foshay Tower, Minneapolis, Minn. 55402.

TV INDEPENDENT STUDIES OFFERED--CHILD
ABUSE AND FAMILY STRESS

Two television courses will be offered by the University of Minnesota: 1) Child Abuse and Neglect and 2) Family Stress and Coping. Both courses are taught by nationally know experts at the University. Or. Robertten Bensel, Director of the Program in Maternal and Child Health, will instruct the course on Child Abuse and Neglect. Dr. Hamilton McCubbin, Professor and Head of Family Social Science, will instruct the course on Family Stress and Coping.

Both courses are intended for professionals in human services as well as parents. Course requirements can be completed at home via television broadcast throughout the state. The Family Stress series begins Jan. 12, 1985 on Bemidji KAWE, Jan. 19 on Twin Cities KTCA. The Child Abuse series begins Jan. 23 on Bemidji KAWE and Jan. 16 on Twin Cities KTCA.

For further information, contact: Department of Independent Study, University of Minnesota, 45 Westbrook Hall, 77 SE Pleasant St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Tel. [phone].

COURSE ON LOBBYING OFFERED

"Lobbying--An Empowering Process" is a course being offered by the Metropolitan State University on Tuesday evenings, from Jan. 8 through March 19. LeAnne Nelson Dahl and Mel Duncan will serve as instructors.

For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

EVENTS

Jan. 17

"The Helping Relationship: is a seminar to be held in Rochester, Minn. The instructor will be Don Hrdina, M.S.W., Supervisor of the Medical Social Services Department of the Mayo Clinic. Fee: S35. For more information, contact Beryl Byman, University of Minnesota, Rochester Center, 1200 S. Broadway, Rochester, Minn. 55904. Tel. [phone] or [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The state Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office
has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE BLUE SECTION OF THIS
NEWSLETTER

Mainstreaming Preschoolers: Children with Learning Disabilities: A Guide for Teachers, Parents, and others Who Work with Learning Disabled Preschoolers.  Alice Hayden, Robert Smith, Caren Saaz von Hippel, and Sandra Baer. Washington: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1978. This book describes mainstreaming and its effects on children with learning disabilities. The authors provide guidelines about how parents, teachers, and other people can help in the mainstreaming process. This book is one of seven books the Department of Health and Human Services has issued regarding mainstreaming and its effects ' on children with different disabilities.

Accounting and Financial Reporting: A Guide for United Ways and Not-for-Profit
Human Service Organizations. Alexandria, Va:  United Way of America, 1974.
Principles of    accounting that are important to know in the operation of
human services organizations are outlined in this text. The elements involved in
keeping a complete financial system are outlined. Readers will gain an
understanding    of what the standards are regarding completeness of financial and
accounting records.




INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 2916364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

February 1985
Vol. 10. No.2.

NEW DIRECTOR OF DIVISION OF MR SERVICES (DHS) APPOINTED

Edward R. Skarnulis, Ph.D., has been appointed Director of the Division of Mental Retardation Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services. His impressive background includes experience as a social worker and director of social services in an Iowa state institution; and director of the division of family resource services and residential services at the Eastern Nebraska Community Office of Retardation (ENCOR). In 1980 he went to Kentucky to become director of the division for community services for mental retardation. He comes to Minnesota from Texas where he served for the past two years as deputy commissioner for mental retardation services

Dr. Skarnulis has acted as a consultant on community-based mental retardation services in many states and in other countries. He has extensive, direct experience in social work, long-range comprehensive planning, personnel development, compliance with a class action lawsuit relating to "right to treatment, least restrictive alternatives, etc." quality control, program evaluation and analysis, service development for people with the most severe levels of mental retardation, physical and behavioral disabilities). In other states he has provided services to persons with developmental disabilities who were not retarded but were handicapped by autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He sees such an extension as appropriate because the services needed by people with other related conditions and by their families are so similar to the mental retardation system.

His views on the service system stem from having his "roots in the consumer movement" and observing the success of the integrated, community-based service system developed by ENCOR. Dr. Skarnulis' philosophy of services is also reflected in the primary emphasis he gives to the concept of "supporting, not supplanting the natural home."

His experience also reinforces the importance of having a cost-effective, comprehensive state plan. He states that such a plan should address integrated residential, educational and vocational alternatives including preschool, supported employment, recreation and leisure activities and respite care services. All programs with which he has been associated have underscored the need for competent case management. He feels it is the key to appropriate service provision as is extension of all services to "people with the most severe disabilities." He believes that a plan should also address whether fiscal policies and legislation support or undermine the principle of the least restrictive setting.

Dr. Skarnulis has been involved with the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and recently helped establish the Texas chapter of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH).

Among the attractions of his new position in Minnesota, he lists national acknowledgment of Minnesota's history of progressive leadership in politics and in commitments to human services. He was impressed with accounts he has heard of the vitality of other consumer advocacy organizations. He believes that consumers and parents should actively participate with government in establishing public policy. He was interviewed in St. Paul the evening of the "white-out" blizzard through which he drove from the airport. His reaction to Minnesota climatic conditions was that such a bracing environment was challenging. Such an attitude promises his readiness to meet the challenges of providing vigorous and competent leadership in his new position.

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Training Assistants Needed

Persons interested in becoming paid training assistants for the Community Work Training Project are invited to call Terrence Kayser at 291-6356 to obtain information about the program.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Free Income Tax Guides

The Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Minnesota has federal income tax guides for parents of children with handicaps. The guides were produced by the ARC Michigan.

To obtain a free copy, contact ARC Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. (612J 8275641, or toll-free, 800-582-5256.

Section 1619 of Social Security Act Extended

Section 1619 of the Social Security Act was extended through June 30, 1987. Section 1619 allows severely disabled SSI eligible persons who are able to engage in "substantial gainful activities" to continue to receive Medicaid benefits. Because they fear the loss of Medicaid benefits and private health insurance, many persons on SSI who wish to work do not. If their earnings exceed S300 per month, of if they work nine months out of any 24, they can lose their benefits and be unable to obtain medical care.

The Social Security Disability Benefits Reform Act of 1984 (P.L. 98-460) also requires the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services to establish training programs on Section 1619 for staff personnel in the Social Security Administration district offices and vocational rehabilitation agencies to disseminate information to SSI applicants, recipients, and potentially interested public and private organizations.

Bed Reduction Plan

A consultant report, prepared for the Mental Retardation Division of the Division of Human Services (DHS) by Walker and Associates of Minneapolis recommended that residential facilities voluntarily reduce their size in order to eliminate a total of 730 beds from the community within ten years.

The report was commissioned in response to 1983 legislation which, in effect, commits the State of Minnesota to reduce the number of ICF/MR beds. The law sets a reduction goal for 1986 of 500 beds in state hospitals and community facilities. Of the 500 beds, 300 are expected to be decertified in community based facilities and 200 in state hospitals. The law also encourages the development of a voluntary reduction mechanism, and calls for the development of decertification criteria.

The consultant report calls for a major shift from reliance on large (16-165 bed) facilities to smaller (6-15 bed) facilities. Individual bed reduction plans would be developed by providers in cooperation with county welfare departments.

Incentives to encourage voluntary reduction of size include reimbursement to providers for losses such as will occur when a reduction in client revenues exceeds facility expenses. The state and counties would be asked to pay the provider these extra costs until the facility expenses can be reduced.

The report will be reviewed by a OHS task Force and a final report made to the legislature by Feb. 15.

Home Accessibility Information Needed

Could Minnesotans benefit from a service that would encourage greater independence for handicapped persons by making homes and apartments more accessible? Examples of how people could use financial and technical assistance for home improvements are being collected by the


 Accessibility Information (Continued)

Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped. Such data is needed in order to interest the 1985 Legislature establishing such a service. Personal experience, needs and ideas should be conveyed to: Patti Hague, Legislative Specialist, Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped, 208 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone], or, toll-free, 1-800-6529747.

Minnesota Committee for the Handicapped Action Alerts

The Minnesota Committee for the Handicapped (MCH) is seeking people who will respond to calls to action on legislation in the areas of special education, employment and rehabilitation. MCH's new computerized notification process will increase the efficiency of getting information to handicapped people and advocates so that they can immediately react at critical points in the legislative process.

Persons who volunteer will be sent action alerts just before key votes are apt to occur on education, employment and rehabilitation bills etc. Those who are notified would then be expected to write or call their legislator quickly. The purpose of this network is to increase the number of disabled constituents and advocates that legislators hear from as they vote on legislation that affects people with disabilities.

To participate in this network, the following information is needed:

--Your name and address, including zip code,
--Whether you are a disabled person, parent of a disabled person or a professional,
--Your state legislative district number (or the name of your state representative),
--Your congressional district number (or the name of your federal representative),
--Your areas of interest: special education, education, rehabilitation.

Action Alerts (Continued)

Send the information listed above to Judie Rivkin, MCH, 2527 Monterey S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55416. Tel. [phone].

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Interpreted Performances for Hearing Impaired Persons

Interpreted performances of theatre productions for persons who are hearing impaired will be offered at the following times:

--    Feb. 10 - "The Front Page", Chimera
    Theatre, St. Paul, at 2 p.m.
--    Feb. 20 - "Mystery of the Tattered
    Trunk," Children's Theatre,
    Minneapolis, at 10 a.m.

Photography Class

The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Dakota County plans to offer a
photography class for adults who are    mentally retarded and who wish to learn
the basics of photography.

The class will start in early February and end in mid-March. The cost will be a maximum of $5.

For more information, contact Suzy Zender, ARC/Dakota County at (612) 4572588.

Adapted Aquatics

A swimming class for adults with physical disabilities, including those with limited mobility and/or wheelchairs will be offered by the Bloomington Education Center, Feb. 7 - April 18. Students are welcome to bring a friend or family member at no extra cost. The instructor is certified in adapted aquatics and trained aides will be available to assist. A doctor's written permission is required for those planning to enroll in the class.

-3-

Adapted Aquatics (Continued)

The class will be held at Oak Grove Junior High School, 1300 W. 106th St., Bloomington, on Thursdays from 8 - 8:45 p.m. The cost is S17.50.

To register, call Lynn Dennis, Learning Exchange Coordinator at (612) 8879226.

SERVICES

Disabilities Course Offered

The Minneapolis Technical Institute is offering the 'Assistant to Persons with Developmental Disabilities' course beginning on April 1. The course is designed to provide an understanding of developmental disabilities, legislation and skills needed to assist client and family.

For more information or an application form, call [phone] or (612) 3709444.

Legislative News Service

"Capitol Ideas" is a weekly newsletter on current state and federal bills affecting persons who are handicapped. The January 3, 1985 issue lists related Minnesota legislative committees and their members. To obtain a single issue or to be on the regular mailing list, write or call the Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped, 208 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone], or toll-free, 1-800-652-9747, voice and TTY.

Education and Support Group Formed

Southside Services, Inc. which provides services to mentally handicapped persons, offers an education and support group for female victims of sexual assault who are mentally handicapped. The group is designed to provide support services to those whose ability to read, write or comprehend may be limited. Topics discussed are: myths and facts about sexual assault, self-image and self-esteem, sexuality and relationship issues

Education and Support Group (Continued)

and self-protection. The next group wit, begin in March, 1985.

For more information, contact: Jean Swanson, Southside Services, 2830 Cedar Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55407. Tel. [phone].

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES

Feb. 13

"Strategic Planning" is one in a series of workshops of the three-year Organization and Management Development series especially designed for administration staff and board members of developmental achievement centers, residential facilities and sheltered workshops.

The workshop will be held at the Ramada Hotel, 4200 W. 78th St., Minneapolis from 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The preregistration fee for this one-day program is S10 for participants whose agency has enrolled in the entire eight module series and S20 for those enrolling in this workshop only. Registration must be received by Feb. 8; to obtain a registration form, contact the Government Training Services, 202 Minnesota Bldg., 46 E. 4th St. St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Feb. 27

The training and placement Service of the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota will hold a free employer seminar and Job fair 1 - 4:30 p.m. at the Farmers Union Bldg., 1717 University Av. W., St. Paul. The employer seminar, "Meeting the Challenge Through Reasonable Accomodation" will focus on the legal, practical and safety aspects of reasonable accommodation.

For more information, contact Martha Benton or Peggy Huot at [phone].

 REPRINTED FROM COURAGE CENTER PUBLICATION, "MEETING GROUND" JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1985 WITH PERMISSION OF EDITOR AND AUTHOR

Tax deductions and credits for parents of disabled children

Arthur J. Sauter, CPA-Doloitte Haskins & Selle

This article describes many of the tax credits and medical expense deductions available to parents of disabled children. These tax benefits were described in previous years' articles. New rulings and decisions during the past year generally dealt with disability issues similar to those discussed in the article.

It may be helpful to first briefly discuss the rules that government deductions as they apply to all taxpayers. The law provides for a limited deduction from adjusted gross income for an individual's unreimbursed expenses incurred for medical care. "Medical care" is defined broadly to include amounts paid for "the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease, or for the purpose of affecting any structure or function of the body." These expenditures are to be distinguished from expenses for treatments beneficial to the general health and well-being of an individual, which are nondeductible. The courts have stated that not every expenditure prescribed by a physician is to be categorized as "medical care." Medical insurance premiums and qualifying medical transportation costs are also included in amounts paid for medical care.

Medical expenses are deductible, however, only to the extent that their total for the year exceeds five percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Beginning in 1934, the one percent floor under medicines and drugs has been eliminated. However, only costs for prescription drugs and insulin will be eligible for the deduction. This restriction bars a deduction for medicines or bugs that may be recommended by a physician but that are obtained without a prescription, such as aspirin over-the-counter cold remedies, eye drops, skin ointments, etc.

Also new in 1984 is the allowance as a medical deduction of lodging expenses incurred to enable an individual to obtain medical care away from home. The lodging expenses of a person who accompanies someone who is unable to bawd alone are also deductible. There is a daily limit to the deduction of $50 per person.

Expenditures for which a taxpayer is reimbursed by insurance during the calendar  year are not deductible If a deduction is taken in one year, and the taxpayer received a reimbursement in a subsequent year, the amount of the reimbursement must be included in income in the year of receipt.

The tax savings from deducting medical expenses can be enough to cut out-of pocket medical care costs effectively by 15 to more than 50 percent. Parents of disabled children know how important these tax benefits can be in reducing the financial strain caused by the extraordinary medical expenses they incur.

The usual expenditures for doctors, hospitals, medicines, eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs and crutches are easily recognized as deductible expenses. However, taxpayers, including parents of disabled children, often overlook many other expenditures that qualify for a medical expense deduction. These frequently missed deductions may be described as the additional expenditures required for the care or treatment of a disabled child Generally, these additional costs may be grouped in the following three categories:

1.The additional costs necessary to modify or adjust a home ant items of personal property to support and maintain a disabled child,

2. The costs of special education and training,

3. Other expenses, including certain transportation costs, for providing medical care.

The additional costs incurred to modify a home or other property are deductible to the extent the costs exceed the increase in value of the property. These additional costs include "medically necessary" installation expenses of, for example, a ramp, elevator, swimming pool, air filter, humidifier or air conditioner. The costs of repair and maintenance or "medically necessary" equipment, including the cost of electricity for operation, are also deductible. The courts, however, appear to have imposes monetary restrictions on how "extravagant" improvements to a home can be. It is advisable, therefore, to obtain a doctor's prescription for any major "medically necessary" expenditure, as well as a "before and after" appraisal of home or other property as support for the medical expense deduction.

The courts and the Internal Revenue Service continue to define further the deductibility of capital expenditures for medical purposes. For example, the cost of building a swimming pool has to be for the primary purpose of, and related directly to, medical care. Strongly  were whether swimming had been prescribed for the a deviation of a particular disease, whether the pool was suitable for general recreational use, whether it was specially designed and equipped, and whether the taxpayer made a "strong showing of necessity." Decisions in this area also seemed to be based on whether comparable treatment could be obtained elsewhere (e.g., at a nearby "Y") at less cost even though not as convenient.

A private letter ruling found that the cost of a swimming pool in excess of any increased home value was deductible by parents whose son was born with a serious back ailment- myelomeningocele. The son's physician prescribed an extensive exercise ~O'`~, including swimming therapy, from early infancy through adulthood. The prescribed pool needed a fairly constant temperature, recessed stairs, parallel bars and shallow area for childhood exercise. In determining deductibility, the Service noted among other things that the swimming pools did not meet the child's needs.

Similarly, the Service has ruled that the annual swimming pool fee charged the parents of a nine-year old son with rheumatoid arthritis was deductible. A fee was pan' to permit the child to use a pool in another school district since there was none available in the county of resistance. The cost of transportation three or four times each week to ant from the pool was also deductible.

The cost of telephone equipment designed to enable a hearing impaired child to use the phone is a deductible medical expense. The Internal Revenue Service has ruled that the extra cost of a specially equipped television set or the cost of the television adapter, both of which enable a hearing-impaired child to understand television programming by playing subtitles on the screen, qualify as deductible medical expenses.

The costs of equipping a van with a wheelchair tiedown clamps, raised roof and other hydraulic and electrical equipment are deductible. As an alternative, if one price is paid for a specially modified vehicle, the difference in its cost from the cost of the vehicle without modifications is tax deductible.

Parents have been allowed a financial deduction for the cost of a car air conditioner for a son whose doctor prescribed relief for the child's respiratory disease. Of course, the amount allowable was only the portion of the cost that exceeded the increase in the car's value.

The costs of special education and training for a disabled child often qualify as a medical deduction.

Tax deductions to page 6

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Page 5

Tax Deductions from page 5

Parents of a disabled child can deduct the cost of special schooling when its principal purpose is to alleviate the disability.  Tests, evaluations and special training, such as lip-reading, speech or braille instruction, are deductible.  Tuition costs may be deducted as medical expense only if (1) the school is "special" (i.e., it provides medical care) and the educational services it extends are merely incidental to its medical resources, or (2) medical care is actually provided (although that is not the primary reason for the student's presence in the school).  In the former situation, the entire expense of the school is deductible, and in the latter only the expense directly attributable to medical care is deductible.

A medical expense deduction has been allowed for tuition payments made by parents to a special school for a child with a severe learning disability.  Amounts paid for a child's tutoring by a teacher who is specially trained and qualified to deal with severe learning disabilities are also deductible, provided the child's doctor recommends such tutoring.  In addition, amounts paid by parents for a child's language training undertaken to correct a condition caused by congential brain damage are deductible.

Two court cases concerning special education expenses for learning disabled children resulted in opposite decisions.  Where a school, using the Montesson method, offered a special program for children with learning disabilities, the Court held that the education costs qualified for the medical expense deduction.  The treatment was directly related to the alleviation of a medical disorder.  Even though there were no psychologists or psychiatrists on the staff, all staff members were educators specializing in the field of learning disabilities.  The case that reached a contrary conclusion involved a special preparatory school for underachievers and students with certain learning disabilities (dyslexia or minimal brain damage).  The school did not provide any type of formal therapy.  A medical deduction for the special education was denied because the school's curriculum was the same as that offered in public schools and because only minimal medical care was provided.

The courts have held several times that the cost of sending a child with dyslexia to a private school that offered small classes, individualized instruction, intensive remedial help and special tutoring was not deductible.  One court said that "the only treatment for dyslexia is training and study skills...education, rather than medicine or therapy, is the means to offset the effect of dyslexia."  The school did not provide medical care and offered the same curriculum for handicapped and nonhandicapped students.

An important consideration with respect to medical expenses is the fact that the deductibility of such expenses does not depend on the title or qualification of the person rendering the care;  rather, it depends on the nature of the care itself.

Favorable rulings have held that amounts paid by parents to have someone guide their blind child throughout the school day were deductible expenses.  Amounts paid to a nonprofessional individual for administering "patterning" exercises to a cerebral-palsied child qualify a medical care expense.

The costs of the regular printed editions of braille books and magazines bought for a blind child in connection with the child's education are also deductible.

There are other deductible expenses for providing medical care, including certain transportation costs that parents of a disabled child may incur.  These qualifying expenses include the cost of a hospital bed, special mattresses, plywood bedboards, corrective shoes, elastic support stockings and the cost of a service that uses computers to store personal medical information.

The Internal Revenue Service held that the cost of buying an extra pair of shoes for a child whose feet were of unequal size was a deductible medical expense.  The Service also reaffirmed the deductibility of the cost in excess of the cost of normal shoes of high-top orthopedic shoes with a lift and a Thomas heel.

Parents have been allowed a medical deduction for the cost of disposable diapers for their four-year-old daughter who was severely brain damaged and completely incontinent.

Parents whose son was a patient in a psychiatric hospital were able to deduct their costs of travel and telephone for consultations with the professional staff.  Consultations or regular visits were undertaken as part of the child's required therapy program rather than for personal reasons.

The cost of a disabled child's bus or taxi fare to and from special schools and instruction, hospitals and doctors' offices are deductible.  If the parents drive the child, automobile expenses calculated at a rate of nine cents a mile and parking fees are deductible.

A deduction, not subject to the medical limitation, is allowed for up to $1,500 of qualified adoption expense paid for adoption of a child who the State determines is a "child with special needs" as defined for purposes of the Social Security Act adoption assistance program.  This is a child who the State determines cannot or should not be returned to his or her parental home, who has a specific condition such as ethnic background, age or physical, mental or emotional disability that makes the child difficult to place, and who has been the subject of an unsuccessful placement effort.

Because of a change in the law in 1983, payments to reimburse foster parents for the expenses-designated "difficulty of care payments"-of caring for a disabled foster child in their home are not subject to federal income tax.  Foster parents who received qualifying foster-care payments during 1981 or 1982 should consider filing amended returns if the payments were included in income.

In addition to the tax benefits resulting from deducting medical and other expenses in computing a person's taxable income, certain income tax credits allowed on parents' tax returns provide other ways to offset the expenses associated with a disabled child.  Although the benefit of tax deductions is dependent on an individual's tax bracket, the cash benefit of tax credits, on the other hand, equals the actual credit amount since the tax is reduced by the total amount of the credit.

A tax credit is allowed for 20 to 30 percent of the amount paid to someone to care for a disabled dependent child while parents work, seek employment or are full-time students.  Payment for care may be made to a nondependent relative, e.g., the child's grandparent.  This "Child Care Credit" is limited to the lesser of $720 per child or $1,440 on the federal return.  Additionally, the credit cannot exceed 30 percent of the earned income of the parent with the lesser earned income.


In addition, for dependents who are quadriplegic, blind or deaf, the Minnesota tax return allows a tax credit of $70 for each condition.

A quadriplegic is defined as an individual who has a congenital or traumatic partial or total loss of all four limbs or who has a disability that substantially impairs the functioning of all four limbs.

The credit for blindness is available if a dependent child's visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses, or if there is a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees.

A dependent child is deaf if the average loss in the speech frequencies in the better ear, unaided, is 92 decibels or worse.

These various tax deductions and credits are some of the ways that the burden of extraordinary expenditures by parents of disabled children can be reduced through tax savings.  When incurring a medical expenditure, however, it is beneficial to provide proper documentation and planning by consulting your child's physician and your tax accountant.

Editors' Note:  We wish to thank Art Sauter for again contributing this valuable article to the Meeting Ground newsletter.  Mr. Sauter is a Certified Public Accountant with the firm of Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, and is also a member of the Courage Center board of Directors.



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INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul,  MN 55101

Minnesota State Planning Agency

Roger Stand 612/296~018
Editor


UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED FACILITY SATELLITE
APPROVED FOR MINNESOTA

Minnesota is expected to be the site of a new University Affiliated Facility (UAF) Satellite Center under funding from the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, Washington, DC. This will be a cooperative endeavor that will be directed by Robert H. Bruininks at the College of Education, University of Minnesota, and Richard P. Nelson, Gillette Children's Hospital, who will serve as associate director.

The Minnesota UAF Satellite Center will support activities in interdisciplinary training for personnel, the provision of exemplary services to developmentally disabled persons and their families, and information dissemination. Some of the key areas that will be addressed in initial Satellite Center activities include: case management; problem behaviors and behavior management; adult education; and integration of developmentally disabled persons with special physical and health needs.

The need for the establishment of a UAF Satellite Center in Minnesota was documented last fall under a grant awarded to the University of Iowa's UAF, which served as host and technical advisor for the study.

For further information, contact: Martha Thurlow, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Minnesota, 350 Elliot Hall, 75 E. River Rd., Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Tel. [phone].

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ANNOUNCED-
EMPLOYMENT RELATED DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

The Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities is inviting applicants for "Projects to Improve the Quantity and Quality of Employment Related Activities for Developmentally Disabled Persons." Approximately S425, 000 is available this year. Applications must conform to the directions contained in the Request for proposals (FFP). Grants will be for a one-year period beginning Oct. 1, 1985. Applications are due in the Council office by 4:30 p.m. on April 19, 1985.

The RFP and application instructions may be obtained from Ron Kaliszewski, Grants Administrator, Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 330 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

DAY AT THE CAPITOL--FEBRUARY 27

The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Minnesota will sponsor its annual "Day at the Capitol" on Wednesday, February 27, 1985, at the Holiday Inn near the State Capitol (Hwy. I-94 at Marion Street). Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. A fee of S9.50 will include lunch and materials.

A special rally in the State Capitol Rotunda is scheduled at 1 p.m. to support legislation which would expand services to include children from birth to age three.

For registration and more information, contact: MC Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. [phone]; toll free at [phone]

BURTON BLATT, SOCIAL REFORMIST, DIES

News was received recently that Burton Blatt died. Blatt was the Dean and Centennial Professor of the School of Education of Syracuse University. In 1981, he was the keynote speaker at the inaugural conference of the Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps.

Known as an outspoken reformer in the field of mental retardation, he has left several publications that will be long remembered, such as: Christmas in Purqetory, Exodus from Pandemonium. and Souls in Extremis: An Anthology on Victims and Victimizers.

JTPA REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED

As authorized under Section 123 of the Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 (JTPA), the Department of Economic Security and the State Board of Vocational Technical Education Jointly announced Requests for Proposals (RFP) for funds available through JTPA--Education Coordination. The Act appropriates funds "to eligible participants through cooperative agreements."

The Governor's Job Training Council has recommended that 20 percent of these education coordination funds be used to serve special needs groups between service delivery areas (SDAs) and education agencies. A total of S434, 856 will be available statewide to operate one-year projects (not to exceed S70,000 each) starting in July 1985.

Bidder's conferences on grant writing training and information are scheduled for Feb. 5, 12, and 27. Proposals are due Monday, April 15, 1985.

To obtain more information, contact: Steve Franz, State Board of Vocational/Technical Education, [phone], or Kay Tracy, State Job Training Office, (612) 2966064.

DIRECTORY ON LEARNING DISABILITIES TO BE ASSEMBLED--ASSISTANCE REQUESTED

The Minnesota Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (MACLD) is attempting to assemble a statewide directory of individuals and agencies who provide services to children and adults with learning disabilities. Such services may include diagnostic testing, tutoring, and/or counseling.

Information that would be helpful to potential directory users is needed. Please submit names, addresses, phone numbers and description of services provided to: Audrey Friedman, Directory project Coordinator, 2500 E. Medicine Lake Blvd., Plymouth, Minn. 55441. Tel. [phone].

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) has issued a call for abstracts in preparation for the Twelfth Annual Conference, Dec. 5 through 7, 1985, to be held in Boston, Mass. Types of sessions include individual paper presentations, poster sessions, panels, and workshops. Submission of completed abstract form are due by Feb. 10, 1985. For abstract format and for more information, contact: TASH, 7010 NE. Roosevelt Way, Seattle, Wash. 98115. Tel. (206? 523-8446.

PUBLICATIONS

Respite Care Services: A Report Prepared for the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Eden, 1984. This report combines literature review and results from interviews held in five selected counties in Minnesota. Recommendations are made regarding the future development of family support services in this state. Copies are available on a limited basis. Contact: Betty Roskos, Department of Human Services, Centennial Office Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel. [phone].

More Prologue. J. Walsh, Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, Excelsior, Minn., 1985. This 65-page booklet traces some of the philosophical and historical changes in Minnesota's service system for Mentally retarded persons. Its contents continue where Mtidred Thompson's Prologue left off in the 1950s.

Copies can be purchased for S4, checks payable to Mount Olivet Rolling Acres. contact: Jamey Walsh, Executive Director, Mount Olivet Rolling Acres, 7200 Rolling Acres Rd., Excelsior, Minn. 55331. Tel. [phone].

Computer-Disability News is a computer resource quarterly newsletter for people with disabilities. For subscription, contact: Computer-Disability News, The National Easter Seal Society, 2023 West Ogden Av., Chicago, Ill. 60612.

TRAINING WORKSHOPS SCHEDULED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF MINNESOTA

There will be several workshops that may be of interest to personnel working in the field of developmental disabilities, workshops that will be sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Minnesota:

--Feb. 11-23, Sexuality and Mentally Handicapped People;

--Feb. 26, Co-Dependency and Human Service Personnel;

--March 26, Sexuality and Mentally Ill
    People; ant

--April 6, Teaching Self-Esteem and Sex Education.

For more information, contact: Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, 1965 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, Minn. 55116. Tel. [phone].

PACER SCHEDULES WORKSHOPS ON EDUCATION RIGHTS

The Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) will be conducting workshops throughout Minnesota during late winter and early spring. Workshop contents will include information on special education laws and procedures and parents'-rights and responsibilities. Dates and places are as follows:

--Feb. 5, Minneapolis, evening;
--Feb. 9, Minneapolis, morning;
--March 4, St. Paul, evening;
--March 9, St. Paul, morning;
--March 21, Benson, evening;
--April 23, Jackson, evening;
--April 30, Minneapolis, evening;
--May 7, Virginia, evening; and
--May 8, Duluth, day.

For more information, contact: PACER, 4826 Chicano Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55417. Tel. t612) 827-2966 (voice and TDD).

DAC DIRECTOR POSITION AVAILABLE

Job applications are being requested to fill the directorship position at the Becker County Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) in Detroit Lakes. The center serves 50 adults and 40 children who have a developmental disability. Business and administration background is preferred. Fringe benefits and salary are negotiable. Send resume to: Personnel Committee, Mike Leonard, Chairman, 1312 Loring Av., Detroit Lakes, Minn. 56501.

EVENTS

Feb. 6

The Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities meets on the first Wednesday of even-numbered months, from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. February's meeting will be held at the Earle Brown Continuing Education Center, University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus. These meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact: Audrey Clasemann. Tel. [phone].

Feb. 9

"Understanding Psychological Reports: Uses for Educational Planning" is a one day seminar to be led by Rozilind D. Kramer, Ph.D., licensed school psychologist. It will be held at the University of Minnesota's Friedell Bldg., 1200 S. Broadway, Rochester, Minn. Contact: Beryl Byman, University of Minnesota, Rochester Center, Rochester, Minn. 55904. Tel. [phone] or [phone].

April 29, 30, May 1

"Individual Justice Plan (IJP)" is a symposium, funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to be held in Omaha, Neb. The symposium will bring together persons from the criminal justice, human services and advocacy systems. The IJP model will be discussed in terms of how it can be replicated in other states. For more information, contact: DeAnn Hughes, Department of Health, Box 95007, Lincoln, Neb. 68509. Tel. [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The state Developmental Disabilities (DO) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE BLUE SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER

Individual Program Planning With Developmentally Disabled Persons. J. D. Parham, C. Rude, and P. Bernanke, Texas Tech University, 1977. That is a group oriented, self-instruction training package, using 3/4. video cassettes and workbook techniques. Because individual program planning requires a team approach, this package is designed to encourage group interaction. Learning to act as a team is the first step toward effective planning with clients. Reproduction of this package is permissible upon notification to the authors.

Curriculum Development Process for the Vocational Domain: An Introduction, A. Renzaglia and M. Hutchins, the Community-Based Instructional Program, Ya. 1984. This document provides procedures and instruments that were developed in Albemarle County, Va. This curriculum development procedure focuses on vocational experiences that will be useful to students in obtaining future Job placements. The instruments and process provide a mechanism for conducting an ecological inventory of employers and employment options specific to individual communities.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

March 1985
Vol. 10. No. 3.

PUBLIC FORUM SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9TH

A public forum will be held on April 9 at 2:30 p.m., sponsored by the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee. Edward R. Skarnulis, Ph.D., will be the featured speaker. He is the newly appointed Director of the Division of Mental Retardation Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services. The forum will be held in the Metropolitan Council Chambers, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. For more information, call [phone].

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Help Needed in Locating Books

The following books have been borrowed from the Metropolitan Council's Curriculum Library and not returned:

-Toward Excellence: Achievements in Residential Services for Persons wit Developmental Disabilities, Apolioni Capuccilli and Cooke;
-Special Educators Guide to Exemplary Curricula, Indiana Dept. of Public Instruction.
-Beyond the Ordinary: The Preparation of Professionals to Educate Severely and Profoundly Handicapped Persons Toward the Development of Standards and Criteria, Perske and Smith.
-New Life in the Neighborhood-How Persons with Retardation or Other Disabilities Can Help Make a Good Community Better, Perske.
-For This Respite...Much Thanks-Concepts, Guidelines and Issues in the Development of Community Respite Care Services, Warren and Dickman.

Borrowers are reminded that they are responsible for the replacement of lost or damaged books. If you have one of these books, please return it to the DD library at 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul.

CALL FOR PAPERS

A call for papers is being issued for a joint conference involving over 20 professional organizations and public and private agencies in Minnesota. The conference, which will be held at the Radisson South in Bloomington, Minn., Oct. 24 and 25, will use the theme of "Looking Ahead to the Year 2000--Working Together".

The proposed topics form a diverse list of timely issues, ranging from Advocacy Within a Changing Service Delivery System to Zero Reject Models. A partial list of program topics, can be found in the brochure accompanying this copy of the DD Information Exchange. If you want a copy of the Call for Papers Form, please complete the tear-off segment of the brochure and send to: Minnesota Organizations, Suite 90, 1885 University Av., St. Paul, MN. 55101-3486.

Prospective presenters are strongly encouraged to submit papers which demonstrate examples of exemplary cooperation and collaboration between professionals or agencies who work with persons with disabilities.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Political Force Planned by League of Disabled Voters

The League of Disabled Voters of Minnesota (LDV) is a non-partisan, educational group created in 1981 to increase the participation in the political process of persons who are affected by disabilities. The League intends to create a viable educated political force comprised of, and representing all disability groups. Membership in the League is open to persons who are citizens and at least 18 years old.

The League is open to both disabled and non-disabled persons throughout the state. Local chapters are being organized in several communities. For more information about Joining the League or establishing a chapter in your community, contact: Carolyn Emerson, president, or Dorothy Balen, membership chair, League of Disabled Voters, P.O. Box 6746, Minneapolis, MN 55406. Tel. [phone] (Carolyn Emerson, days) or [phone] (Dorothy Balen, evenings).

Mandatory Secondary Vocational Education

The Minnesota Board of Education authorized the Department's Secondary Vocational Educational Section to hold a hearing in February on a rule that would require each Minnesota district to offer 560 hours of vocational education classes per school year.

Currently school districts may (but are not required to) offer vocational education. If the district does offer vocational programs for any student, then such programs must be accessible to handicapped students. The proposed rule to require vocational education for students is important to handicapped youth.

Persons who wish to be informed of the details about the hearing on the new rule should contact the Secondary Vocational Education Section of the Minnesota Department of Education at [phone].

PACER selected as Regional Center in National Project

Congressional amendments to the Education for All Handicapped Children Act were designed to strengthen parent training programs. The amendments formally recognized and provided funding for programs that would train parents of handicapped children as well as special education professionals. Also funded was a program called the Technical Assistance for Parent Programs (TAPP), a project proposed by the National Network of Parent Centers.

Minnesota's Parents Advocacy Coalition for Education Rights (PACER) was selected by TAPP's national coordinator to serve as one of five regional centers through which technical assistance will be offered directly to both established and developing parent organizations.

According to Paula Goldberg, who is serving as TAPP director for PACER, technical assistance can include anything from how a parent's group might better reach its target audience, to the correct completion of paperwork required to administer a grant, or to the use of computerized terminology.

Groups who wish to receive technical assistance should contact Polly Edmunds, PACER's TAPP coordinator and describe their needs.

For more information, call PACER at [phone].

Spring Quarter Course Offered

"Community Leisure Services for Special Populations" is a course that will be offered by the University of Minnesota during the spring quarter. This course will involve activities designed to teach students and practitioners to develop, deliver and evaluate community based leisure services for special populations.

The course is open to recreation majors, non-majors and non-university persons from public schools, group homes, developmental learning centers and institutional settings. If not currently

Spring Quarter Course (Continued)

enrolled at the University, you must apply for "Adult Special Status" in the College of Education.

For more information on the course, contact Dr. Stuart J. Schleien at [phone]

Weekend Retreats Offered

The Association for Retarded Citizens of Hennepin County sponsors weekend retreats at Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie for mothers of developmentally disabled children. Weekends run from 6:30 p.m. on Friday through 1 p.m. on Sunday and cost S40. Financial assistance for the weekend fee or babysitting cost is available for those who need it.

The weekend of March 29-31 is reserved for mothers of teens/young adults/adults and April 26-28 for mothers of infants and toddlers.

For more information, call [phone].

SERVICES

Training Tape on Respite Care Available

A training tape on respite care produced by the Office of Special Services, City of Bloomington, and Municipal Services Cable Channel 8 is designed to provide background information on disabilities for persons interested in providing respite care. The tape may be borrowed for a period of two weeks, and must be picked up from and returned to the office at 2215 West Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington. Upon request, a staff person can come and give a preliminary explanation before the tape is shown. There is no charge for this service.

A computer listing of individual and agency respite care providers is available to Bloomington residents only. The ~ service connects names of respite CD re providers with persons needing respite care. All arrangements for services are made between the parties involved.

For more information, contact (612) 8815811, ext. 315, (TDD 887-9677).

Providers of Child-Care Needed

The Child Care Information Network (CCIN) wants to expand its referral listing of persons in Hennepin County with skills and experience in providing child care for children with disabilities. These children are enrolled in special education programs, but care is needed before or after school or during evening hours. Providers of respite care are also needed.

For more information, call CCIN at [phone].

Snow Chains for Wheelchairs

Lightweight chains for wheelchairs that eliminate spinning wheels on snow, ice, sand and mud have been developed. The chains, called 'ground grabbers' act like miniature automobile tire chains to increase traction.

Information on 'ground grabbers' is available from K and R Specialties, 2806 Charles Court NW., Rochester, Minn. 55901. Tel, [phone].

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Winter Sports Programs

Courage Center offers several programs for children with physical disabilities:

--"Saturday Club" is a program for children ages 7 to 14. The program meets for three, 8-week sessions annually and emphasizes the acquisition and enhancement of socialization, leadership, group decision-making skills, responsibility and the opportunity to try a wide variety of recreational activities including cooking, swimming, sports, field trips, crafts, computer games and more.

--"Courage Junior Rolling Rascals" is a program for children ages six to eleven, and is designed to teach basic sports skills, such as catching and throwing. Low organized games are played. All participants use a wheelchair during the program, but do not need to use one for everyday use.

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Courage Center Programs (Continued)

--"Courage Alpine Skiers" offer a downhill ski program in cooperation with Hyland Hills in Bloomington for children six years and older who are ambulatory. One-on-one instruction is provided along with equipment rental.

--.Courage Rolling Rowdiesn is a wheelchair sports program for boys and girls 12 to 18 years old. Participants receive skill instruction and competition in basketball, swimming, archery and track and field.

Athletes do not need to use a wheelchair for everyday use in order to participate; sports wheelchairs are provided.

For further information; call Joan Vanderpool at Courage Center, (612) 5880811, ext. 199.

Winter Recreation

Families who enjoy the north woods in winter as well as summer may want to consider taking part 1n the family fun weekends offered by the St. Paul YMCA's Camp DuNord. The camp 1s located outside Ely on Burntside Lake.

The weekend includes three nights dormitory-style lodging, eight meals, skiing, snowshoeing and other planned, staffed activities. The dates are Feb. 21-24 and Feb. 28 - March 3.

The cost for the weekend is S59 per person. To register, or for more information, call [phone].

Information and Referral Center Renamed

The former Information and Referral Center has been renamed the First Call For Help. Residents of the east metro area can call First Call for Help at 2914666, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For crisis intervention after hours, call Emergency Social Services at 291-6795.

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES

March 5, March 9

Workshops with information on special education laws and procedures and parents' rights and responsibilities have been scheduled for March.

St. Paul
--7:00 - 10 p.m., location to be announced;
Minneapolis
--8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., location to be announced.

Pre-registration is requested. Call or write PACER, 4826 Chicago Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55417. Tel. [phone].

March 13, 14, 15

The 28th Annual Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children Conference w111 be held at the Minneapolis Plaza Hotel, 315 'Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis.

For a brochure detailing topics and speakers, write the Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children, 10125 49th Av. N., Plymouth, Minn. 55452.

April 19, 20

"Focus on Youth: Prevention and Early Intervention: is the theme of the Spring 1985 Conference of the Minnesota Association for Behavior Analysis. It will be held at the Radisson Metrodome in Minneapolis.

For program and registration information, contact: Sherri DeLaHunt, Minnesota Learning Center, East Oak St., Brained, Minn. 56401.

FUTURE EVENTS

May 5

PACER's Third Annual Benefit will be held at the Cricket Theatre, 528 Hennepin Av. Minneapolis. A silent auction will also be featured.

For more information, contact PACER at [phone].

-4-

PUBLICATION HIGHLIGHTS STATE HOSPITAL STUDIES

Seven of the eight reports listed in the preceding article are summarized in a publication entitled Minnesota's State Hospitals. This condensed version describes the changes that have taken place in Minnesota over the past two decades in terms of reducing the numbers of people served by state hospitals. "There is increasing awareness that the system continues to change and that the changes directly affect the lives of patients, residents, employees and communities," the report stated. This report is intended to assist the 1985 Legislature in the decision-making process. These decisions will directly influence the levels of services offered for people with mental illness, mental retardation and chemical dependency.

Copies have been sent to those on the Policy Analysis Series mailing list. Copies may be requested from: Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Governor Withdraws Recommendation to Close Schools for Blind and Deaf Students

On Jan. 3, 1985, Governor Rudy Perpich made a preliminary recommendation to close the Minnesota School for the Deaf and Braille and Sight Saving School located in Faribault. At the same time, he requested the State Planning Agency (SPA) to complete an analysis of the impact this proposal would have on the students involved. By mid February, after considerable response from legislators, parents, teachers and students (including a demonstration in the Capitol Rotunda), the Governor withdrew his recommendation to close the schools.

SPA's analysis consisted of: a) a review of every student record, b) a survey of students, c) a survey of parents and d) a survey of home district special education directors. The surveys of students and families documented universal opposition to the proposed closure. Given a choice, the parents would prefer to keep the schools open, but many would have considered out-of state residential schools in the event of

Faribault Schools (Continued)

closure. Local special education directors expressed concern about closure without following due process procedures. In the event of closure, the local directors preferred placement in the home districts followed by placement in another district with students with similar disabilities.

The residential schools in Faribault were described by the respondents ~n terms of educational quality, opportunity for socialization, involvement in extracurricular activities, and an environment conducive to total communication.

Issues relating to quality of local programs emerged from the surveys, letters and phone calls. These issues included the need for qualified personnel (especially in rural areas), the difficulties in providing appropriate educational programs tailored to individual needs, and the need to thoroughly review such programs in all school settings.

Copies of SPA's summary report to the Governor may be requested from: Developmental Disabilities, SPA, 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

GOVERNOR APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO PLANNING
COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Several new members have been appointed to the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities. The following persons will be serving three-year terms:

--Suzanne Dotson (Minneapolis, program coordinator, Midwest Special Services, Inc., St. Paul;
--Sandra J. Fink (Ramsey, Minn.) early childhood coordinator, Sherburne and Northern Wright County Special Education Cooperative;
--Paul H. Johnson (Redwood Falls), parent, President of Association for Retarded Citizens, Redwood County;
--Gerald Nelson (Minnetonka) executive director of Minnesota Foundation for Better Hearing and Speech;
--Janet Rubenstein (Minneapolis) program director of United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota;

Council Appointments (Continued)

Two additional members were reappointed to the Council:

--Douglas Butler (Rochester) executive director of Hiawatha Homes, Inc.; and
--Ruth Rafteseth (Crookston), parent, employed with the Polk County Probation Office.

Council meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every even-numbered month from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Apr. 3, 1985 at the Earle Brown Continuing Education Center. These meetings are open to the public. For additional information, contact Audrey Clasemann at [phone].

Joan Schospke Nominated for Volunteer recognition Award

The Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities has nominated Joan Sthoepke of Bloomington to receive national recognition for her services to people with autism. Commissioner Jean Elder, Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), Department of Health and Human Services, will present a Volunteer Recognition Award to Joan at the ADD National Forum in Dallas, Texas, March 12-14.

Joan's son has autism. When she became president of the Board of Directors of the Twin Cities Society for Autistic Children and Adults in 1974, there were very few services available to people with autism. It has been through her leadership and the combined thoughts and efforts of many of her colleagues that there are now considerably more opportunities and services available. Some of the services are: special education, adaptive recreation, vocational training and employment, parent support groups, clinical services and alternative living programs in community settings.

When asked what message she might want to share with other parents and volunteers, Joan stressed, "It's important for parents to begin specialized training early when their children are young, but they should realize that it's really a life-long commitment. There's always 'something else' to work on to to advocate for."

HOME CARE SHOULD BE VIEWED AS FlRST OPTION, REPORT CONCLUDES

"Long term care for the elderly has increasingly become a crucial issue facing the state of Minnesota" begins a report on Home Care in Minnesota: Issues and Future Directions, which was recently released by the Health Policy Analysis Group, Center for Health Services Research, University of Minnesota. "With...the expansion of home care services," the report continues, "we have begun to move away from the idea that home care is an 'alternative' to nursing home placement. Instead, home care is starting to be viewed as the first option for long-term care rather than a secondary choice."

Approximately 45,000 Minnesotans over 65 years of age reside in institutions. Sixty percent of these individuals are recipients of Medicaid. Minnesota has one of the highest proportions of its Medicaid budget allocated to nursing home care and almost double the institutional rate in the nation as a whole. While the national average shows under five percent of the elderly institutionalized, Minnesota's rate is over nine percent. Approximately $600 million (federal and state) are spent on institutional care and $50 million are spent for home care for elderly persons in Minnesota each year.

The report concludes that long-term care should be viewed as a continuum that includes all the types and settings of care that are appropriate for different people. Essential ingredients needed are: adequate funding, assessment of needs, and ongoing case management services. Also needed for further development of home care services are: adoption of standards for licensure of home care agencies, monitoring of growth, and improvement of data collection systems.

Copies of the report may be obtained from: [ Moscovice, Ph.D., Director Health Policy Analysis Group, Center For Health Services Research, University of Minnesota, 420 SE Delaware St., Box 729, Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Tel. [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The state Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE FRONT SHEET OF THE BLUE SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER.

Handbook for Job Placement of Mentally Retarded Workers: Training, Opportunities, and Career Areas. A. M. Jacobs, J. K. Larsen, C. A. Smith, Academic Guild, 1979. This is the third, revised edition of the Guide to Jobs for the mentally Retarded. This handbook is a reference manual designed to be used on a day-to-day basis by training and placement personnel. Rather than trying to mold the individual into specific jobs, it emphasizes the -concept of Jobs to fit people. Over eight thousand possible job placements are identified and profiled.

A Management System Approach to Teaching Independent Living Skills and Managing ~ ~. BM, 1978. This manual provides a set of procedures that are designed to be used as an integrated, four-component treatment system: administrative/ management, data tracking, staff training, and client training. Field tested, reliable procedures are provided for implementing effective therapeutic environments. Because most problems in habilltation programs are staff related, the author emphasizes staff organization, training, management and reinforcement.

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

April 1985
Vol. 10. No. 4.

You are invited to hear Edward R. Skarnulis, Ph.D. speak at a public forum sponsored by by the Metropolitan Council's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee. Dr. Skarnulis is the new Director of Mental Retardation Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services. The forum will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 1985, in the Metropolitan Council Chambers, Seventh and Robert Streets in St. Paul, Minn. The forum is open to the public.

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Advisory Committee Members Wins
National Volunteer Honor

Joan Schoepke of Bloomington has won the Volunteer Recognition Award, a national honor given by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Schoepke, the mother of a son with autism, is a former president of the Twin Cities Society for Children and Adults with Autism. She has been a member of its board of directors since 1974.

As a result of the group's advocacy work, there has been significant improvement and expansion of the educational and recreational services available to children with autism and their parents in the Twin Cities Area.

Schoepke said her work has taught her the importance of coalition building. "There is strength in numbers, and when advocating for service, it's very helpful to have the support of others in need of the same services," she said.

In addition to her work for the society, Schoepke has served on many task forces and committees in the region, including the Bloomington Public School's Task force on the Emotionally Disturbed, and the Metropolitan Council's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee.

Publications

Copies of an article "Vocational Training and Employment: Guidelines for Parents" by M. Sherril Moon and Andrew V. Beale that was published in a recent issue of The Exceptional Parent magazine, is available to our readers.

This article outlines steps that should be taken by parents during a child's school years to ensure that he or she receives the proper kind of vocational training and job placement.

To obtain a free copy, call the Developmental Disabilities Program at
[phone] or write, Developmental Disabilities Program, Metropolitan
Council, 7th and Robert Streets, St.Paul, Minn. 55101.

State Hospital Study

This study of Minnesota's state hospitals was requested by the 1984 Legislature which asked that a comprehensive study be made on the following topics:

--Projected displacement of state hospital employees because of deinstitutionalization by number, location, and job classification;
--The extent to which displacement can be mitigated through attrition, retirement, retraining and transfer;

State Hospital Study (Continued)

--The development of cooperative arrangements between the state and local units of government in the carrying out of these goals;
--The necessary changes in the biennial budget to effect any fiscal and policy recommendations of the plan;
--The necessary interagency agreements among and between appropriate departments and agencies as needed to effect recommendations contained in the plan; and
--The energy efficiency of all state hospital buildings.

The Legislature also directed that a plan be developed that would protect the general interests of employees and communities affected by the reduction of state hospital population and specifying methods for assuring minimal impact on the economic life of communities affected by the changes. These actions by the Legislature were based on a recognition that "closure and consolidation of state hospitals have negative economic effects upon the public employees and communities."

Copies of the summary-report may be obtained from the Metropolitan Council's DD Program. Call [phone] for further information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Job Coaches Needed

Persons interested in becoming paid job coaches for the Metropolitan Council's developmental disability Community Work Training Project are invited to call Terrence Kayser at [phone]. Irregular hours; $4.75 - $6 per hour.

Program Staff Needed

Program staff needed part-time or full-time evenings in new waivered-service apartment program in St. Paul. Prefer persons experienced in implementation of skill-building programs. S6 per hour. Send resume. to Gerald Glomb, 1081 Fairmount Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Free music, art, dance and drama workshops are offered by Courage Center's Life Enrichment Program.

April classes include:
--sculpture on April 2, 10 a.m. - noon at the 2100 Bloomington apartments in Minneapolis, and on April 9, 10 a.m. - noon at the Seward Square apartments, also in Minneapolis;
--art on April 15, 1 - 3 p.m. at 2100 Bloomington;
--art workshop, April 16, 1-3 p.m. at the Holmes Greenway apartments in Minneapolis;
--radio drama on Apri1 18 and April 25, 7-9 p.m. at 2100 Bloomington;
--Orama/theatre, April 20, 1-3 p.m. at Seward Square; and
--dance/movement on Apri1 27, 1-3 p.m. at 2100 Bloomington.

Pre-registration is encouraged for all classes. For more Information, contact Cindy Raynor at [phone]. These activities are made possible in part by grant provided by the Metropolitan Council/Regional Arts Council from funds appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature.

Summer Camp

Registrations for summer camping programs for children and adults with mental retardation are currently being accepted at Eden Wood (formerly Indian Chief Camp) in Eden Pralrie.

The camp is operated by the Association for Retarded Citizens (M C) of Hennepin County, and offers enriching outdoor experiences through a variety of theme camps like Theater in the Woods, Leisure Specialties, Kids' Week, Sports and Health and Family Camp Weekends. Offsite programs to the Boundwary Waters Canoe Area an'd state parks are also offered.

Most sessions run for five days with weekend programs available for families. Fees range from $lO-$190, with camperships available to qualified applicants.

Summer Camp (Continued)

Registrations material and further information can be obtained by calling the ARC office at [phone].

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Metropolitan Council Offers Internships

The Metropolitan has paid summer internships available in its programs in housing and transportation planning, communications, graphics, arts administration and its Housing Redevelopment Authority. Applicants must be enrolled in an academic programs and persons with handicaps are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this program, contact Liz Newberry, Equal Oppportunity Coordinator, [phone].

Training for Support Group Offered

The Department of Human Services will offer a "family support" training session ,or providers of home care for frail or disabled adults on May 16 and 17 at McGuire's Inn located in Arden Hills. The cost is approximately $50, including meals and a manual.

Participants will learn how to establish education and support groups for caregivers and will expand their skills in facilitating support groups of all kinds. Trainers are from the Wilder Senior Resource program and the Department of Human Services and Oepartment of Health.

For more information and registration materials, call the staff development division at [phone] or 296-6626.

Practicum/Seminar in Autism Offered

An intensive practicum/seminar in the education of children with autism is offered July 27 - August 3, and August 3 10 for a wide range of professionals in Special Education, Communication Disorders, Psychology, Residential and Suman Services, Recreational, Music and ccupational Therapy.

Seminar (Continued)

The practicum/seminar will be held in conjunction with Camp Hand in Hand, a residential camp for children with autism, 7 to 21 years of age. Participants in the seminar will reside at the camp, Wilder Forest, Marine on St. Croux, near Stillwater where they will gain valuable experience in a dual role as practicum student/counselor. The cost is $100, with room and board provided. Scholarships for the cost of the practicum are available to interested applicants selected by June 1.

For applications and curriculum content, contact Phil Sievers, 1729 Carroll Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104; [phone].

Police Chief to be Keynote Speaker at Conference

Anthony (Tony) Bouza, chief of police of the Minneapolis Police will be the keynote speaker at the Metro-Wide Conference sponsored by Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey and Hennepin County Associations for Retarded Citizens. This is a conference for people with a developmental delay or mental retardation.Chief Bouza will speak from 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.

The conference will be held on April 20, 11:00 a.m. - 10 p.m. at the Anoka Area Vocational Technical Institute, 1355 W. Main St. Anoka, Minn. The conference fee is $10 which includes lunch and dinner, all speakers and workshops, and a live band for dancing.

For more information, contact the ARC of Hennepin County at [phone]. Registration must be made by April 12.

Family Education Series Offered

The Parent Services Program of the Association for Retarded Citizens of St. Paul is offering the following programs during April.

"Wills, Trusts and Guardianship" will be offered on Friday, April 12, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. John LeMay, a St. Paul attorney and Steve Scott, attorney with Legal Advocacy for the Developmentally

Family Education Series (Continued)

Disabled will be the speakers. A new booklet, "How to Provide for Their Future" will be sold at the meeting. Cost of the booklet is $2.

"Leaving Home" will be presented by John Buck, Ph.D., psychologist, Jan Huizenga, supervisor at Ramsey County Social Services, Lee Slagter, director at BeeDale, Inc., and a panel of parents who have recently placed a family member.

Both programs will be held at the Arlington Hills Presbyterian Church, 1275 E. Magnolia Av., St. Paul. The fee is $2 for each evening or ability to pay. To register, call the ARC office at [phone].

Nominations Requested for "Distinguished Parent"

The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) is requesting nominations for their "Distinguished Parent" award. To be eligible, parents must be the legal, natural or foster parents of children with severe disabilities and cannot be professionals in the field of special education. Furthermore, nominees should have made consistent efforts to assist their children in living full lives in their communites--efforts that have aff ected the lives of other children as well, on a local, regional, state or national level. Nominations must be received by May 27.

Forms may be requested from the TASH o ff ice at 7010 Roosevelt Way NE., Seattle, Wash. 98115.

Nominations called for by Association of Retarded Citizens Minnesota

The awards commitee of the Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota (ARC) is calling for nominations of individuals or organizations for awards recognizing services to persons with mental retardation.

ARC Awards (Continued)

The deadline for nominations is May 1 Awards will be presented at the ARC Minnesota state covention to be held August 16-18 in Duluth.

For more information contact ARC at [phone], or out-state toll-free, [phone].

Start-Up Loans Offered For New Waivered Services

The Association for Retarded Citizens of Hennepin (ARC) has approximately 532,500 available in low-interest loans for startup costs of new waivered services.

For details and application materials, call ARC Hennepin County at (612) 8746650.

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

April 20

The Sixth Annual Metro-Wide Consumer Conference will be held at the Anoka Area Vocational-Technical Institute from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Deadline for registration is April 12. For more information contact the Associatlon for Retarded Citizens in Hennepin County at [phone].

May 14, 15 and 16

The 15th Annual Spring Conference of the Association for Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM) will be at the Sheraton Park Place with the kickoff on May 14 from 7 -9 p.m. The theme for the conference is ~Issue: A Point of Debate or Controversy...Can We Talk?"

For a registration form and information on costs, contact ARRM at 1885 University Av., St. Paul, 55204. Tel. [phone].

-4

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmenbl Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
660 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota  66101

Minnesota State Planning Agency

Roger Strand 612/2964018
Editor

BUDGET CUTS PLUS fREEZE EQUAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS

On Feb. 4, 1985, President Reagan submitted his fiscal year 1986 budget request to Congress. The President seeks to cut, eliminate, or freeze programs in the areas of education, social security, housing, health, prevention, research, employment, rehabilitation and legal services, among others.

The Administration's proposals have been analyzed by the Consortium for Citizens with Oevelopmental Disabilities (CCDD), consisting of forty national agencies. The consortium report concluded that, "the President's budget is focused on reducing federal spending, often without regard to the effect such 'savings' will h~ve on the lives of persons with developmental disabilities."

Some of the President's proposals include the following:

--Vocational Rehabilitation: State grants would be frozen and discretionary programs cut by S17 million (including elimination of the Recreation program, Part A funding for Independent Living Services, and reduced funding for Projects with Industry, Evaluation and Training.

--Developmental Disabilities: The Basic Grants, Protection and Advocacy and University Affiliated Facilities programs would be frozen, while the Special Projects Program ($2.7 million in 1985, administered by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities) would be eliminated.

--Medicaid:- A S1.3 billion reduction is estimated for FY86 and transition to a capped program will be attempted through legislation that the Administration has announced it will introduce.

BUDGET CUTS (Continued)

--Education: P.L. 94-142 would be frozen and $11 million would be cut for personnel development in special education.

--Housing: There would be a two-year moratorium (no new funding) on Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Section 202 program as well as Section 8 assisted housing program.

--Employment: The Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) would be level. funded while the National Activities Pilots and Demonstration programs would be eliminated.

--Legal Services Corporation: This program would be eliminated-.

--Prevention and Research: The immunization program would be frozen. The National Institute of Health and the National Institute of Mental Health were targeted-for cuts of $287 million and $40 million, respectively.

--Health and Social Services: Funding for Title XX--Social Services, Preventive Health, Maternal and Child Health--and Alcohol, Drug and Abuse Mental- Health programs would be maintained at FY'85 levels.

Congress, through its "money" committees (i.e. Budget, Ways and Means, Finance and Appropriations) will be pursuing its budget process during the months ahead. An excellent summary of the President's proposed budget and the budget process is contained in ARC Government Report. Feb. 15, 1985.

Copies may be requested from: Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

STUDY OF PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM PROPOSED

"Minnesota has had a State Guardianship Program for persons with mental retardation since 1917. During the 1970s, there were as many as 15,000 persons who were 'wards of the state.' There are now approximately 7,000 mentally retarded people under public guardianship or conservatorship."

These observations were made by Kay Hendrikson during a recent interview. She is the newly appointed administrator of the State Guardianship Program in the Department of Human Services. "Minnesota, like several other states, is preparing for a thorough review of the guardianship program--how it might be improved and how we can better address the needs of clients," Hendrikson stated.

There is now a bill (S.F.545) before the Legislature that proposes to establish a task force to study public guardianship under M.S. 252A, The Mental Retardation Protection Act. Task force members would consist of representatives from counties, state agencies and councils, attorneys and advocates for elderly people and persons with mental retardation, chemical dependency and mental illness.

The proposed task force would collect information on the number of people and their place of residence, amount of staff resources available, duties of the case manager and the types of disabilities of people who are under public guardianship.

The bill also outlines certain areas for task force recommendations:
--The extent to which need for protective services are not being met;
--The feasibility and economic impact of extending public guardianship to persons with other disabilities;
--The success of protective service models used in other states;
--Methods to improve accountability and increase visits to persons under public guardianship; and
--The feasibility of alternatives to the present public guardianship system.

PUBLIC GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM (Continued)

"Some of our immediate plans and activities," continued Hendrikson, "are to listen to the county social service workers, define issues and problems, and to take action toward problem resolution."

In-service training sessions will be held this summer for case managers, and an operational manual or guide will be developed. A communication network is being established with other states who share similar interests. "I see my new role," concluded Hendrikson, "as listening, organizing and setting up administrative procedures that will facilitate and maximize client functioning. It will take a team effort on the part of the state office and the counties."

HELP SPREAD THE WORO ABOUT HEPATITIS B-IT CAN BE PREVENTED

A single sheet flyer is now available from the Assocaion for Retarded Citizens, National, entitled, "Facts about Hepatitis B," written by Linda Weber.

Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus. Each year, 200,000 new cases are reported. Less than half of these cases show symptoms such as jaundice, (yellowing of the skin), poor appetite, weight loss and dark urine. Twenty percent of the persons require hospitalization. One person in one thousand will die due to direct consequences of this disease.

People known to be at high risk of catching hepatitis B are immigrants, users of drugs (through injection), homosexuals, and institutionalized persons with mental retardation. Studies revealed that hepatitis B is found more frequently in congregate living situations, especially where conditions are crowded and unsanitary. for unknown reasons, people with Oown Syndrome are at higher risk of catching and of being carriers of hepatitis B.

-6

HEPATITIS (Continued)

It is important to know that hepatitis B can be prevented by means of several personal hygiene practicies and through use of a vaccine known as Heptavax-8. Guidance from a physician is strongly advised when planning a prevention program.

To learn more about how hepatitis is spread, detected, prevented, and how you can help educate others, contact: Association for Retarded Citizens, National Headquarters, 2501 Avenue J, Arlington, Texas 76006. Tel. [phone].

NATIONAL PROJECT TO FOSTER COMMUNITY INTEGRATION

The National Institute on Handicapped Research (NIHR) has awarded a threeyear contract to Syracuse University to provide technical assistance to states and communities on developing integrated community programs for people with the most severe disabilities. For further information, contact: Community Integration Project, Center on Human Policy, Syracuse University, 4E Huntington Hall, Syracuse, New York 13210. Tel. [phone].

BEHAVIOR ANALYST CERTIFICATE PROGRAM OFFERED

The University of Minneota is offering a series of courses that lead toward certification in "Behavior Analyst in Community Environments." Applicants should already hold a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in psychology, sociology, social work, nursing, or related disciplines. Applicants should also have a strong interest in working directly with children and adults who have disabilities. The deadline for admissions is May 31, 1985, (admissions taken only once a year). Contact: Extension Counseling Office, 314 Nolte Center, 315 Pillsbury Dr. SE., University ~f Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. Tel. [phone].

MODEL "BABY DOE" PROCEDURES TO BE DEVELOPED

The American Bar Association (ABA) has been awarded a grant from the Department of Health and Human Services to help states develop model procedures for child protective agencies. ABA staff is seeking information from states about existing procedures to protect disabled infants. Contact: Bruce Nicholson, ABA, 1800 M Street NW., Washington, DC 20036. Tel. [phone].

HUMAN SERYICE WORKSHOP SCHEDULED IN ROCHESTER

The University of Minnesota, Rochester Center, has announced the following workshops:

--April 4: Dealing with Anger in Modern Society: "Things are Squarely Unfair."

--April 10: Performance Appraisal and Interviewing.

--April 18. Working with Families in Transition.

--April 24: Maximizing Self-Respect and Encouragment in Self and Others.

--April 25: Developing Personnel Policies.

--May 8: Professional Risk Taking.

For further information, contact: Beryl Byman, Program Director, University of Minnesota, Rochester Center, 1200 S. Broadway, Rochester, Minn. 55904. Tel. [phone] or [phone].

EVENT

Apri1 24-26

"Model Programs and New Technologies for People with Disabilities: A National ConferenceU will be sponsored by the Young Adult Institute, to be held in New York City. Contact: Young Adult Institute, 460 West 34th St., New York, NY 10001. Tel. [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DO Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE BLUE SECTIDN OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. (61Z) 296-4018.

Action through Advocacy: A Manual for Training Volunteers, Texas Tech
Untversity, 1980. This manual provides a curriculum for training volunteer advocates who have direct relationships with people who have a developmental disability. Training of "citizen advocates~ covers knowledge about developmental disabilities, the advocate's role, attitudes, communication, assertiveness, and taking action for change. Curriculum flexibility allows the trainer to individualize the content and activities according to the needs and purpose of the advocacy program.

Family Cooperative Respite Demonstration Program: Parents as Respite Caregivers
(A Training Manual), United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc., Roosevelt, New York, 1985. This training manual was the result of a project funded by the Office of Human Development Services. The respite care project was designed to meet the following criteria: 1) flexible hours; 2) allow for short vacations; 3) take place in accessible, convenient locations; 4) little or no cost to families; and S) quality care and supervision of the person with a - disability. Training content includes: first aid, lifting, positioning, dressing, bathing, toileting, feeding, communication and programming for leisure time.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Addition to Curriculum Library

Liability Issues in Community-Based Programs, by Alan VanBierviiet and Jan Sheldon-Wildgen is a guide to legal liability issues facing persons who are developing, operating or monitoring community-based residential or day training agencies that serve physically or mentally impaired persons. However, the authors caution readers that if agencies are seeking legal advice or expert interpretation of the law, an attorney or other professional advocate should be consulted.

This book and other publications may be borrowed by Metropolitan Area residents for three weeks. They must be picked up and returned in person. Borrowers are liable for costs of materials if they are damaged or lost. Call 291-6363 for further information.

MISCELLANOUS

New Assistant Commissioner Named

William Niederloh has been named assistant commissioner for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DYR) by Commissioner Barbara Beehalter of the Department of Economic Security.

Niederloh has been acting assistant commissioner since September 1984.

Prior to that time he served as director of the DYR Client Services office. From 1969 to 1977, Niederloh was responsible for the DYR Rehabilitation Facilities Office.

May 1985
Vol 10. No. 5.

LAST 'CALL FOR PAPERS'

May 15 is the deadline for the Call for Papers/Presentations for the Minnesota Organizations's 1985 Joint Conference. The conference, which will be held in Bloomington on Oct. 24 and 25, has over 20 organizations as sponsors. It is anticipated that there will be a wide variety of topics included in the presentations, but with emphasis on cooperative activities between organizations and/or agencies. Copies of the Call for Papers/Presentations form can be obtained by calling the Metropolitan Council DD Program at [phone].

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Administrator Needed

Administrator needed for a 20-bed Intermediate Care Facility for adults with mental retardation. Person must be a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) and experienced in working with people with mental retardation.

Applicants must have supervisory skills and ability to work with the county and state human service agencies and have proven administrative abilities needed to develop new services and maintain current ones.

Salary $18-24,000. Phone or send resume to Susan Krueger, Personnel, Friendship Haven, Box 576, Sherburn, 56171. Tel. [phone].

Applications must be received by May 15.

Program Coordinator Needed

A program coordinator is needed for an eight-bed intermediate care facility serving persons with mental impairment or with mental retardation. A person with a degree, behavioral expertise and experience is preferred.

Send resume to Dan McNally, Rt. 2., Box 302B, Lindstrom, Minn. 55045, or call [phone]. Salary to be commensurate with experience.

RESOURCES

Directory Available

The 1985-86 "First Call for Help Directory of Community Services,U published by the United Way of Minneapolis Area, is now available. The new edition includes information on more than 700 Metropolitan Area agencies offering health, recreational, educational and social services.

The directories are S9, plus S1.25 postage and may be ordered from: first Call for Help, 404 S. 8th St., Minneapolis, MN 55404. Tel. [phone].

Foundation-Related Material Available at Local Libraries

For agencies interested in foundation giving, the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Rochester downtown public libraries and the Southwest State Library in Marshall house collections of foundation-related materials connected with the New York-based Foundation Center.

The Foundation Center is a national service organization established and supported by foundations. It provides a single, authoritative source of information on foundation-giving.

Brochures Available

Supervising Handicapped Employees and Working with Handicapped Employees are guides for supervisors and coworkers in worksites that include handicapped

Brochures (Continued)

employees. The two new companion brochures offer clear, concise guidance-not hard and fast rules--for dealing with concerns expressed by employers and coworkers. The brochures were designed by the Worksite Committee of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, which is engaged in ways to make the worksite accommodating to people with disabilities. Single copies of the brochure are available at no cost from: President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped, 1111 20th St. NW., Washington, DC 20036. Tel. [phone].

Pamphlet Outlines Safety Rules for Children with Disabilities

A pamphlet "Protect Your Disabled Child" has been published jointly by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Service and ACTION, the national volunteer agency. The pamphlet identifies safety rules that parents can teach their disabled children to promote prevention of abduction and exploitation. Copies of the brochure are available by contacting ACTION, Child Safety Program, Washington, DC 20525. Tel. [phone].

Cooperative Agreement Awarded for National Information Center

The National Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth (NICHCY) has been funded for the next three years through a cooperative agreement between Interstate Reseach Association, Rosslyn, VA and the Department of Education, Special Education Programs.

The National Information Center is a free information service that helps parents, educators, care-givers, advocates and others to improve the lives of children and youth with handicaps. It was established as part of The Education of the Handicapped

 National Information Center

(P.L. 94-142 as amended by P.L 98-199) to ensure that accurate, timely information is available to everyone in the country who requests it.

Successes should also be shared with NICHCY. When a project or program or new way of doing things proves especially effective, people should spread the good news. NICHCY collects this good news and shares it with others who are facing similar problems.

To be part of this network, write to NICHCY, P.O. Box 1942, Washington, DC 20013.

SERVICES

New Cleaning Service

"Grime Stoppers" is a cleaning service that employs only persons who are mentally retarded. The service was begun in January and Qffers services to homes, offices and apartments in the Metro Area. Services include threeperson teams which are contracted for at j25 per~hour for a three-hour minimum. The one-time cleaning rate is $30 per hour for a three-person team with a threehour minimum.

For more information, call Sandy at [phone], or Joan at [phone].

Free Screening Clinic Offered

Gillette Children's Hospital offers a free monthly screening clinic for children with possible bone, joint or muscle problems. The clinic is especially useful for parents or school personnel who suspect a child may have difficulty using his or her arms, legs or back.

The free orthopedic clinic is held the second Friday afternoon of each month. The next clinic is scheduled for May 10. Any young person through the age

Free Clinic (Continued)

of 21 who lives in the Twin Cities may make an appointment. To register, call Mary Conroy at (612) 291-28948, ext. 147.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

TRANSPORTATION FUNDS AVAILABLE

Under the provisions of Section 16(b) (2) of the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964, as amended, capital assistance grant funds are available to private, non-profit corporations and associations for the purchase of equipment and facilities for use in transporting handicapped and elderly persons. The primary objective of this Transportation Grant Program is to meet the special needs of elderly and handicapped persons for whom existing mass transportation services are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate.

No operating funds are available under this program. It has been the policy of the Minnesota Department of Transportation to use 16(b)(2) funds solely for the purchase of liftequipped vans and buses. Grants are made for replacement of vehicles, for expansion of current services, or for initiation of new services.

Applications are due by June 7, 1985. For additional information or to obtain an application, contact: Dennis McMann, 16(b)(2) Program Coordinator, Office of Transit, 815 Transportation Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55155; tel. t612) 2972067.

1985 Epilepsy Lecture Series

New opportunities for epilepsy education and support are offered through the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota's 1985 monthly lecture series. Professionals from the Metro Area have volunteered their expertise

-3-

Epilepsy Series (Continued)

on such topics as medical aspects, intimate relationships and communities resources.

"Medications--How do they work? Side Effects" will be offered on May 15, and "Psychosocial-Aspects of Epilepsy" on June 19.

Anyone is welcome to attend the lectures. Following the program, support groups will meet for persons with epilepsy, parents and other concerned people. There is no charge for the series, however, donations are accepted to help meet costs. The lectures begin at 7 p.m. with the support groups meeting at 8:15 p.m. They are held in the McKnight room of the Citizens Aid Building at 404 S. 8th Street in Minneapolis.

For more information, contact Jackie Ulrich with the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. Tel. [phone].

Community Living Awareness Week

The Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota announce the second annual art show which will high,lght Community Living Awareness Week. The art show is open to all developmentally disabled individuals residing in Minnesota. Art categories are painting, drawing and sculpture, and all works submitted must be original.

Entries will be accepted July 1 - 31st at 1885 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. The art show will be on display October 6 - 31, 1985.

For more information, call the ARRM office at [phone].

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Overnight Camping Offered

Camp Ozawizeniba for Children with Epilepsy will hold its third annual session from June 17-22. This is an overnight camp and is held at YMCA Camp Iduhapi, 22 miles west of Minneapolis.

It is Jointly sponsored by the Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, The Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota and Gillette Children's Hospital.

For further information, contact Vicki Florine at [phone], or call tollfree, 1 [phone].

Interpreted Performances Offered

May 5-- Chimera Theatre, St. Paul, 7 p.m. "Knock Knock", and
May 16- 8 p.m. "Amadeus,"
May 22- Childrens Theatre, Minneapolis, 10 a.m., "Penrod," and
May 31- 7:30 p.m. "Penrod."

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES

May 27-31

The American Association on Mental Deficiency ( MMD) announced its 109th Annual Meeting will be held at the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel in Philadephia. The meeting will offer special courses, debate groups, seminars, workshops, exhibits, poster sessions and a film theater. Plenary sessions will cover "Rights and Responsiblities in Mental Retardation" and ~Right to Prevention." A preliminary program, registration and housing forms are available from M MD, 1719 Kalorama Rd. N.W., Washington, DC 20009. Tel. [phone].

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul,  Minnesota  55101

May 1985

"PEOPLE ARE BETTER OFF" PENNHURST STUDY PROCLAIMS

Conclusions drawn from a five-year longitudinal study of people who have left the Pennhurst State School and Hospital (Pennsylvania) revealed:

--"We have found, by every scientific design and test available, that people who have gone to community living arrangements (CLAs) are better off."

--"They have made more progress than similar people still at Pennhurst, and more than they themselves made during their prior time at Pennhurst." (The average length of residency at Pennhurst was 24 years.)

--"These people have become better able to do things for themselves, rather than having things done for them."

--"We also found that the people who seem to make the greatest gain in adaptive behavior tend to be those who start out the lowest. That is, the people with the most severe impairments turn out to be among those who benefit the most from community placement."

These and many other observations are included in a comprehensive report entitled The Pennhurst Longitudinal Study: Combinea Report of Five Years of Research and Analysis. The study was conducted as a collaborative effort by the Temple University Developmental Disabilities Center in Philadelphia and Human Research Institute in Boston. It was supported by the Oepartment of Health and Human Services.

Pennhurst Study "Continued)

It was in 1977 when U.S. District Court Judge Raymond Broderick issued his opinion in the Halderman v. Pennhurst State School and Hos?ital case. Not only did he rule Pennhurst to be incapable of providing constitutionally appropriate care and habilitation, but that people should be provided services in less restrictive settings in the community. "This decision has been considered by many as the most far-reaching legal event in the field of mental disabilities to date," the authors of tne study observed.

One purpose of the Lonqitudinal Study was to explore the use of class act~on litigation as a tool for the reordering of services to persons with mental retardation. A second purpose was to assess the implementation of an extensive deinstitutionalization activity. The researchers observed the process to be much "like time-lapse photography--the litigation exposed the change process to see both the strengths and weaknesses of community-based care in strong relief."

The "Executive Summary" report contains recommendations worthy of very careful study. They address: funding and fiscal policy; the design and administration of community service systems; capacity building; and the role of the courts.

Copies of the Longitudinal Study report and Executive Summary may be obtained postpaid at $15 per copy, check payable to Temple University, Oevelopmental Disabilities Center, 9th floor, Ritter Hall Annex, Philadelphia, Penn. 19122. Attention: Kathy Ann Baus.

-5-



 SENATOR CHAFEE INTRODUCES COMMUNITY AND
FAMILY LIVING AMENDMENTS OF 1985

On April 3, Sen. John H. Chafee confining his efforts for Medicaid reform, called for a policy change at the federal level that "is long overdue.8 He introduced a modified version of his proposed amendments of 1983 (S. 2053), which had caused considerable controversy and debate.

The current proposal, Community and Family Living Amendments of 1985 (S.873), is a bill to amend Title XIX of the Social Security Act to assist severely disabled individuals to attain or maintain their maximum potential for independence and capacity to participate in community and family life. In short, as Senator Chafee described, "This legislation is an attempt to encourage all states to move in the direction of allowing individuals with developmental d~sabilities to live in the community, eitner at home, on their own, or in a group home.

Major provisions of the bill include:

--A narrower definition of "a severely disabled individual," which would also include children and youths below age 21 with a primary diagnosis of mental illness;
--A target date of the year 2000 for states to phase down institutions and create community-based service systems;
--A grandfather clause that would include facilities of up to 15 beds and "cluster homes" (three homes which are adjacent to one another);
--An allowance for states to spend 15 percent of Medicaid dollars to provide services to severely disabled individuals in facilities with over 15 beds, with the federal match being reduced by four percent per year for no more than ten years; and
--Three mandated services: 1) protective intervention, 2) case management, and 3) individualIfamily support services (which would include non-medical personal assistance and respite care).

Senator Chafee (Continued)

The National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils, which participated in the formulation of this bill, recently released a memorandum to the states encouraging people to express their views in writing to their state senators about this proposed legislation.

Copies of the "Short Summary. of this bill may be obtained from: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

U.S. SENATE HOLDS HEARINGS ON CONDITIONS IN INSTITUTIONS

Standards of care and treatment for mentally ill and mentally retarded residents of state institutions were under review in Senate hearings held April 1, 2 and 3. The hearings were a culmination of a six-month investigation by the staff of Sen. Lowell Weicker, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped.

Sen. Weicker opened the hearings by releasing a 250-page report detailing the investigation's findings. Resulting from inspections of 31 facilities in 12 states, over 600 interviews and analysis of dozens of documents and reports, the staff report concluded that residents of many institutions live in "a climate of intimidation~ in facilities which Ufail to maintain decent living conditions." The report also concluded that both the Department of Justice and Human Services fail to monitor conditions adequately in institutions and ensure that residents' rights are protected.

In calling for reform, Sen. Weicker said he would shortly be introducing legislation to establish a Bill of Rights and a Protection and Advocacy System for mentally ill persons as well as an independent certification and monitoring system for institutions that serve mentally disabled people.

-6-

Senate Hearinqs (Continued)

Reports of the subcommittee's staff investigation are available from: U.S. Senate Subcommittee on the Handicapped, 113 Hart Senate Office Bldg., Washington, OC 20510.

DD COUNCIL SEEKS TESTIMONY IN PUBLIC
MEETINGS SCHEDULED IN JUNE

In preparation for its Three-Year State Plan, the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities is seeking public participation in 12 meetings that will be held throughout the state in June. The State Plan will describe the current status of services for persons with developmental disabilities. It will state objectives to be achieved during a three-year period from 1986 to 1989. The Plan will describe how over $400,000 per year of federal funds will be used for grants in one of the following four priority areas: 1) alternative community living services, 2) employment-related activities; 3) child development services and 4) case management services.

All interested individuals and agency representatives are welcome to give ~estimony or submit letters addressing needs for one or more of the above priority areas. Testimony should be limited to three minutes, and a written copy should be made available.

All public meetings will be held from 2 - 4 p.m. at the following locations:

--June 4, Willmar, Community College,
Campus Center, Blue Room;
--June 5, Slayton, Court House, Meeting
Room;
--June 6, St. Cloud, St. Cloud State
University, Atwood Memorial Center,
Civic/Penney Room;
--June 12, Mankato, Mankato State
University, Wiecking Bldg., Rm. 356;
--June 17, Hibbing, Hibbing Community
College, Fine Arts Bldg., Room F, A.208;
--June 18, Brainerd, Brainerd Community
College, Bldg. One, Room 147;
--June 18, Fergus Falls, Fergus Falls
Community College, Administration
Bldg., Room A-303;

Public Meetinqs (Continued)

--June 19, Crookston, University of
Minnesota - Crookston, Dowell Hall,
Rm. 128;
--June 20, Bemidai, BemidJi State
University, Bangsberg Bldg., Rm. 118;
--June 24, Rochester, United Way
Conference Center, 903 W. Center St.,
Conference Rooms A and B;
--June 25, Duluth, Ordean Bldg.,
Conference Rooms A and B; and
--June 27, St. Paul Capitol Square Bldg.,
550 Cedar St., Conference Rooms A and B.

For more information or to submit letters, write or call: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Attn: Ron Kaliszewski. Tel. [phone].

PATHFINDER NEWSLETTER INITIATED

Quarterly news about the networking of serYices for youth with chronic health conditions is a free subscription service being offered by Pathf,nder in St. Paul. This is a cooperative effort of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Gillette Children's Hospital and the International Oiabetes center. Pathfinder has recently assisted the department of Human Services in making application for Medicaid home and community-based waivered services for chronically ill children. For more information and for subscription to Pathfinder Progress, contact: Georgianna Larson, Director, Pathfinder, 200 E University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

EVENT

May 2, 3

"Issues in Mental Retardation: Toward Healthy Sexuality" is the theme of the 12th Annual Conference on Issues for Mentally Retarded Persons. It will be held at the Earle Brown Continuing Education Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus. Fee: 590. Contact: Neil Tift or Debbie Wolfangel at [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD Program Office has acquire. i several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BOf tROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE BLUE SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. (6i2) 296-4018.

A guidebook for Parents of Children with Emotional Disorders. PACER, Inc., 1984. As the title of this booklet indicates, this is a resource which leads to other sources of information for parents who have (or suspect that they may have) a child with an emotional disorder. In understandable language it explains much about emotional problems and provides information on where to go to get help and services. Suggestions for further reading are made following each section.

Metropolitan Council DD Program
300 Metro Squam Builting
7th and Robert Sts.
St. Paul, MN 55101

If you no longer wish bt mceive this newslet~er, please call [phone], or write to the DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, MN 55101.

Implementing Learninq in the Least Restrictive Environment: Handicapped Children in the Mainstream, J. W. Schifani, R. M. Anderson and S. J. Odle (Eds.) University Park Press, 1980. This book is intended to orient students and experienced practitioners to the changing philosophical and programmatic considerations pervasive in today's public schools. Three sections address: Part I, the least restrictive environment; Part II, fundamental strategies for instruction; and Part III, resources and support systems. In its conclusions, three authors take divergent points of view on the efficacy of mainstreaming approaches.

Bulk Rate
U.5. Postage
PAID
St. Paul, Minn.
Permit No. 7029

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Bui
St. Paul, Minnesota 55
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

The Information Exchange has a new lookl Consistent with the Metropolitan Council's policy on conservation of natural resources, all paper used by the Council must be recyclable. Therefore, the familiar buff and blue newsletter has been changed to white. We urge you to do your part and recycle this newsletter when you have finished with it.

Addition to Curriculum Library

The Community Health Education Network (CHEN), a program of the Association for Retarded Citizens Minne~ota, has issued a directory of new resource materials. The CHEN office has materials on, and is available for consultation and referral in several areas, including alcohol usage epilepsy, general health information, hospitalization, medical issues, medical alert devices, nutrition, parenting, travel resources and weight reduction. copy of the directory is available at DD curriculum library of the Metropolitan Council.

YOUR ATTENTION is directed to the announcement on page five (state supplement section). A public meeting for the Metro Area will be held on June 27, 1985 at the Capitol Square    Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, in conference rooms A and B. The meeting is convened by the Minnesota Governor's Planning Council on Developmental  Disabilities to hear recommendations  regarding selection of the priority area for the State DD Three-Year Plan * which begins Oct. 1, 1986.


Vol. 10. No. 6
June 1985

ARTS ACCESS PROGRAM

The American Express Corporation is sponsoring Arts Access, Inc., a program to make the arts more accessible to people who tor social, economic or physical reasons have not been able to attend art events or acquire art materials such as books and records. The Metropolitan Council's Arts Program and Developmental Disabilities Program will a~sist in Arts Access, Inc. by distributing tickets and art products from 40 Metro Area art organizations. The cost of tickets and art products will be paid for by the American Express Corporation.

The Metropolitan Council has prepared a list of events and art products for organizations serving persons with handicaps and tor parents and their disabled child. For more information, call Maria Thompson, Arts Program, Metropolitan Council at [phone].

Note: Not all locations for art events are physically accessible.

CORRECTED INFORMATION

The March 1985 issue of this newsletter contained an article regarding authorization for the Secondary Vocational Education Section to hold a hearing on a proposed rule that would require each Minnesota district to offer 560 hour~ of vocational education classes per school year. The article, based on inSormation from another organization's publication, said that "currently school districts may (but are not required to) offer vocational education. n Lawrence Ringer, attorney with Legal Advocacy tor Developmentally Disabled Persons in Minesota, sent a letter to this office in April pointing out that the statement was in error.

Correction (Continued)

In checking with the author of the original newa article, she m~intained that such services wore required only when they are offered to nonhandicapped pupill.

It took over a month to obtain the most recent copy of the regulations ot PL 94-142. In Section 300:14 the term "spocial educationn lists as an inclusion, among other services, "...vocational education it it consists of apecially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent, to meet the unique needs of the child."  Vocational education is then defined as "...organized educational programs which are directly related to the preparation of individuals for paid or unpaid employment, or for additional preparation for a career requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree."  Thus, vocational education is a mandated service.

Three further points should be noted: 1) The need for a vocational program must be written into the student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP): 2) The need should be based on an individual assessment, provided or obtained by a school district. 3) The assessment instrument used must acurately test the student's ability to work, that is. it must be valid n

Needless to say, use of a severely handicapped student's I.Q. score or past achievements should never be the sole standards to Judge the individual's need tor a vocational program. Nor should traditional vocational assessment instruments be used since they attempt to measure vocational "potential" and were actually developed tor more mildly handicapped individuals.

In the opinion of some leading professionals, such traditional evaluations do not accurately predict Job performance/ success nor can they prescribe the specific elements of an appropriate vocational curriculum for severely handicapped persons. These professionals resolve the dilemma of what should be done by proposing that vocational training should be listed as a need for most, it not all, severely handicapped students. They further propose that, to be valid,

Correction (Continued)

vocational evaluations should take place in actual community Job sites which only a few school districts are doing.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Training Assistants Wanted

Be a part ot a new innovative vocational training program! Train and supervise persons with developmental disabilities who work in small work crews or at Job stations in industry. The minimum qualification is a twoyear degree or equivalent experience. Must acquire Class B license. Salary commenaurate with experience and education.

Send resume to Raposia Developmental Learning Center, 179 E. Robie St., St. Paul, MN 55107

Job Coaches Needed

Persons interested in becoming paid Job coaches for the Metropolitan Council's developmental disability Community Work Training ProJect are invited to call Terrence Kayser at [phone]. Irregular hours; $4.75 - $6 per hour.

PUBLICATIONS

Legal Rights Handbook Available

The Epilepsy Foundation of Amerlca (EFA) has published a new, updated and expanded version of its Legal Rights Handbook.

The handbook, which is written in easy-tounderstand language, provides an overview of all the mayor lega' issues involving epilopsy, a description of the federal ;awa protecting the rights of people with epilepsy, and a guide to laws of each state.

The handbook, which is designed for use by people with epilepsy, affiliates, lawyers and other advocates, is printed in looseleaf, three ring notebook form for easy reproduction and updating.

An abridged version oontaining information on federal laws and the overview of legal issues, but omitting the state-by-state guide has also been printed. This version

-2-

Handbook (Continued)

will be of interest primarily to lay people.

The complete version of the Legal Rights Handbook will be distributed to all EFA affiliates, to state attorneys general, protection and advocacy agencies and to other interested persons.

Copies of the abridged Legal Rights Handbook are free on request, along with a copy of the state laws in the requestor's home state.

To obtain a copy of either version of the Legal Rights Handbook, write Legal Advocacy Department, Epilepsy Foundation of America, 4351 Garden City Dr., Landover, Md 20785.

Fashions for Special Needs

If you need to make, adapt or purchase clothing for a disabled person with limited motion, excellent help can be found in the following publications:

--Clothes to Fit your Needs. PN570. Send 45 cents to Publications Distribution Centar, Printing and Publication Bldg., Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011.

--Sears Health Care Specialog. Available free at any Sears store or by mail for $1 from Sears, Roebuck and Co., Dept. 139H, 925 S. Homan Av., Chicago, Ill. 60607.

--Pirca Fashions Catalog. Send $1 to Pirca Fashions, 901 3rd Av., Sacramento, Calit. 95818.

--Dressing with Pride. A free brochure describing services oúfered by PRIDE Foundation. Also available i9 a 116page book ($11 including postage) that gives step-by-step details on making or modifying clothes for people with problems ranging from dressing over a back brace to making sure a garment doesn't catch in the spokes of a wheelchair. For either the brochure or book, write PRIDE, Dept. GH. 1159 Poquonnock Rd. Groton, Conn. 06340.

SERVICES

The Information and Referral Service of Gillette Children's Hospital can provide information on all disabilities re residential respite, diagnosis and evaluation, early intervention and support group services.

For more intcrmation, contact Jennifer Otto, Gillette Children's Hospital, 200 E. University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Computer Helps Children with Handicaps

Computers offer special educational challenges as well as opportunities for youngsters with physical impairments. To find out more about meeting their unique needs, a new resource guide has been produced, originally compiled as a special project of the U.S. Department of Education Special Education Programs Office.

The guide includes sections on educational computer basics, less expensive hand-held electronic learning devices and listings of special periodicals, software vendors, associations, manufacturers and other resources tor persons with handicaps.

For a copy of the guide, send $2 to JWK Internatlonal Corp., 7617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Work Incentives for SSI Recipients

Section 1619 (a) and (b) of the Social Security Act was extended through June 30, 1987. Section 1619 allows severely disabled SSI eligible persons whose earnings exceed "Substantial Gainúul Activity" (SGA), currently set at $300 per month, to continue to receive Medicaid benefits. In the past, if a severely disabled person's earnings exceeded $300 per month, or if they worked nine months out of any 24, they would have lost their benefits and would have been unable to obtain medical care. With Section 1619, the SSI payments will be reduced according to a person's earnings and the person may continue to receive medical assistance depending on their need and use of MA services.

SSI (Continued)

The Social Security Administration office (SSA) can determine that peraons with extraordinary medical costs, such as attendant care, may earn even more without losing medical asaistance.

It you have further questions, please call the SSSA office at (612) 3781151 or, outstate, toll free [phone].

MISCELLANEOUS

"Breaking Away" Film Available

A one-hour nlm entitled Breaking Away may be borrowed from Legal Advocacy tor persons with developmental disabilities. This documentary rilm illustrates the mayor isaues surrounding the transition rrom an lostltution to living ln the community. The film contrasts restrictive vs. less restrictive settings by sharing actual lite experiences Or a child with severe handicaps and his family over several years' duration. There ls a $25 rental fee plus UPS shipping charges.

For further information, contact Betsy Rnoche, Legal Advocacy Office, 222 Grain Exchange Bldg., 323 4th Av. S. Minneapolis, MN 55415. Tel. t612) 3380968 or toll rree, [phone].

"The Skin of Our Teeth" at the Ordway

Balancing Act Productions is a theatre company composed of ditterently abled and able-bodied performers. The company is creating a theatrical revolution by challenging the idea that only able-bodied actors belong on state.

This company will present Thornton Wilder's "The Skin of Our Teeth", June 27-30 at the Ordway Studio Theatre in St. Paul. Curtain is at 8 p.m. on June 27-29 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday June 30. Tickets are $5.50 - $8.50 and can be obtained by calling Tlckets to Go at [phone]. All performances will be signed ror the hearing impaired.

Deadline Approaches for Architectural Modifications under Human Rights Act

Amendments to the Minnesota Human Rlghts Act that affect the lives Or disabled Minnesotans relate to public services that are offered by governmental agencies or others operating on the government's behalf at the state or local level.

These amendments require a public service to ensure physical and program access to qualified disabled people unless provldlng that access would impose an undue hardship on lts operation. Although the basic provisions of the law became eftectlve Dec. 7, 1983, an extension was allowed to June, 1985, ir architectural modifications were needed.

Thererore, as of June 7, 1985, public services must provide physical and program access even whero architectural modi~lcations were needed to provide these services.

Sign Language Classes Offered

St. Paul Technical Vocatlonal Instltute ls ottering a variety ot courses ror parents, protesalonals and others who work with persons who are hearlng-impalred. For a complete list of classes oitered, contact: The Interpreter Training Department, St. Paul Vocatlonal Technical Instltute, 235 Marshall Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55102. [phone].

Interpreted Swimming Lessons Offered

The Metropolitan Association tor HearingImpaired Persons is seeking persons interested in interpreted swimming lessons which will start next fall. The Bloomington Community Education Department is interested in offerirg this service if enough people are interested. The lessons will be given at 89th and Portland Av. S. ln Bloomington.

For more information, call Hillary Wllllams [phone] or Mary Harms [phone].

-4-

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitoi Squ~e Building
560 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

Minnesota State Planning Agency
Roger Strand 612/298-1018
Editor


NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DISABILITIES TOPIC OF JUNE PUBLIC MEETINGS

In preparation for lts Three-Year State Plan, the Governor's Planolng Councll on - Developmental Dlsabillties is seeking public participation ln 12 meetings that will be held throughout the state in June. The State Plan will describe the current status of services for persons with developmental disabilities and will state obJectives to be achieved during a three-year period from 1986 to 1989. The Plan will describe how over $400,000 per year of federal funds will be used for grants in one of the following four priority areas: 1) alternative community livlog services, 2) employment-related activities, 3) child development services, and 4) case management services.

All intereited individuals and agency representatives are welcome to give testimony or submit letters addressing needs for one or more of the above priority areas. Testimony should be limited to three minutes, and a written copy should be made available.

All public meetings will be from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the following locations:

--June 4, Willmar, Community College,
Campus Center, Blue Room;
--June 5, Slayton, Court House, Meeting
Room;
--June 6, St. Cloud, St. Cloud State
University, Atwood Memorial Center,
Civic/Penney Room;
--June 12, Mankato, Mankato State
University, Wiecking Bldg., Room 356;
~June 17, Hibbing, Hibbing Community
College, Fine Arts Bldg., Room F. A208;
--June 18, Brainerd, Brainerd Community
College, Bldg. One, Room 147;
--June 18, Fergus Falls, Fergus Falls
Community College, Administration
Bldg., Room A-303;
--June 19, Crookston, Univ. of Minnesota
Crookston, Dowell Hall, Rm. 128;

MEETINGS

--June 20, Bemidji, Bemidji State University
--June 24, Rochester, United Way Conference Center, 903 W. Center St., Conference Rooms A and B;
--June 25, Duluth, Ordean Bldg., Conterence Rooms A and B; and
--June 27, St. Paul, Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St. Conf. Rooms A and B.

For more information or to submit letters, write or call: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, MN 5510t. Attn: Ron Raliszewski. Tel. [phone]. TDD: [phone].

NURSING HOME PLACEMENTS AYERTED FOR MANY
MINNESOTA ELDERLY PERSONS

The following information on nursing home placements and costs is relevant in light of recent legislative attempts to repeal a similar law permitting less restrictive alternatives for persons who are mentally retarded.

In the first quarter of 7982, 63 percent of elderly persons screened were placed in nursing homes and only 37 percent were placed in the community. Between April and June 1984, however, these figures were reversed. Only 35 percent were placed in nursing homes, while 65 percent remained in the community.

These findings were recently disclosed in a report entitled The PreAdmission Screening and Alternative Care Grant Programs: A Description and Analysis of Minnesota's Experience, by Health Futures Institute, submitted to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (Dec. 1984).

-5-


MINNESOTA ELDERLY PERSONS (Continued)

The program is divided into two components: Pre-Admission Screening and Alternative Care Orants. Starting as a pilot program in two counties ln 1980, the pre-admisslon screening proBram was [lnally made mandatory in all counties by July 1, 1983. Minnesota Statute requires all elderly applicants to nursing homes (age 65 and over) who aro eligible tor Medicaid, or will be eligible within 180 days if they enter a nursing home, be screened by the county's Pre-Admlssion Screening Program.

The Alternative Care Grant Program can tuna services for screened individuals which will allow them to be maintained at home rather than enter a nursing home. The services allowed by the program include: adult day care, homemaker, home health aide, adult toster care, respite care, case management, and personal care.

Between Jan. 1982 and June 1984, 7,541 clients were screened. 0t this number, approximately 58 percent ~ 4,394 clients) were recommended for community placement. Increased numbers o, home placements have been attributed by screeners to an increase in availability of alternative services, unavailability ot nursing home beds, and an increased awareness by elderly persons ot their options. "They are more adamant about continuing to live at home," the report stated.

Although precise cost savings cannot yet be determined due to insufficient data, some estimates were provided ln the report. In fiscal year 1984, the state spent $ 3,394,526 maintaining 2,601 clienta in the community with Alternative Caro Grant services. It these 2,601 ludividuals had all gone into nursing homes, the total nursing home costs would have been $17,848,452. The state share Or those costs would have been between 42.4 million and $9.1 million, depending upon how soon people became eligible tor Medicaid.

For further Intormation and for copies of this report, contact: Barbara Colliander, Long Term Care Management, Department ot Human Services, Space Center Bldg., 1st floor, 444 Latayette Rd., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

POSTAL SERVICES ISSUES FINAL ACCESSIBILITY RULES

The final rules governing the U.S. Poatal Service's policies and procedures concerning handicapped persons were published ln the April 10, 1985 Federal Register (39 CFR Part 255). Tho rule statos that discrimination against handicapped persons is prohibited: "no otherwise qualified handicapped individual shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benetita of, or be sub~octed to discrimination under, any program or activity operated by the Postal Servlce, or in employment."

The term "handicapped" was defined as "a person who has a record of, or is regarded as having, a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person's life activities."

The rule provides administrative procedures which handicapped persons may follow when they have a complaint or inquiry about or seek changea in postal practices, policies or procedures. It also guides employees in responding to complaints or inquiries by persons with a handicap.

Physical access requirments were also stated in the regulation: "It ia the Postal Service policy to comply fully with the physical access requirements of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 as amended. Pursuant to the Act, the Postal SerYiOe designs, constructs and alters its [acilitias in accordance with its published atandards for access to postal facilities. n Theae standards are contained in Handbook RE-4, Standards for Facility Accessibility by the Physically Handicapped." Single copies of the handbook may be obtained free of charge from: Real Estate and Bulldlogs Department, U.S. Postal Service Headquarters, Washington, D.C. 20260-6400.

TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD ADDRESSED IN MASSACHUSETTS

Under legislation passed in Dec. 1983, a bureau of transition services was set up in Massachusetts to help disabled young

Transition (Continued)

adults make the necessary move from schoolbased assistance to 90C] al service programs. Considered to be the first of its kind in the nation, this program has served 150 individuals since Oct. 1984. "Referrals for service are now arriving at the rate of 20 per day," said Mary Lou M:aloney of the state human services ottice.

"Before this transition service was provided," reflected Maloney, "parents whose handicapped children left high school had a tremendous burden in finding an entry point to the human service system. They had to be extremely sophisticated." Currently, through the assistance of interagency advisory committees for each student, transitional service plans are initiated two years before graduation from school and appropriate human service agencies are alerted to impending transfers. "The process has made the transition into adulthood easier on everybody concerned,"  commented Maloney. "People are excited about the program,"  Maloney concluded, "and this new program has energized the government in the way it serves people with disabilities."

For more information, contact: Mary Lou Maloney, Executive Office of Human Services, 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108.

RISE INC. TO DEMONSTRATE TRANSITIONAL
EMPLOYMENT UNDER MENNINGER GRANT

As part of a three-year grant from the Office of Special education and Rehabilitation Services Administration, the Menrlnger Foundation o~ Topeka, Ransas, has selected Rise, Inc. in Spring Lake Park, as a site to expand a national demonst.ation proJect called Transitional Empioyment Program (TEP). The Menninger model develops a partnership between business and rehabilitation that is responsive to the needs of both the employer and trainee with a disability. RISE will develop and operate an on-site training and work placement service for persons with disabilities at the Holiday Inn in Brooklyn Center.

Employment (Continued)

T'EP trainees are considered Holiday Inn employees and are paid at least mirimum wage. Holitay Irn stats help supervise the trainees and give valuable feedback about the trainees' performance and progress.

Beverly Larson, the dining room supervisor at the Holiday Inn, commented that she instructs her stat! "that the trainees will be only as good as we help them to be. n She added, "I also want my staff to make sure the trainees fit in socially and are part of the 'family' here."

Atter an average training period of 20 weeks when the trainees are considered Job-ready, they are referred to Rise's Job placement counselors who assist them in finding suitable employment. Once employment has been tound, follow-up services are provided to help assure the individual remains successfully employed.

For more information, write or call Barb Byars, Vocational Services Coordinator, Ri~e, Inc., 8406 NE Sunset Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55432. Tel; [phone].

EVENTS

June 14

"The Regulation of Services is Residential Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation: There's Got to Be a Better Way" is the title of a conference to be held at the Sheraton Midway Hotel in St. Paul. It is sponsored by the Developmental Services Organization (DSO) and the Association of Re~idences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM). Fee $35, which includes lunch. Contact: ARRM, 1885 University Av., St. Paul, MN 55105. Tel. [phone].

July 9-12

"Achieving a Balance: A Conference on Achieving Positive Lifestyles for Persons of Varying Abilities" will focus on a variety of aspects that encompass wellness--"how to" information. Sessions will be held at the Radisson South Hotel, Normandale Community College and the Vinland Center. Contact: Vinland National center, 3670 Iduhapi Rd., Loretto, MN 55367. Tel. [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilitiea (DD) Program Ottice has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY.  LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SUPPLEMENT SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. [phone].

Developmental Training Homes: A Resource Book,  L. Wray, Office of Court Monitor, 1983. This is a compilation oS materials on spocial needs foster care, mostly originating from the state of Michigan. The intent is to assist individuals and organizations in looking at optiona other than group homea Sor meeting the residential needs of children with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities, who, for whatever reason, are not able to remain with their families. Content includes ideology, recruitment, training and monitoring as related to the provision of foster care services.

Competitive Employment: New Horizons For Severely Disabled Individuals, P. Nehman, Paul H. Brooks, 1981. This book addresses the problems that young adults with severe disabilities usually face upon graduation from school: unemployment, underemployment, and nonparticipation in community activities. The author maintains that, "It is clear that a primary barrier to community integration is not skill deficits, but the lack of sufficient integrated community vocational, residential, and opportunities and the absence of appropriate programs to train them in the skills necessary to gain access to those opportunities."

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St. Paul, Minn.
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INFORMATION EXCHANGE


Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On July 11 at 1:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Council Chambers, 300 Metro Square Building, Seventh and Robert Streets, St. Paul, the Metropolitan Council, Metropolitan Health Planning Board and Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee will Jointly sponsor a public hearing to receive comments on a proposed interim developmental disabilities policy plan for the Metropolitan Area.

The plan includes a description of a .odel service system for persons with developmental disabilities, a discussion of the required service capacity, recent federal and state~ guidelines and priorities, new assumptions about and expectations tor persons with developmental disabilities, and the implications of these factors for changes in the service system. The plan concludes with guidelines and criteria for developing a model service system in the Metro Area.

All interested people are encouraged to attend the hearing and offer comments. People may register in advance to speak at the hearing by calling Marjorie Segell at 291-6363. Questions on the interim policy plan should be directed to Toni Lippert at 291-6364. me public record will remain open until July 25, 1985 to receive written comments for those not able to speak at the public hearlog.

A copy of the plan has been sent to ~rganizations and public agencies on the information Exchange mailing list. If you or your agency have not received a copy and wish to testify, a copy may be obtained by calling [phone].

Vol. 10. No. 7
July 1985

Council Now Has TDD Telephone Number

People with hearing impairments can now call the Metropolitan Council using a telecommunication device for the deaf. The Council s TDD number is 612) 291-0904. Intormation about Council programs and publications is available at that number.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Staff Needed for Home for Adults with Autism

Greenbrier Homes, Inc. is seeking a program coordinator and full-time instructors to staff a home for six adults with autism. Applicants should have experience working with individuals with autism. Send a resume and letter of intent to Patti Cullen, Greenbrier Home, Inc., 941 Birmingham, St. Paul, MN 55106. Deadline for applications is July 27.

Qualiried Mental Retardation Professional Needed

South Center Manor in Center City, Minnesota, is seeking a qualified mental retardation professional (QMBP) for a class A intermediate care facility for adults with mental retardation. A person with behavioral expertise is preferred. Salary commensurate with experience.

Applicants should call Lowell or Dan at South Center Manor at (612) 2571686, or write South Center Manor, Park Island, Center City, Minn. 55012.

ARTS ACCESS INFORMATION

Individuals, families and organizations who wish information on opportunities available under the Arts Access program may call Maria Thompson at [phone].

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

A volunteer with expertise in data entry, is noeded at the end of July to assist in processlog results of an employer survey sponaored by the United Handicapped Federation and other organizations. For further information, please write or call Martha Hage, UHF, 284S Griggs-Midway Bldg., 1821 University Av., St. Paul, HN 55104. Tel. [phone] or TTY [phone].

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Views on Supported Employment

Bill Niederloh, Assistant Commissioner - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) expressed his views on supported employment tor developmentally and other disabled individuals in a recent article published in the divisions newsletter, "Dialogue." Some excerpts follow:

"--An issue that is receiving increased attention from state vocational rehabilitation agencies across the country is supported employment. What is it and where does it fit in the vocational rehabilitation (VR) service delivery system?

--While there continues to be some debate over just exactly what supported employment is, there is a consensus that it has the following characteristics.

--The individual is engaged in paid employment, either full-or parttime;

--The individual requires ongoing support which is expected to endure throughout the period or employment and without which the employment would be impossible;

--The individual has opportunities tor social integration during the work day with persons without disabilities who are not paid caregivers.

--Research indicates that supported employment is an option that makes it possible for severely disabled individuals to participate in employment programs.

Supported Employment (Continued)

--It is my view that supported employment has become a mayor and valuable addition to the array of vocational rehabilitation services available to disabled individuals. The question is no longer whether or not supported employment works. There is ample evidence to show that it not only works, but works very effectively with a wide range of clients. The question really becomes how supported employment can be effectively merged into the entire VR service delivery system.

--An issue facing us is how to make the best use of VR case service dollars in conJunction with the long-term sheltered employment tunds tor the development of supported employment programs. This will require that rehabilitation {acilities and advocacy groups closely cooperate in a system of plarning. The Minnesota Association of Rehabilitation Facilities is involved in beginning efforts with the formation of a joint planning group.

--Minnesota is in an excellent position to be a national leader in developing a statewide system of supported employment as one element in the array of vocational rehabilitation services.

--This year will be a critical one tor us as we work with many other organizations in trying to make this potential a reality."

Supreme Court Ruling

The U.S. Supreme court has ruled unanimously that handicapped people are not victims of illegal discrimination when subsidized care is reduced, even though they are more severely arrected than other Medicaid reóipients. Ruling in a case from Tennessee, the high court said that laws banning bias against people with handicaps in programs receiving federal money only assured them ot equal access, not equal results. The decision is viewed by disability riShts advocates as a mayor setback, as it could stretch beyond Medicaid disputes and narrow the scope of the federal law prohibiting discrimination against handicapped people.

-2-

New Director of Client Services Named

Jim House has been appointed director of liens Services for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. He succeeds DVR Assistant Commissioner William Niederloh in the post. House is a current member of the Metropolitan Council's Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee.

PUBLICATIONS

Poster Series Offered

The National Adoption Exchange has reprinted its popular poster series, "Children Grow Better in Families." The four posters--featuring Hispanic, black native American and white "special needs" children--can be tailored to suit the needs of various groups and agencies by adding a gummed message in the border of the poster. The Exchange is offering 20 individual posters for $5, the cost of the mailing tube and the postage. To order, write the National Adoption Exchange, 1218 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107. Tel. [phone]. Please specify which oster or combination of posters needed.

Sears, Roebuck and Company has agreed that children waiting for adoption who are registered with the National Adoption Exchange, (NAE) may have their photographs taken at no charge at the studios located in Sears stores throughout the country. This service provided by Sears will enable the NAE to obtain good quality, attractive, reproducible photographs for use in photolisting books and other recruitment efforts.

Prenatal Care Information Offered

"You Make a Difference" is the theme of a public education campaign encouraging good prenatal care, developed by the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabllities Planning Council. The printed materials, including pamphlets for both teenagers and adults, a standard poster and a large rererence poster point out the ri~ks to unborn babies posed by alcohol, tobacco, nones~ential drugs and poor nutrition. Samples or supplies of the materials can be obtained by writing to the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, 10th floor, Press and Communications, 333 Market St., Harrisburg, Pa. 17126-03333.

Handbook Offered

Organizing Community Partnership Programs is a 30-page illustrated handbook that provides guidelines for community programs to expand the participation of persons with disabilities in American life. Topics include setting goals, developing media cooperation, working with government agencies, involving congressional representatives and avoiding "words that hurt." Single copies of the publication, in either printed or recorded versions, are available free of charge by writing to the National Organization on Disability, 2100 Pennsylvania Av. N.W., Suite 234, Washington, DC 20037.

MISCELLANEOUS

Research Priorities Announced

The Office of Special Education has announced its final biennial funding priorities for the Research in Education of the Handicapped program. A separate competition will be established for each of the following priorities: 1) Field Initiated Research; 2) Student Organization Options; 3) Program Organization Options; 4) Implementation Or Research; 5) Enhancing Instructional Program Options; 6) Special Population/Handicapped Projects; 7) Extant Data Base Projects; 8) Research Integration ProJects; 9) Increasing Teaching/Learning Efficiency; 10) Comparative Research Projects; 11) Standards and Criteria ProJects and; 12) Parent Research Projects.

For more information, contact Nancy Safer, Research Projects Branch, Division of Educational Services, Special Education Programs, Department of Education, 400 Maryland Av. SW., Rm. 3511-M/S 2313, Washington, DC 20202. Tel. [phone].

Information on Special Education Software

LINC Resources, Inc. has established a "Special Education Software Center," under the sponsorship of the Office of Special Education, Division of Education Services, which offers free information regarding special education software for microcomputers. Parents may call the Center for suggestions concerning appropriate software for their children

Special Education Software (Continued)

with specific handicapping conditions. They should call before making a hardware purchase to be sure that special education software is compatible with the hardware they buy. The Center does not evaluate the programs, but reports on what is available. Anyone developing software centers for schools and institutions may also wish to call tor information. Call toll free [phone].

RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Summer Day Camp

The 1985 Sunshine Connection, a summer day camp for autistically impaired and similarly developmentally disabled children and adults will bo in session for a total or 20 weekdays, commencing July 24 and ending August 20. Campers will be assigned to one of the two sessions, based on appropriate grouping, transportation scheduling and, where possible, individual preference. The program will be located at the park facilities of Armatage Neighborhood center, 57th and Russell Avenues S., Minneapolis.

Campers should be ambulatory, must not require that medication be administered during program hours, must live with their families and should be in level IV or V programming during the school year.

The fee to families will be $125 (including transportation). Limited camperships are available. For further information, call [phone] or [phone].

Nominations for Rose and Jay Phillips Awards

Area residents are invited to nominate physically disabled people who have been success~ully employed for at least three years a i who are financially independent for the Rose and Jay Phillips award. Employers and self-employed individuals with physical disabilities are also eligible tor the award.

Rose and Jay Phillips Award (Continued)

Anyone who knows a person who fulfills the above requirement is urged to nominate that person for the Phillips award. Deadline for nominations in July 15.

For information and nomination forms, write Phillips Awards, Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, MN 55422. Tel. [phone].

Free Brochure Describes Cochlear Implant

A bioelectronic ear, which helps provide hearing to people who are totally deaf, is described in a free brochure available from the 3M company.

The brochure explains how a cochlear implant provides sound to a damaged ear. In addition, the brochure tells who is most likely to benefit from using the device. A discussion of both the benefits and the limitations of the cochlear implant is included.

In addition to the brochure, 3M i3 offering a brief story on how one implant user utilizes the device.

For a free copy of the brochure and user story, write: Otologic Products/3M, department HS85-3, Box 33600, St. Paul, Minn. 55133-3600.

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES

Aug. 16-18

The annual convention of the Association tor Retarded Citizens (ARC) Minnesota will be held in Duluth at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Registration for the convention is $18 and dormitory rooms on campus are available at $20 single and $8 double per night (the lower rate is to encourage the use of double rooms).

More information is available through local ARC offices or through ARC/Minnesota at [phone].


INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

Minnesota Sbte Planning Agency

Roger Strand 612/296-4018
Editor


COURT MONITOR RECOMMENDS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

On May 8, 1985, Richard A. Cohen, Court Monitor for the Welech vs. Levine Consent Decree, recommended to United States District Court Judge, Harry H. McLaughlin, that the Department of Human Services develop a comprehensive plan of implementation. This recommendation was contained in the Monitor s Fifth Report to the Court.

"While progress has been made on a number of fronts," noted Cohen, "there are areas that continue to lag behind which have only been partially or not implemented at all.... "

Cohen stated in his report that the development and implementation of such a plan is essential at this stage of the proceeding for a number of compelling reasons:

--The nature of this large statesupervised (87) county-administered system clearly requires as comprehensive approach as possible, not only to offset but to address the tendency towards fragmentation in such a system;

--Such planning would help formulate and disseminate a clearer message from the state as to why and how persons with mental retardation should be served; and

--A comprehensive approach, if done adequately, should incorporate and foster cooperation among legislative and executive units of government, consumers, advocates, providers, union groups... "

Cohen then concluded, "A master plan with measurable bench marks has been

July 1, 1985

Comprehensive Plan (Continued)

informally suggested to Department officials over the past several months, and it is urged that the Department undertake such an initiative (or revise or update and operationalize a previous plan) with the intended goal of achieving substantial compliance with the terms of this Decree, both in the community and at state hospitals, by July 1, 1987, if at all possible. n

For more information and for purchasing copies of the report, contact: Court Monitor's Office, Legal Education Center, 40 N. Milton St., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

POLICY STUDY SUGGESTS WAYS TO EMPOWER FAMILIES

"Families of persons with developmental disabilities face a variety of dilemmas and choices regarding the care of their family member with disabilities. The majority of parents who have offspring with a developmental disability do not seek out-of-home placements. However, their choices and considerations are heavily influenced by public policy at the state and federal level. Unfortunately, such policy often discourages rather than encourages continued care in the family."

This observation was made in a study completed recently by the Human Research Institute of Boston and the National Association of State Mental Retardation Program Directors of Washington, D.C. entitled Family Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Growing Commitment, edited by J.M. Agosta and V.J. Bradley (1985).



 Empowering Families (Continued)

The study was based on information gathered from 50 states, literature review, and the preparation of five concept papers, and a working conference on family-based care.

The comprehensive review suggested that in addition to the direct care services required by the family members with disabilities, the fami ly also needs support services to enhance its caregiving capacity. The report concluded that at the core of any e Yective family support system must be a firm societal resolve to actively enóourage, rather than discourage, family care. "All aspects of the community -including the private sector--should be involved in promoting family care," the report stated.

Recommendations for future action included the following considerations:

1. Family support programs should:
-be designed to empower families and the person with developmental disabilities;
-provide families with multiple service options; and
-make greater use of cash programs, private sector resources, evolving technology, and existing resources and facilities.

2. Using tax policy to support families should be pursued with caution, given a potential bias in favor of upper income groups.

3. Devolopment of parent-led mutual help organizations that involve siblings and extended family membe should be encouraged.

4. Discussion should be encouraged between parents and professionals regarding unresolved conceptual issues.

5. A national study should be undertaken to identify the social and economic characteristics of families with members with developmental

Empowering Families (Continued)

disabilities and to estimate their number.

6. A study should be made of sociological and demographic trends related to the family's caregivlng capability;

7. Ongoing evaluations of family support programs should be made a high priority.

Copies of the report are available for $19 and the Executive Summary can be purchased for $2.50. Contact: Human Services Research Institute, Family Care Report, 120 Milk St., 8th floor, Boston, Mass. 02109,

PUBLICATIONS

Guidelines for Evaluating, Reviewing and Enhancing Employment-Related Services, National Association of Developmental Disabllities (NADDC) is a report on current practices on employment-related services for persons with developmental disabilities. It encourages cooperation, coordination and collaboration among agencies in the service system. Cost: $5 (book rate postage), or $~.50 (first class postage). Order from NADDC, 1234 Massachusetts Av. NW., Suite 103, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Used Equipment Marketplace: A Strategy for Cutting Equipment Costs, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, 1984. This manual is designed to help other agencies: develop a clearinghouse or exchange program on used equipment for persons with disabilities. The Used Equipment Referral Service was funded under a grant from the McRnight Foundation, administered by the Developmental Disabilities Program or the State Plannlng Agency. This project demonstrated considerable savings both in terms of consumer equipment dollars and operational costs. For further information, contact: United Cerebral  Palsy of Minnesota, Griggs-Hidway Bldg., S-233, 1821 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

-5-

Complete Guide to Employing Persons with Disabilities is a practical reference for managers implementing corporate equal opportunity programs. This 265-page manual addresses employer awareness, affirmative action principles established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and personnel policies and management. Included is an annotated biliography of print and audiovisual resources on employment of persons with disabilities. Cost, including shipping and handling is $12.20. Contact: Henry McCarthy, Human Resources Center, I. U. Willetts Rd., Albertson, N.Y. 11507.

Nutrition for Children with Special Needs, United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, Inc. 1985. This manual provides information on nutrition problems, feeding skill development, meal planning, resources and general nutrition education. It was produced as a result of ProJect E.A.T. (Education, Action, Training) for Health, funded by the McKnight Foundation and administered by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the State Planning Agency. The purpose of the project was to develop an awareness among parents, education/health care providers and food service personnel about the impact nutrition has on the physical, social and cognitive development of children with developmental disabilities and/or chronic illness. Cost $6 for agencies; $2.50 for parents. Contact: United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, Griggs-Midway Bldg., S-233, 1821 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

PASS TRAINING AVAILABLE IN AUGUST

The Association of Residences for the Rstarded in Minnesota tARRM) is sponsoring an Introductory Workshop on the Program Analysis of Service Systems (PASS) from August 23 through 28, 1985. PASS is an evaluation instrument used to examine the quality of human service programs. It also provides a means to explore the principle of normalization and how this principle applies to the planning and delivery of human services.

The workshop will be held at McGuires Inn, 1201 W. County Rd. E., St. Paul.

PASS Workshop (Continued)

For more information, contact: Jane Wells, ARRM, 1885 Univesity Av., Suite 90, St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

EVENTS

Aug. 16-18

"Facts, Fun and Friends: is the theme of the 1985 Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota State Convention to be held at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Dr. Jeff Strully will be the keynote speaker. Strully is the regional director for mental retardation services for Seven County Services, Inc., in Louisville, Kentucky. For further information, contact: ARC Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. [phone]).

FUTURE EVENTS

Oct. 4, 5

"Reaching Toward New Horizons: A Governor s Conference on Technology and Innovation in Living for Persons with Disabilities" will be held at the St. Paul Civic Center. The Governor s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities is one of the several co-sponsoring organizations of this event. For more information, contact: Carol Schoeneck, Government Training Service, 202 Minnesota Bldg., 46 E. 4th St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Nov. 1, 2

"Creating Quality for the Future: is the theme of the 17th annual state conference of the Minnesota Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities (MACLD). It will be held at the Thunderbird Motel in Bloomington, Minn. For further information, contact: MACLD, GriggsMidway Bldg., Suite 494-N, 1821 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Ofrice has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SUPPLEMENT SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. [phone].

Project Share Resource Kits:

Fundraising: This packet includes a guidebook on fundraising, lists of informational resources and publications, hints on how to write a proposal and ideas tor neighborhood projects.

Managing Volunteer Services: This kit contains a handbook for planning and evaluating a volunteer program. It also includes articles on recruitment, training, recognition, retention of volunteers, and where to go for assistance.

Metropolitan Council DD Program 300 Metro Square Building 7th and Robert Sts. St. Paul, MN 55101

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call [phone], or write to the DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square aldg., St. Paul, MN 55101.


A Training Manual for Surrogate Parents and An Administrator s Manual: Implementation of Minnesota s Surrogate Parent  Rules, Department of Education, 1984. These publications were developed under contract by PACER, Inc., of Minneapolis. Both documents serve as guides co administrators, educators, and volunteer surrogate parents on how to carry out the purpose of federal and stare laws and regulations which guarantee all handicapped children a free and appropriate education, especially those who do not have their own natutal parents available to safeguard their interests and to advocate on their behalf.

Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID

St. Paul, Minn.
Permit No. 7029


INFORMATION EXCHANGE


Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program ofthe Metropolitan
Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St.Paul,Minnesota55101
ToniLippert 291-6364
Terrence Kayser:291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Volunteers Needed for Regional Developmental Disabilities Committee

The Metropolitan Council is taking applications from Twin City Metropolitan Area residents interested in serving on its Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee.

The volunteer committee advises the Council on the needs of developmentally disabled people and helps coordinate planning to meet those needs.

The 25-member committee is made up of developmentally disabled people, their parents, service providers and the general public. Members serve three-year terms. There are eleven positions to be filled.

The committee usually meets the second Tuesday afternnon of every month. Members also serve on subcommittees. Members volunteer their time, but are reimbursed for travel and miscellaneous expenses.

For applications or for more information, call Sandi Lindstrom of the Council staff at 291-6390. Applications are due September 13.

Developmental disabilities refer to chronic and severe physical or mental handicaps that are manifested before age 22 and that substantially limit functions in three or more basic living activities.

Vol. 10. No. 8
August 1985

Job Coaches Needed

Persons interested in becoming paid job coaches for the Metropolitan Council's developmental disability Community Work/Training Project are invited to call Terrence Kayser at [phone]. Irregular hours; $4.75 $6 per hour.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Behavior Analysts Needed

Merrick Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) has several positions available in an exciting new program for innovative individuals. Behavior Analysts are needed to participate in the start-up, development and implementation of an intensive behavioral program for adults who are mentally retarded. Positions include:

--Behavioral Analyst I: Several positions open requiring a BA in behavioral modification, behavioral analysis, psychology, or special education and six months relevant experience.

--Behavior Analyst II: Several positions open requiring a BA in behavioral modification, behavioral analysis, psychology, or special education with two years experience working with severe behavior problems.

Competitive salaries with excellent benefits including health, dental and life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave.


l

Fitness Clinic (Continued)

The clinic is sponsored by Courage Center, the National Handicapped Sports and Recreation Association, Bristol-Myers and Eastern Airlines.

Deadline for registration is September 13. For information and registration materials, contact Karyl Hoeger, - Department of Sports, Physical Educati-on and Recreation, Courage Center, 3Y15 Golden Yalley Rd., 60lden Yalley, Minn. 55422. Tel. [phone], ext. 199.

WALK AND ROLL RALLY

The Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped is sponsoring a Walk and Roll Rally to kick off the Governor's Conference on Disability to be held  October 4 and 5 at the St. Paul Civic Center.

The rally will be at 11 a.m. at the Capitol On.the Mall, and immediately following, participants will Walk and Roll along a designated route to the St. Paul Civic Center.  Jeff Keith, a nationally known disabled athlete will be the Grand Marshal and will also offer opening remarks at the conference.

For more information, call Leslie Lane, [phone] or toll-free, [phone].

Community Living Awareness Week

The week of Oct. 6-12 has been proclaimed "Community Living Awareness Week" by Governor Rudy Perpich. This will be the second annual week of education, appreciation and celebration by and for persons with mental retardation who live in the community.

To participate, or for more information, contact the Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM), 1885 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone] or toll-free, [phone].

WORKSHOPS,CONFERENCES

Aug. 30

"Physical Intervention Alternatives" is a program that will be held from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Sunwood Inn in St. Cloud. The program teaches a philosophy of preservation of dignity, development of skills to avoid physical confrontation and human approaches to minimizing physical outbursts. It will be taught by David Pfriem, dirctor of inservice training at REM Consulting and services, Inc., Edina, Minn.

Cost of the conference is $55, which includes course material, certificate, snacks and lunch. Registration is limited to the first 35 paid registrants, there will be no registration available at the door. For more information contact REM Consulting and Services, Inc. at 612) 925-5067.

Oct. 25 - 27

"Epilepsy and the Family" is the subject of the 1985 National Conference of the Epilepsy Foundation to be held at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel in Baltimore, Md.

To obtain a registration form, or for more information, contact the Epilepsy Foundation of America, National Conference Planning, 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover, MD 2D785.

FUTURE EVENTS

March 3-5, 1986

"Discovery III: Training and Technology for the Disabled is a conference that will be held in Milwaukee, Wis. at the Red Carpet Hotel. As in previous years, the emphasis will be on utilizing  computers and technology. Proposals for presentations and demonstrations are due September 2, 1985.

For more information, contact the office  of Continuing Education and Summer Session, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wis. 54751.    Tel. (800)-45-STOUT.


 Day Care (Continued)

through 12 years (care for older children can also be arranged) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information call Heidi Bibeau or Dorinda Fodstad at [phone].

Wheelchair Repair Service Offered

People Organizing Wheelchair Education and Repair (POWER), a consumeroperated, non-profit business, operates a wheelchair repair service. Pick-up and delivery and same day service is offered.

For more information, contact Scott Rostron at [phone].


FOR YOUR INFORMATION

McKnight Awards in Human Service Announced

On June 1,-1985, the directors of the McKnight Foundation approved the initiation of the McKnight Awards in Human Service. There will be ten annual awards which will provide a tax-free $5,000 cash prize to the individual recipient.

The purpose of the awards is to recognize those individuals throughout the state of Minnesota who are making significant contributions in the human service areas by directly assisting others to become productive and participating members of the communities in which they reside. The goal of the program is to reward those persons who are doing the difficult jobs and tasks with a minimum of public recognition and with a minimum of financial remuneration.

Nominees to be considered for this award must be direct-care personnel who serve on a voluntary or paid basis, either fulltime or part-time, and who are working for a public agency, a private non-profit or a profit-making agency. Nominations must be made through an organization or by an individual other than the nominee.

McKninht Awards (Continued)

Nominations for the awards will be evaluated by a review committee which will recommend candidates to the foundation's board of directors for the selection of awards. Deadline for the submission of nominations is Oct. 1. with the awards being announced on or before Dec. 1, 1985.

For more information, call or write The McKnight Foundation, 410 Peavey Bldg. Minneapolis, MN 55402 for further information. Tel. [phone].

Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (MNASH) Offers Free Memberships.

In order to encourage a greater number of parents to participate in MNASH, a limited number of free, one-year member will be available.

For additional information or/and application, contact Nancy Fenrick, Dept. of Special Education, Mankato State University, Mankato, Minn. 56001.

Fitness Clinic Offered

Individuals with physical disabilities and physical education and health professionals are invited to register for the second annual Fitness Clinic, Sept. 26-29 at Courage Center in Golden Valley.

The clinic, with the theme "Fitness is for Everyone," will cover exercise  modifications in strength, flexibility and aerobic dance; nutrition and weight control; and individual fitness assessments.

The clinic is designed especially for people with paraplegia, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, leg amputation and several other disabilities, as well as professionals or others who have an interest in learning more about exercise, modifications for people with physical impairments.

-3-


 WASHINGTON STATE STUDY (Continued)

Regarding.family support services, nearly half of the families reported needing  such services as therapy, counselin, and respite care. While 27 percent had received one or more of these services (usually respite care) during the past  year, 38 percent reported no need for these services.

As reported by the specialists in develop mental disabilities, most clients (80 percent) got along adequately with family members, were given opportunities to contribute to the family unit (65 percent), and were treated as adults and were encouraged to become more independent (50 percent). Most common concerns included:  clients had no job or training program, (25 percent), were socially isolated (25 percent), needed social and community living skills (25 percent), or lived in an overprotective home environment (22 percent).

Futiure goals and arrangements by family members for the clients included:

--Two-thirds considered a sheltered work environment'1o be the most suitable long-range vocational goal for the client.

--Twenty-six percent expected the client to move away from home within two years; families of the youngest clients were most likely to expect such a move (50 percent).

--Parents most often preferred that the client continue living at home (51percent) or move to supervised living (23 percent) as a permanent residence.

--Two thirds had made financial and/or sponsorship arrangements for the clients' futures.

Group B:

This group of clients had moved from home and appeared to different from clients who remained at home (Group-A). They were  slightly younger, had a higher level of functioning, and were more likely to be employed full-time. Prior to the move, clients in Group B had significantly lower social and communication skills


WASHINGTON STATE STUDY (Continued)

and more nondangerous behavior-problems than Group A clients.

Most clients had moved to group homes (53 percent), independent living situations with or without support staff (25 percent).  Reasons for out-of-home placement given by parents were:  increased social opportunities (80 percent), the client reaching adulthood (71 percent), and availability of appropriate residential setting (60 percent).

Most parents were satisfied with the clients' current circumstances, e.g., living arrangements (88 percent);  physical and mental health (84 percent);  work, school or training program (81 percent);  and social life (80 percent), Sixty percent had made financial arrangements to provide for the clients' future and had made arrangements for a guardian or sponsor when they are no longer able to care for the client.

Group C:

These individuals (those not being served by DDD) were reported to have higher functional skills than DDD clients.  They were more independent in personal care and independent living activities.  They had higher communication and social skills, greater ability to manage risk situations, fewer dagerous behavior problems, and less need for supervision.

However, they were less likely to participate in any scheduled work, school or training activities:  40 percent (Group C) versus 69 percent (Group A), and 85 percent (Group B).  Employed persons in Group C (34 percent ) were more likely to work in competitive settings, to work more hours and to earn higher wages than employed DDD clients (31 percent).

Findings in the study of Group C individuals did not support the assumption that there is a sizable population of unserved persons in this age group (16 through 26 in need of DDD services.

Over three-fourths (81 percent) of the families had someone to care for their relative in an emergency, usually for as

WASHINGTON STATE STUDY (Continued)

long as needed.  Only one-third expressed a need for one or more family support services similar to those provided by 000, most often speech therapy (23 percent).  On the other hand, 45 percent considered it very likely that their relative would need vocationl training and/or job placement services within the next tow years.

When requesting free copies of these reports, please refer to their assigned numbers:  No. 1, #05-18A;  No. 2, #05-17B;  and No. 3, #05-18C.  Contact:  Program Research and Evaluation Section, Office of Research and Data Anlysis, Department of Social and Health Services, NSX: 0B34A, Olympia, Wash., 98504.

PUBLICATIONS

State Zoning Legislation Survey, M.V. Bates, Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities.  This definitive guide to zoning legislation in the country was recently revised to reflect legislation before the Alabama legislature and the outcome contested group home in that state.  The report notes that State Developmental Disabilities Planning Councils are often the "instigators, movers and shakers" that have achieved the establishment of laws protecting group homes from discrimintaion by local zoning controls.  thirty-one states had these laws at the time of publishing this report.  For further information contact:  Marion Bates, Wisconsin council on Developmental Disabilities, P.O. Box 7851, Madison, Wis.  53707.  Tel. [phone]

The Effects of Group Homes on Neighbering Property:  An Annotated Bibliography, D. Mueller, Mental Health Law Project (June 1985). This 12 page document summarizes 36 research reports and publications relating to the effects of group homes on surrounding neighborhoods. It includes studies on mental health facilities (for persons with mental illness and chemical dependency) as well as homes for persons with developmental disabilities. The studies were conducted throughout the United States and Canada. Community acceptance

PUBLICATIONS (Continued)

and zoning barriers are also discussed. The studies invariably disprove the fears, myths and stereotypes commonly held by community members.

Free copies are available from the Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agengy, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn.  55101.  Tel. [phone].

EVENTS

Aug. 14 (St. Paul)
Aug 15 (Duluth)

"Personal Futures Planning is a one-day-workshop to be presented at both the Sheraton Midway Hotel in. St. Paul and the Holiday Inn in Duluth.--Personal Futures Planning is a planning process designed to identify meaningful ways to match the interests and preferences of people to valued roles that exist or can be created in the communities/networks they are in.  Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Mount, from Graphic Futures, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia, will serve as workshop presenter.  Cost $40.  Contact:  Association of Residences for the Retarded of Minnesota (AARM), 1885 university Av., St. Paul, Minn.  55104.  Tel. [phone].

NOTE: Those attending the.above worksnop in Duluth should also consider attending the ARC Minnesota.Annual Convention which starts on August 16. Cal1 [phone] or [phone].

Oct. 6 -12

"Community Living Awareness Week" will  include an art show with works by persons with disahilities, awards for outstanding citizen (a person with a disability), and for good neighbors, and many open houses, displays and much more. To become involved contact: Sandy Henry, Chair, [phone].

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials.  THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SUPPLEMENT SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER.  TEL. [phone].

Toward an Architectural Definition of Social Normalization.  Design Principles for Housing Severaly and Profoundly Retarded Adults, University of Minnesota.  Intended for designers and others working in residential services, this publication's purpose is to sensitze people to the architectural elements which affect creation of normalized living environments.  Distinct physical characteristics of a typical home are described and compared against those of a traditional institutional setting.  Its intent is to develop a way of thinking about housing which allows designs to respond to specific situations and sites.  A checklist, developed from the design principles, provides a complete description of desirable environmental features.

Kellogg Model Curriculum, Meyer Children's Rehabilitation Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 1985.  This nine-volume curriculum was developed under a four-year grant from the W. X. Kellog Foundation.  This is a two-year curriculum to train human service staff to work with developmentally disabled children and adults.  The materials are designed for pre and inservice training programs in community colleges, special education and/or human service agencies.  Examples of curriculum content include:  planning for individuals, basics in human development, values inherent in the principle of normalization, cultural differences and legal and ethical considerations.

Metropolitan Council DD Program
300 Metro Square Building
7th and Robert Sts.
St. Paul, MN  55101

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul, Minnesota S5101
Toni Lippert 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Volunteers Needed for Regional
Developmental Disabilities Committee

The Metropolitan Council is taking applications from Twin City Metropolitan Area residents interested in serving on its Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee.

The volunteer committee advises the Council on the needs of developmentally disabled people and helps coordinate planning to meet those needs.

The 25-member committee is made up of developmentally disabled people, their parents, service providers and the general public. Members serve three-year terms. There are eleven positions to be filled.

The committee usually meets the second Tuesday afternnon of every month. Members also serve on subcommittees. Members volunteer their time, but are reimbursed for travel and miscellaneous expenses.

For applications or for more information, call Sandi Lindstrom of the Council staff at 291-6390. Applications are due September 13.

Developmental disabilities refer to chronic and severe physical or mental handicaps that are manifested before age 22 and that substantially limit functions in three or more basic living activities.

Vol. 10. No. 8
August 1985

Job Coaches Needed

Persons interested in becoming paid job coaches for the Metropolitan Council's developmental disability Community Work/ Training Project are invited to call Terrence Kayser at [phone]. Irregular hours; $4.75 $6 per hour.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Behavior Analysts Needed

Merrick Developmental Achievement Center (DAC) has several positions available in an exciting new program for innovative individuals. Behavior Analysts are needed to participate in the start-up, development and implementation of an intensive behavioral program for adults who are mentally retarded. Positions include:

--Behavioral Analyst I: Several positions open requiring a BA in behavioral modification, behavioral analysis, psychology, or special education and six months relevant experience.

--Behavior Analyst II: Several positions open requiring a BA in behavioral modification, behavioral analysis, psychology, or special education with two years experience working with severe behavior problems.

Competitive salaries with excellent benefits including health, dental and life insurance, paid vacation and sick leave.

Behavior Analysts (Continued)

Resumis should be sent to Merrick DAC, 715 Edgerton St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101.

Part-time Instructors Needed

The Twin Cities Society for Children and Adults with Autism, Inc. (TCSAC) provides in-home training and respite care to parents of children with autism.

Part-time instructors are needed to provide training in social interaction skills, communication development, practical living tasks, self-care and leisure and recreational skills.

Applicants must have at least one year's successful experience working with autistic people and/or one year of college work in the fields of education, psychology, human services or related fields.

Salary is S6.50 an hour. For more information, contact Sandra Bump, TCSAC at [phone].

PUBLICATIONS

Toys for Special Children, 1985 Catalog

This catalog describes and pictures a variety of toys which both entertain and teach special children. Adapted and modified versions of radios and tape recorders, training devices, communications devices, switches and special modules are also described. To obtain the catalog, or for more information, cntact Steven Kanor, Ph.D. Inc., 101 Lefurgy AY., Hastings on Hudson, NY 10706. Tel. [phone]. The price of the catalog is $2.

MISCELLANEOUS

Poster Presentations Needed

Persons are invited to make poster presentations on research projects, descriptions of their agencies or other

Poster Presentation (Continued)

related topics at the Minnesota Organizations 1985 Joint Conference Lookinq Ahead to the Year 2000. More ~ nizations and agencies that serve people with handicaps are meeting on October 24 and 25 at the Radisson South in Bloomington.

Anyone interesting in making a poster presentation should contact Ron Hanson, at [phone] for further details.

SERVICES

Respite Care Offered

Respite care services are now available at Bryant Avenue and Summit Avenue Residences in South St. Paul. Residents will be accepted on an emergencybasis and in cases where parents, foster parents or other caretakers need time off from providing care and supervision.

This service is available for persons 18 years or older who are ambulatory and capable of self-preservation. There are several admission critieria. For more information, call Anne Henrickson at [phone].

Respite care is also available through the Northeast Respite Care Program in White Bear Lake. This service is offered for persons five years and older. For more information call Jane Wells at [phone].

The Twin Cities Society for Children and Adults with Autism, Inc. (TCSAC) also provides respite care and in-home client training to persons living in the Metro Area.

For more information on this program, contact Sandra Bump at [phone].

Day Care Offered

The Sunshine Day Care Center in Arden ,Hills offers care for children with c special needs. Full-time and drop-in-care is available for children birth

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Councii

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

Grants Awarded to DD Program

The Metropolitan Council has been awarded a grant by the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities of the State Planning Agency to continue the third year of its Developmental Disabilities Community Work Training Project. The project will provide technical assistance and coordination to four Metro Area developmental achievement centers that results in their ability to make supported employment opportunities available to their clients.

83 developmentally disabled persons have been placed in supported or competitive employment by adult program agencies that were participants in the first and second years of the project. This year, as a pilot effort, the project initiated a unique business/multi-agency agreement that provides funding for 16 adults who receive paid, on-the-job training for up to 360 hours. Permanent placements will be made as clients reach the corporation's performance standards and as openings occur in the corporation's locations.

The participants to the agreement include two day program agencies, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Special Intermediate District 916' 9 Area Vocational Technical Institute, the State Vocational Education Board, a private business corporation and the Metropolitan Council.

Vol. 10. No. 9
September 1985

Public Hearing Held

The Metropolitan Council held a public hearing on July 11, 1985 to receive comments on a proposed DD regional plan to be used by the Council as interim policy guidelines. Representatives from 19 organizations and agencies testified and indicated unanimous support for adoption and promotion of the plan. The Council will review the testimony, consider any changes suggested and adopt the plan on September 13, 1985 at its regular meeting.

Addition to Curriculum Library

Family Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Growing Commitment, is a report prepared jointly by the Human Services Research Institute, Boston, and the National Association of State Mental Retardation Programs. The material in the report is meant to assist in the "empowerment" of families with developmentally disabled family members. The report also suggest concrete ways in which both the public and private sectors can facilitate the maintenance of the family unit while improving the life of the family member with developmental disabilities.

Competitive Employment for Persons with Mental Retardation: From Research to Practice, Paul Wehman and Janet W. Hill (Eds.) produced by the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center, School of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va. A monograph containing many original pieces of work developed since 1983 on improving the employability of individuals with mental retardation.


Library Additions (Continued)

Changing Trends in Employment of Adults with Severe Disability prepared by Wm. Riernan, Ph.D., Children's Hospital in Boston, Mass. This reference manual presents some conceptual ideas regarding the role of the adult with severe disability as well as some models for employment with support services.

These books and other publications may be borrowed by Metropolitan Area residents for three weeks. They must be picked up and returned in person. Borrowers are liable for coats of materials if they are damaged or lost. Call 291-6363 for further information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Substitute Teachers Needed

Immediate openings for vocational rehabilitation substitute teachers/ workshop supervisors at the Cerebral Palsy Work Activity Center. Minimum of high school diploma and experience with persons with developmental disabilities.

For more information, contact Marcy MooreFoster, Cerebral Palsy Work Activity Center, 6300 Walker St., St. Louis Park, Mlon. 55416. Tel. [phone].

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

MNASH Seeks Nominees for Board

The Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (MNASH) has issued a call for nominations to fill three vacancies in its governing board. Nominees must be members of both MNASH and TASH, the national organization.

The current board is particularly anxious to recruit parents and professionals from cutside the Twin Cities Metro Area who can commit the time to attend monthly meetings and to serve a three-year term. Nominations should include relevant information about the person's

MNASH Board (Continued)

involvement with individuals who have severe handicaps and a statement of what goal he/she wishea to help MNASH in the near future. Nominations should be sent by October 15, 1986 to MNASH, Pioneer Station, P.O. Box 1837, St. Paul, Minn. 55101.

Course Offered

This fall, the University of Mirnesota will offer a three-credit course on WorkSite Training for Persons with Disabilities. The ten-week course will provide extensive coverage of all relevant issues related to supported work for persons with a wide range of disabilities. The course is offered at Minneapolis Area Vocational Technical Institute, 14th and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis, Thursdays, 5 - 8 p.m. beginning September 26.

The course will be taught by Terrence Kayser, Ph.D., field coordinator of the Metropolitan Council's Community Work Training Program, and dames Brown, Ph.D., Associate Professor in Vocational Education for Special Needs Students.

For registration information, call the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Office of Special Services at [phone]. Preregistration is required by September 19, 1985.

Minnesota Organizations Band Together to Prevent Fall Conrerence:

This conference is designed to highlight and promote exemplary cooperative efforts by professionals and agencies who provide services to persons with disabilities and special needs. The Joint 1985 Conference has been in the developing stage for over a year and on October 24 and 25 will offer over 73 presentations, involving more than 170 professionals.

The conference's two major themes, Looking Ahead to the Year 2000 and Working Together will both be covered in keynote addresses. On Thursday, futurist Harold Pluimer, will present


 Joint Conference (Continued

an address entitled "An Encounter with the Future."  To quote Mr. Pluimer, "Somewhere between the extremes of pessimism and optimism lies the hope of building a better world. This must begin with a tough-minded appraisal of available data, for our Judgment cannot rise any higher than our acquaintance with the facts." On Friday, Professor George Walter will preaent the key note address on the theme "Working Together. His presentation entitled "No Man is an Island" relates to participation in our working situations.

Other highlights include plenary sessions led by Travis Thompson, Ph.D., John Najarian, M.D., Dana Johnson, M.D. and Senator David Durenberger.

There will also be a pre-conference workshop day on October 23. MNASH, ARC-MN and AAMD-MN will have separate proGrams in the morning and will join with ARRM for an afternoon program featuring Jeff Strully, MR/DD program director from Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Strully will present "Challenges and Changes: Working Together to Develop Community Resources" Now and to the Year 2000."

The conference fee is $55 and the preconference program fee $15 or members and $25 for non-members. For more information, contact Dorothy Lunneborg at Dakota's Children. Tel. [phone].

Free Registrations for Conference

The Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (MNASH) is offering two free registrations for the above conference. This will include conference lunches but not hotel registrations. One registration will go to a parent of a severely handicapped child and one to a college student studying in the field of special education or other fields related to working with per~ons with severe handicaps.

Conference (Continued)

Interested parties should make application by writing a short statement (not more than two pages) of how they would benefit by attendance at this conference.

Applications should be postmarked no later than October 9 and sent to MNASH, P.O. Box 1837 Pioneer Station, St. Paul, MN 55101. The two persons selected will be notified by Oct. 16.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The following organizations need volunteers:

VALUE VILLAGE, the thrift store operated by the Association for Retarded Citizens/ Hennepin County, needs people to act as cashiers, sort and price merchandise, and repair small appliances. Call Bud Morin at 874-6650.

PACER CENTER (Parents Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) needs volunteers for its COUNT ME IN program on handicap awareness and for its new program on child abuse. Puppets are used to educate children about these topics. Training will start in October, after which volunteers will assist with presentations in the Metropolitan Area schools. Call PACER at 827-2966 for more information.

PACER also needs people to assist at their state-of-the-art computer conference to be held Oct. 30 - Nov. 2 in Minneapolis. They are especially interested in recruiting parents interested in the possibilities of computer technology for their handicapped son or daughter. Attendance at the conference costs $150 for non-volunteers; however, volunteers can attend the conference free for a period of time equal to the time spent volunteering. For more information, contact PACER at C826 Chicago Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55417. Tel. [phone].

THE LEARNING EXCHANGE needs adapted aquatics instructor-aides to assist in the Red Cross swimming programs and volunteers to assist with evening classes


Volunteers (Continued)

at various locations in the South Hennepln area. Also, people who are free during the day are needed to serve as volunteer monitors tor a Job Success Fair, to be held Oct. 24, 8 - 11 a.m. at the Normandalee Community College. For more information, call Lynn at 887-9226 for more information.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Lite Recreational Activities Offered

Several life enrichment classes are offered by Courage Center for adults with physical disabilities.

Morning, afternoon and evening classes begin Oetober 1 and include tours, ceramics, multi-media art, camera club, radio drama, Christmas crafts, musicales and "Friday flicks." The classes are conducted at Courage Center and other accessible locations in the Metro Area.

For more information, contact Cindy Raynor at [phone]) ext. 137, or Jeanene Doran, ext. 189.

PUBLICATIONS

Pacer Offers Booklet

Parents of handicapped children in the Twin Cities Hmong community can obtain a free booklet written in both Hmong and English from the Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER). The booklet explains special education laws that guarantee all children with handicaps a tree and appropriate public education. It describes the procedures followed by schools to identity, evaluate and plan individualized programs tor students with disabilities.

To receive the booklet, contact PACER at 4826 Chicago AY. S., Minacapolis, Minn. 55417. Tel. [phone].

Publications (Continued)

Newsletter Available

The Learning Exchange is a newsletter explaining programs for South Hennepin area residents who are handicapped.

To receive this newsletter, contact The Learning Exchange, 900 Portland Av. S., Bloomington, Minn. 55420. Tel. [phone] or 88779144 (TDD).

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

Oct. 17

"Psychosocial Development of HearingImpaired Children" is a conference to be presented at the Sheraton Midway in St. Paul. The conference is designed tor teachers ot hearing-impaired students, parents, schocl psychologists and counselors. For registration and other information contact Minnesota Foundation tor Better Hearing and Speech, 508 Bremer Bldg., 7th and Robert Sts., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone] voice or TDD.

Oct. 21

"Helping Professionals and Co-Dependency" will be presented at the Sheraton-Airport in Bloomington. This conference offers RN CEUs and includes lunch, snacks and materials. The cost is $49. For more information, contact David Ptriem at REM Consulting and Services, Inc., 6921 York Av. S., Edina, Minn. 55435. Tel. [phone].

PACER has planned several fall/winter workahops. To receive a copy of the flyer giving details of the workshopa, contact PACER at [phone].

-4-


INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Ceder Street
St. Paul,.Minnesota  55101

Minnesota State Planning Agency
Roger Strand 612/296-4018
Editor

September 1985

MINNESOTA OFFICE ON TRANSITION
SERVICES ESTABLISHED

As authorized by the 1985 Minnesota Legislature, Commissioner Ruth Randall of the Department of Education recently established an Interagency Office on Transition Services. The purpose of this new statewide program is to address the needs of pupils with handicaps as they leave school and enter postsecondary training, employment and community living.

Barbara L. Troolin has been hired as staff for this new office. Troolin was previously employed by the SherburneNorthern Wright Special Education Cooperative as a special education supervisor.

Some of Troolin's responsibilities will include:

--serving as a staff person to the State Transition Interagency Committee, which has recently expanded its membership to include representatives from human services, community colleges, consumers, advocates and developmental disabilities. The committee is currently drafting a revised interagency agreement;
--developing an inservice training package and resource manual for the transition training workshops to be held around the state during the next twelve months;
--providing information, consultation and technical assistance to state and local agencies about transition services;
--assisting agencies in establishing local, interagency agreements to assure the necessary services for the efficient and appropriate transition from school to work or postsecondary training programs; and

Office on Transition (Continued)

--gathering and coordinating data on transition services for secondary age handicapped pupils.

When asked to comment about her assignment, Troolin stated, "This is a collective challenge--to harness the resources necessary to meet the needs of approximately 5,000 students with special needs who leave the school system each year in Minnesota. It is only through a truly cooperative effort that we can assure that their transition into adult lite in the community will be successful."

For more information, contact: Barb Troolin, Interagency Office of Transition Services, Section for Special Education, 8th floor, Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. Tel. [phone].

INTERAGENCY AGREEMENT ADDRESSES NEEDS OF PERSONS WHO ARE CHRONICALLY MENTALLY ILL

The Departments of Jobs and Training and Human Services have entered into a new Interagency Cooperative Agreement effective July, 1985. The agreement Joins the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Mental Health Services in a three-year commitment to improve and enhance vocational rehabilitation and case management service available to persons considered chronically mentally ill. The purpose of this new interagency effort is to enable the two departments to provide joint leadership in coordinating the delivery of services that assist chronically mentally ill persons in achieving their maximum vocational potential and to assure them of the availability of support services needed to integrate them into society.


 HEALTH DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES COST OF FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME

The Department of Health recently released a report Review and Cost of Alcohol Abuse in Minnesota. One portion of the report addresses Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). "It is the most common set of preventable birth defects of known origin," the report stated.

Based on an estimated incidence rate of three FAS children per 1,000 births, there were about 200 children born in 1983 in Minnesota with full and partial FAS expression. The estimated cost to treat these 200 individuals throughout their lifetimes (e.g. medical, remedial education and residential services) would likely exceed $42 million, the report reveals.

Prior to 1973, little was known about the hazards of maternal alcohol consumption ln the United States, but several hundred case studies have been published since then.

Characteristics of FAS that may be present at birth include: low birth weight; microcephaly; facial deformities, cardiac and kidney defects; and failure to develop normally or to thrive. After infancy other characteristics may include: mental impairments (from mild learning disabilities to mental retardation); hyperactivity and poor concentration; failure to grow normally and to gain weight; poor coordination and loss of muscle tone; and abnormal sleeping patterns for the age group. A significant number of FAS children have speech disorders, such as: retarded speech development, voice dysfunction, and disorders of articulation.

For more information and copies of the report, contact: Chronic Disease Division, Minnesota Department of Health, 717 SE Delaware St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. Tel. [phone].

CALL FOR CONFERENCE PROPOSALS IN TRAINING AND TECHNOLOGY-MILWAUKEE

"Discovery III: Training and Technology for Disabled Persons" is a conference planned for March 3-5, 1986, in Milwaukee, Wis. Proposals for presentations and demonstrations are due Sept. 2, 1985. For more information, contact: Office of Continuing Education and Summer Session, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wis. 54751. Tel. (800) 45-STOUT (toll- free).

MINNESOTA CONSORTIUM INSTITUTE'S PUBLICATION LIST AVAILA3LE

The Consortium Institute for the Education of Severely Handicapped Learners, University of Minnesota, has recently released a list of publications, training guides and assessment instruments developed all or in part by Institute staff. General subject categories covered in the listing include communication interventions, excess behavior, integration, methodological issues, social skills, peer interactions, and therapeutic recreation/leisure. Nominal fee covers copying and postage expenses for each document. To obtain the publication list and for more information, contact Consortium Institute for the Education of Severely Handicapped Learners, 144 Burton Hall, 178 Pillsbury Drive SE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Tel. [phone] or [phone].

PUBLICATIONS

Explore Minnesota Accessibility is a guide to provide the traveler with disabilities with basic information about travel services and resources in Minnesota. It was developed by the Minnesota Office of Tourism in cooperation with the State Council for the Handicapped. Copies may be requested from: Minnesota Office of Tourism, 240 Bremer Bldg., 419 N. Robert St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. ( 612) 296-5029.

Summary: McKnight Foundation,
Developmental Disabilities Program
(1985)

As the first in a series of three, this publication summarizes the results of the projects funded under a grant from the McKnight Foundation to the Developmental Disabilities Program of the State Planning Agency. In December, 1981, the McKnight Foundation made a grant of $300,000/year renewable for up to three years. This publication describes the first year's McKnight program in three areas:

1. Training for staff and boards of facilities serving persons who are developmentally disabled;
2. Projects that would resolve or mitigate existing problems in the delivery of services.
3. Projects that would increase the physical accessibility of facilities providing day services.

Complimentary copies will be sent to persons already on the developmental disabilities mailing list. Additional copies may be requested by contacting Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Opportunities After High School for Persons Who Are Severely Handicapped, Health Resource Center, 1985. This free paper is intended for parents and families of persons who are severely handicapped. It is also useful to providers of services, employers and advocates. It provides information about the vocational, educational, recreational and residential opportunities available to persons who are severely handicapped. Suggestions for the future directions are made to stimulate more ideas and generate increased advocacy activities. For copies, contact: Health Resource Center, One Dupont Circle, Suite 670, Washington, DC. 20036-1193.

COUNCIL ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WILL HOST NATIONAL CONFERENCE OCT. 16-20.

The Governor's Conference on Developmental Disabilities will serve as host to the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Council's (NADDC) Annual Conference at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in St. Paul October 16-20 (Wednesday through Sunday). The first day and a half will consist of NADDC business meetings. The actual conference will begin at 1: 30 p.m. on Oct. 17.

"From Values to Vision to Action" is the theme of the conference. Examples of topics include: marketing principles and practices; problem solving; and policy, planning and political strategies. Invited speakers include: Gunnar Dybwad (Brandeis University), Jean Elder (Administration on Developmental Disabilities), James Moss (Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation), and Robert Saracen (Columbia Broadcasting System).

Participation by non-members is limited. However, those who may be interested in attending may contact The Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

EVENTS

Sept. 20

The Fourth Annual Community Health Education Network (CHEN) Workshop will be held at the Minneapolis Technical Institute Room 440, 1415 Hennepin Av., Minneapolis. Focus will be on how families handle grief and how to access support systems. Contact: Sally Swallen, CHEN, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. [phone]. There is no charge for the workshop.

Oct. 11-12

"Sexual Attitude Reassessment Seminar for People with Physical Disabilities: will be held at the Program in Human Sexuality Research East Bldg., 2630 University Av. SE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55414. It is cosponsored by the University of Minnesota and Courage Center. The registration fee is $85 per person. Contact: Diane Campbell or Terri Craig at the above address, or call [phone].

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YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SUPPLEMENT SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. [phone].

Issues Related to Community Integration for People with Severe Handicaps, Vol. 2), F. Orelove, R. Ingo and P. Hehman (Eds.), Virginia Commonwealth University, 1984. This is the last monograph completed by the Severely Handicapped Community Training Project. Its basic premise is that "the time has come to devote our energies toward establishing and developing community programs which guarantee severely handicapped persons thoir ultimate role as friends, neighbors, and citizens." Specitic topics include: deinstltutionalization, community training, parent involvement, supported work, training for community integration and respite care.

Metropolitan Council DD Program 300 Metro Square Building 7th and Robert Sts. St. Paul, MN 55101

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call [phone], or write to the DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, MN 55101.

(TIME-DATED MATERIAL)

Strategies for Achieving Community Integratlon of Developmentally Disabled Citlzens, K.C. Lakin and R. H. Bruininks, Paul H. Brooks Publishing Company 1985. This volume attempts to bridge the gap between what research and theory suggest contemporary services should be and the character of these services in their everyday implementation. Its impetus grew out of discussions at a working conference on deinstitutionalization and education held in Minneapolls in 1983. A common perception held by participants was that future services for developmentally disabled persons would be influenced more by effectively implementing existing programs and policies and of utilizing resources in current allocations than by the creation of new programs or substantially increased services.

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St. Paul, Minn.
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INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

If you do not receive this newsletter every month, please notify Marjorie Segell, DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101, or telephone [phone].

Introducing: DD Advisory Committee Members

October, 1985, launches the 14th year of the Metropolitan Council's Developmental Disabilities Program. The Advisory Committee (DDAC) advises the Metropolitan Council on matters pertaining to the needs of Metropolitan Area residents who are developmentally disabled. We'd like to introduce you to our current DD advisory committee. They are grouped by Council Districts and represent one of the following groups--general public (GP), provider (P) and consumer (C).

--Mary Powell, Chair, C, Metropolitan Council District 7.
--Gerald Biese, P, Dist. 13.
--Michelle G. Beach, C, Dist. 10.
--Mary K. Busch, GP, Dist. 4.
--Beth Dhennin, P, Dist. 8.
--Martha T. Dwyer, C, Dist. 2.
--Betty Goodman, P, Dist. 14.
--Grace Mack, C, Dist. 6.
--Marido McBride, P, Dist. 15.
--Shannon L.McCarthy-Bicha, C, Dist. 2.
--Diane McNearney, C, Dist. 16.
--Ralph McQuarter, P, Dist. 4.

Vol. 10, No. 10
October 1985

--Bud Morin, C, Dist. 10.
--Gary R. Parsons, P, Dist. 3.
--Galen Pate, C, Dist. 15.
--Eileen Schmokel, C, Dist. 14
--Joan L. Schoepke, C, Dist. 12.
--Nancy Seiler, C, Dist. 3.
--Dorothy Skarnulis, C, Dist. 7.
--Edward Sootsman, P, Dist. 4.
--Katherine A. Svanda, C, Dist. 8.
--Claudia Swanson, P, Dist. 2.
--Katherine A. Svanda, C, Dist. 8.
--Judith A. Sweeney, C, Dist. 5.
--Ed. A. Van Allen, P, Dist. 1.

The committee representation includes 15 consumers (birth and foster parents), one member of the general public and nine providers. The consumer representatives include a diverse range of developmental disabilities. The providers represent the following service areas: residential, educational, vocational, DAC, health, communication, leisure/ recreation, casemanagement and county planning.

FY86 DD Work Program

The Metropolitan Council's DD work program for FY86 (October 1, 1985 through September 30, 1986) ccnsists of several activities. Half of the work program will be devoted to carrying out the third year goals of the DD Community Work Training Project (CWTP). The proJect uses a technical assistance approach to enable staff of four developmental achievement centers (DACs) to develop the skills and resources needed to provide increased employment opportunities to their clients. The DACs participating in this year's project are Greenhaven Heights Community DAC, North Suburban DAC, School for Social Development and Scott County DAC.

DD Work Program (Continued)

This project is expected to result in new and improved staff skills, restructured organizations and in employment with ontho-Job training for a minimum of 50 proJect clients. The clients must meet tho definition of "developmontally disabled" as stated in the DD Act (P.L. 98-527). Another outcome will be development of a multi-path model for long-term followup of employed clients to assure Job retention.

The proJect is funded by grants from the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, and the Division of Rehabilitation Services. The Metropolitan Council will provide matching funds. The Council's DD Advisory Committee will have oversight responsibilities for the proJect.

In addition, the committee's other responsibilities include promotion of the recently approved Developmental Disabilities Regional Policy Plan; performing reviews of relevant DD proposals, legislation, etc. Other program activities include coordination of local planning for policy andservice development; liaison with DD related organizations; support or sponsorship of activities that bring information and understanding about emerging needs and new service technologies to residents of the Metropolitan Area; provision of information and referral and maintenance of a DD curriculum library which lends materials useful to direct practitioners.

DD Regional Policy Plan

The Metropolitan Council approved the DD Regional Policy Plan at its September 12th meeting. The goals, guidelines and criteria in the plan provide the Council and its DD advisory committee with standards for Judging whether current or proposed DD services, legislation or administrative practice provide or would assure a quality service system for this region.

This plan represents a unique and comprehensive public policy statement directed to individuals who are

Regional Policy Plan (Continued)

developmentaly disabled and to the service system: which should serve them.

The Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee will develop an action plan to promote the use of tho Policy Plan by public and private organizations and agencies. Single copies are free and may be obtained by calling the Motropolitan Council's Communication Department [phone].

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Respite Providers Needed

The Association for Retarded Citizens of Dakota County (ARC) is seeking respite care providers for children through the age of 21 years. Care will be given in the child's or the provider's home while the parents are away. Providers will be independent contractors who agree to accept a certain number of referrals from the ARC/Dakota County

Contact Lory Perryman at 431-3700 for an application or for more information.

RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS

Camping Staff Needed

Camp Friendship, owned and operated by the Association of Retarded Citizens Minnesota, is recruiting staff and volunteers for the winter camping season, late December through the middle of February. Each staff member and volunteer may select the number of weeks he/she would be available to work. Necessary qualifications include: the ability to work and relax with others, emotional stability, physical stamina and a genuine concern for others.

Positions available are: winter camp cordinator, counselors, nutritionist, dining hall workers, arts and crafts

-2-

Camping Staff (Continued)

leader and music leader. For more information, contact Ed Stracke, Rt. 3. Box 162, Annandale, MN 55302. Tel. [phone].

Dakota ARC Offers Several Programs

The Association for Retarded Citizens tARC) Dakota County offers the following programs:

Oct. 14 - Dec. 2., Somerset Elementary School, West St. Paul; Fitness and Fun, a program for youths and adults who are interested in phsyical fitness, individual skills and development and socialization.

Oct. and Nov.,--Drkula's Bowl, Inver Grove Heights; Bowling Clinic and Leagues.

Oct. 7 - Nov. 19--Central Square Pool, So. St. Paul; Adaptive Swim Class for adults who are mentally retarded.

Oct. - Dec.--Scott Highlands Middle School, Apple Valley; swimming for youths up to the age of 18.

For more information, contact ARC Dakota County, 14451 Co. Rd. 11, Burnsville, Minn. 55337. Tel. [phone].

Annual Dance Scheduled

The Metropolitan Association for Hearing Impaired (MAHI) has scheduled its annual dance on Friday, October 11, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Fred Babcock VFW Hall at 67th and Lyndale Av. S. in Richfield. Persons under 19 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, or to obtain tickets, contact Jack or Hillard Williams at [phone]. Tickets cost $3 and may also be obtained at the door.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Artists Sought for 1986 Courage Cards

Artists and photographers are invited to submit their work for the 1986 Courage Cards competition.

Courage Cards (Continued)

Courage Cards are original-art holiday and all occasion note cards sold to help support Courage Center in Golden Valley. All artwork is selected in a nationwide competition among artists and photographers who are physically disabled or non-disabled. Judges are seeking winter, religious and traditional Christmas scenes for holiday cards and a variety of artwork for all-occasion cards.

Selected artists loan the use of their work and benefit from the collection's nationwide popularity. Deadline for entries is Feb. 17, 1986. For information, contact the Courage Cards Office, Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, Minn. 55422. Tel. [phone].

PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES

"Mainstreet" is a new disability awareness program designed to help high school students examine their own attitudes toward persons with disabilities while also providing accurate information concerning the causes, effects and prevention of disabilities. The program was developed by the New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities.

For further information regarding the five-day program, write to Judith Zocchi, Office of Community Education, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Human Services, Capital Place One, 222 S. Warren St., Trenton, NJ 08625.

Using Hospitals As Job Training and Employment Sites for the Developmentally Disabled is the Hospital Industries Program manual that has been published to assist vocational specialists in implementing this model in hospitals. The manual was published with a grant from the Ad~inistration on Developmental Disabilities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A synchronized, 16-minute slide-tape presentation is used in conjunction with other material. It

PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES (Continued)

gives a brief overview of the project and shows the sites that were used in the demonstration.

For more information, contact Richard M. Balser or Michael P. Rotik, Diviaion of Rehabilitation Counseling, Hospital Industries Program, Main Medical Center, Portland, Maine 04102.

WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES

Oct. 17, 18

The Mainstream Annual Conterence will focus on new ways to address the crucial issues involved ln mainstroaming disabled clients into the workplace. It will be held at the Sheraton Washington Hotel in Washington, D.C.

For further information contact Mainstream, Inc. 1200 NW 15th St., Washington, DC 20005. Tel. [phone].

Oct. 23

ARRM and ARC Minnesota are co-sponsoring a half-day workshop on the Community and Family Living Amendmonts. It will [eature a panel discussion by the following people:

--Betty Rosse, ARC/U.S. Governmental Affairs Committee member,
--Marty Ford, Assistant Direct, ARC/US Governmental Affairs Office, Washington, D.C., --Anne Henry, attorney tor Legal Advocacy for Developmentally Disabled Persons in in Minnesota, and
--Dr. Ed Skarnulis, Dlrector, Mental Retardation Division, Department ot Human Services.

The registration fee of $15 for members of the sponsoring organizations, or $25 for non-members, includes the morning workshop, written materials, lunch and an afternoon session of the conference.

For registration form, or for more information, contact Minnesota Organizations, 901 Memorial Pkwy.

Conterences (Continued)

Willmar, Minn. 56201. Deadline tor luncheon registration is Oct. 16.

Oct. 25

The first national symposium dealing with the Family of the Mentally Retarded and Developmentally Disabled sponsored by Kean College of New Jersey, the Mental Retardation Institute and City University will be held in New York City.

For details, contact Dr. Meyer Schreiver Rean College, Union, NJ 07083. Tel. [phone] or [phone].

Nov. 2, 3

"Life Skills, A Team Approach to Programming tor Special Needs Children" is a workshop offered by Professional Development Programs to be held in St. Paul.

For more information, contact Eileen W. Richter, 12015 North July Av., Hugo, Minn. 55038. Tel. [phone].

FUTURE EVENTS

Dec. 5-7

The 12th Annual Conference of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) will be held at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Mass.

For more information, contact Hiroko Roe, TASH, 7010 Roosevelt Way NE., Seattle, Wash. 98115.

June 4 - 8, 1986

The Spina Bifida Association Association of America is sponsoring "Stop the World, I Want to Get On,"  a conference to be held at the Conference '86 to be held at the Hyatt-Regency in Dearborn, Mich.

Additional information will be available later.

-4-

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota  55101

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Minnesota State Planning Agency

Roger Strand 612/296-4018
Editor


U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPROVES MINNESOTA'S GRANT APPLICATION TO ESTABLISH A SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM

Minnesota was one of ten states recently selected by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) of the United States Department of Education to demonstrate the establishment of a statewide system of supported employment opportunities for persons with severe disabilities. The grant amount to Minnesota for the fir~t year of this fiveyear federal initiative will amount to over $480,000. The other states approved for fund$ng were Alaska, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Minnesota's grant application was submitted by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Jobs and Training on behalf of three additional state agencies which are cooperating in this proJect: the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Developmental Disabilities Program of the State Planning Agency.

The term "supported employment," as defined in the Request for Proposals, means:

...paid work in a variety of integrated settings, particularly regular work sites, especially designed for severely handicapped individuals, irrespective of age or vocational potential -

(1) For whom competitive employment at or above the minimum wage has not traditionally occurred; and

(2) Who, because of their disability, need intensive ongoing post-employment support to perform in a work setting.

OSERS GRANT (Continued)

The overall goal of the proJect in Minnesota will be to increase the diversity, quantity and quality of paid, integrated work opportunities for persons with severe disabilities and to improve their quality of life as measured by integration and productivity. The specific objectives of this project have been designed to create major systems change, as stated below:

--CONSUMER AND PARENT PARTICIPATION:
Foster state and local leadership within the consumer, advocacy, and parent communities and the general public to build broad-based consensus for integrated paid work opportunities for people with severe disabilities.

--LOCAL SERVICE DEYELOPMENT:
Develop and deliver training and on-site technical assistance to support new and existing local supported employment programs and to ensure an adequate statewide supply of qualified personnel.

--CASE MANAGEMENT:
Foster effective case managment services so that supported employment addresses individual needs.

--WORR AVAILABILITY AND EMPLOYER INCENTIVES:
Foster state and local leadership for the supported employment initiative within the business community by developing closer working relationships and incentives for increased employer participation in order to ensure an adequate supply of paid work opportunities.

--FUNDING:
Restructure the funding base for supported employment programs so that it is equitable for all clients, providers and regions of the state; redirect existing funding for segregated settings to integrated ones; develop new funding streams, and create a long-term


 OSERS GRANT (Continued)

stable source of start-up funds so that a full range of opportunities is achieved and sustained beyond the grant period.

STATUTE AND RULE: Insert integrated paid work opportunitiea into state statute and rules; remove remaining policy and financial dialncentives tor placement in community-based employment; and emphasize evaluations based on measurements of integration and productivity.

--INFORMATION SYSTEM: Develop an individually based information system to give objective, quantifiable outcomeorientated information for individuals and programs in areas of productivity, income and integratation.

--EVALUATION: Evaluate the results of the grant objectives and activities in terms of client outcomes and system change indicators, and report these results on a regular basis.

--DISSEMINATION: Prepare and disseminate replicable products, strategies, and results of Minnesota's supported employment initiative through state, regional and national networks so that others may benefit from the Minnesota experience.

--ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT: Establish an advisory committee to empower consumers, parents, employers and providers to implement the grant and put into effect the interagency agreements necessary to access the commitments of resources from all state agencies.

The writers of the grant application emphasized, "We are committed to serving persons with the most severe disabilities. Many project participants may be persons currently residing in state institutions, persons in developmental achievament centers, and persons who are not receiving services. The challenge facing Minnesota is to move from isolated demonstrations of supported employment to full integration of this option into our service delivery system.

-6-

OSERS GRANT (Continued)

For further information, contact: William Niederloh, Director, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Minnesota Department of Jobs and Training, 390 N. Robert St., 5th Floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone]

MINNESOTANS BACK SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROJECT

Success of the supported employment initiative in Minnesota, as described in the article above, will greatly depend upon the amount of cooperation and enthusiasm of the many people, agencies and organizations involved in this mayor effort. The following excerpts from the letters of support included in the grant application reflect such a degree of commitment:

--"One of the top priorities of this Administration is economic development and the creation of Job opportunities for all Minnesotans." Rudy Perpich, Governor.

--"There is a common denominator in all the distressed areas of the state; people with disabilities who have been denied employment opportunities." Roger D. Moe, State Majority Leader.

--"The idea of community-based, supported employment for the severely handicapped is an idea I wholeheartedly endorse." David M. Jennings, Speaker of the House.

--"As evidence of our support for the principles of this grant, we will seek whatever statutory or funding changes are necessary to obtain systemic availability of such options." Leonard W. Levine, Commissioner of the Department of Human Services.

--"As the Department with the primary responsibility for the delivery of employment and related services, we are both interested in and committed to an expanding array of services for the disabled citizens of this state." Joe Samargia, Commissioner of the department o, Jobs and Training.

- "We see supported employment as a critical component of the services

 SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROJECT (Continued)

needed in order to meet the needs of our students in transition from school to adult life." Ruth E. Randall, Commissioner of the Department of Education.

--"County elected and appointed officials will be interested in implementing new alternatives made possible by this grant." Jeff Spartz, President, of the Association of Minnesota Counties.

--"We support your efforts...and stand ready to offer our assistance... " Dan W. Gustatson, President of Minnesota AFLCIO.

--"The Minnesota Association of Commerce and Industry, a collection of over 5,000 businesses, 95 local chambers of commerce, and over 100 trade and professional associations is pleased to lend its support... " Francis M. Fitzgerald, II, Director of Labor/ Management Relations.

--"To support this corporate commitment, our company, working with the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, has pledged to hire 100 disabled persons in 1985." Sue Gordon, Yice-President of Personnel, Radisson Hotel Corporation.

--"We believe the partnership between the public and private sectors exemplify good economic and human resource utilization." Pat C. Brophy, Special Employment Director, McDonald's Corporation.

Limited space in this newsletter prevents the inclusion of other excellent examples. However, the enthusiasm and support is very promising of a very productive and exciting year ahead.

AVAILABITY OF SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ANNOUNCED

Newly acquired knowledge about the complexities of movement, life support, and communication that have been learned in the space program can now be utilized on earth to help people with physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

SPACE TECHNOLOGY (Continued)

On July 18, a new coordinated effort between the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Defense Department was announced. Their primary goal is to make the latest and best technology available to help persons with disabilities.

As a first step, by 1988, a nationwide toll-free telephone service, called "TechNet," will connect people with another part of the program called "Tech-Team," composed of local volunteer groups of defensefaerospace engineers who will work with individuals on a one-toone basis.

For more information, write to: Margaret M. Heckler, Secretary, National Initiative on Technology and the Disabled, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 200 Independence Av. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20201.

(Adapted from Word from Washington, July-August, 1985, p.13).

PUBLICATIONS

Social Security Incentives to Work is a new monograph published by the National Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (NARF). The booklet explains the provisions of the Social Security Di~ability Insurance and Supplementary Security Income to enter or re-enter the workforce without immediate loss of SSDI or SSI payments. Cost is $2.20 from NARF, P.O. Box 17676, Washington, D.C. 20041.

EVENTS

Oct. 31, Nov. 1

"Ethical Concerns and the Evaluation of Rehabilitation Services" is the theme of the 1985 Minnesota Rehabilitation Association Fall Conference to be held at the Sunwood Inn, St. Cloud. Contact: Becky Fink, 8406 Sunset Rd. NE., Spring Lake Park, Minn. 55432.

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YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY. LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS THIS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SUPPLEMENT SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER. TEL. [phone].

Training for Independent Living: Training Manual (Third Edition), Ventura County Association tor the Retarded, Inc., 1978. This manual deacribea a program designed to teach adults with handicaps the skills they need for living independently in the community. Emphasis is plaóod upon the individual's ability to make decisions necessary in everyday life, e.g., making meals, shopping, money management, transportation, personal care, recreation, interpersonal relationships, and more. Checklists and worksheets help both the instructor and the trainer to consider the many details necessary for living independently.

Metropolitan Council DD Program
300 Metro Square Building
7th and Robert Sts.
St. Paul, MN 55101

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please oall [phone], or write to the DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, MN 55101.

TIME DATED MATERIAL

Continuum of Services: School to Work. from Eleventh Institute on Rehabllitation Issues, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Juno 1984. This report is a result of a national study group. Its purpose is to describe the process of how youth with disabilities can benefit from an array of services when making the transition from school to work, postsecondary education, or other postschool aótivities. The primary focus of the report is upon the acquisition of vocational skills and related services.

Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAID

St. Paul, Minn.
Permit No. 7029

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Building
St. Paul. Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356

METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS

CORRECTION

The name of Jim House was omitted from last month's listing of the members of the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee. Mr. House is a provider from Council District No. 9. and represents the Vocational Rehabilitation Division of the Department of
Rehabilitation Services.

We regret this omission.

Additions to Library

The Council's DD Program has added the following publications to its
curriculum library.

--Instructional Strategies for Students with Severe Handicaps, Mar A. Falvey, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co. This book is intended to provide parents, eductors, therapists, counselors and other concerned individuals with strategies for developing and implementing appropriate educational programs for persons with severe handicaps.

--Community Health Education Network (CHEN) Materials. A listing of resources available from the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S. Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. (61` 827-5641 or toll free [phone]

Books and other publications may be borrowed by Metropolitan Area residents for three weeks. They must be picked up and returned in person.

Vol. 10. No. 11
November 1985

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Director, Supported Employment Program

This person will be responsible for the administration of a statewide program of supported employment for persons with severe disabilies.

For further information about this position, see page 6 of this newsletter.

Wanted: Program Specialist for Supported Employment Programs (OSERS grant).

Will assist Program Directors in development and administration of the statewide project. Must have substantial experience and involvement in administration or supervision of programs and services to persons who are developmentally disabled. Prefer experience in federally funded projects and master's degree in rehabilitation, education, psychology or social work.

Salary range: $24,900-$33,000 depending on qualifications. To apply obtain a State of Minnesota application from the Minnesota Department of E~ployee Relations, 3rd Floor, Space Center Bldg., 444 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. The forms are also available from any Job Service Office. Send the completed application with a resume detailing qualifications related to position requirement to: Joann Benesh, Division of Rehabilitation Services, 390 N. Robert St., 5th Floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Applications will be accepted until Friday, November 15, 1985.

Executive Director Needed

The Association for Retarded Citizens Anoka County is seeking an executive director. A Bachelor's Degree, two to five years experience in mental retardation service administration is needed.

Send resume to: Search Committee, ARC Anoka County, 4024 Central Av. NE., Columbia Heights, Minn. 55421. Phone calls will not be accepted.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

OSERS Advisory Committee Needed

The Supported Employment grant that Minnesota received from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) requires establishment of a proJect advisory committee. The committee will number about 20 members and should have broad representation of the many parties interested in supported employment.

Readers who are interested in serving on the committee should request an application from Joann Benesh, DRS, Dept. of Jobs and Training, 390 N. Robert St., 5th Floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55101. The applications must be received by 4:30 p.m., Friday, November 15, 1985.

Members Needed for New Organization

The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) St. Paul is seeking people who are mentally retarded and wish to Join a St. Paul chapter of People First.

People First is an international self-help and self advocacy organization of people with handicaps. This is a group group of people who speak for themselves, make their own decisions, solve their own problems, and learn and exercise the rights and responsibilities of full citizenship. Members also develop ways to contribute to the community and develop goals for the organization.

People First (Continued)

Persons interested in being a part of this new group should call Celente, ARC St. Paul, at (612) 224_3301. The first meeting of the organization will be at 7 p.m. on December 2, a the ARC Office, 65 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul.

Holiday Cards Available

--The Association for Retarded Citizens Dakota County has Chrlstmas cards and holiday calendars for sale. Six designs are the original creations of artists with mental retardation who participated in the ARC national art contest.

The cards are $7 a box of 25 cards, and the calendars are $3.50. Shipping and handling costs for 25-50 cards is an additional $1. 50. To place an order, call Marianne at ( 612) 431 -3700

--A free catalogue of other Christmas cards is available from Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, Minn. 55422. Tel. ( 612) 5880811.

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Handicapped Childrens' Protection Act:

The Senate unanimously passed S.415 on July 30. The amended bill provides legal fees for parents who prove in court or in an administrative hearing that their child's educational rights under P.L. 94142 have been denied. The legislation will also clarity the relation~hip between P.L. 94_142 and Section 504. The Senate passage of 5.415 is a mayor victory for handicapped children and their parents. The House Bill (H.R.1523) must still be voted upon by the full house.

Medicaid Waiver:

The Subcommittee on Health and Environment held an oversight hearing in June to determine whether congressional intent had been met in the administration of the Medicaid Waiver. At the hearing, testimony was heard from a panel of state directors and from a panel of consumers. The legislation (H.R. 3101) intended to

-2-

Medicaid Waiver (Continued)

"reconcile" Medicare/Medicaid budget reductions includes provisions that specifically authorize Medicaid reimbursement for educational and vocational related services which the March HCFA regulations had prohibited. The bill provides services for people leaving institutions but, unfortunately, does not provide the same services to those persons who have always lived in the community. The bill was adopted by the full House Energy and Commerce Committee on August 1.

Social Security Work Incentives:

H.R. 2030 is pending before the Ways and Means Committee and the Education and Labor Committee. The measure would permanently install Section 1619 (SSI) which is currently a waiver that allows persons with severe disabilities to work and retain a portion of their SSI and/or Medicaid benefits. The bill would also establish a grant program to assist employers in hiring and keeping workers with disabilities.

PUBLICATIONS/RESOURCES

--A How to Do it Manual of the Community Health Education Network (CHEN) a program of the Association of Retarded Citizens Minnesota, documents a three year project to help people with mental retardation receive nensitive and appropriate medical and dental care. Staff of the proJect provided technical consultive service to twelve community clinics and several day and residential agencies.

This manual describes the project, now a permanent program of the Association of Retarded Citizens (ARC) Minnesota, and gives guidelines for replication by other agencies.

The book is available for $19.95 plus $1.50 postage from ARC Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 554083669. Tel. [phone] or tollfree, [phone].

Videotape Available

--A 20-minute videotape, "Just Like Me/Just Like You," is available for purchase or rental through the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM). It describes how innovative service arrangements were made for six individuals with mental retardation. The tape was produced for ARRM and the McKnight Foundation by Kris Berg and was narrated by Dave Moore of WCCO television. The cost is $50 if purchased or $10 if rented.

Contact ARRM, 1885 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone] or [phone], toll-free.

--NIMR Publications 1985/86 is a listing of literature and resources from the National Institute on Mental Retardation in Canada and is directed toward parents, providers, students and others. Areas of interest cover normalization, leisure, integration, monitoring and programming.

Contact: NIMR Publications, KinsmeN Bldg. 4700 Keele St., Downsview, Ontario, Canada M33 1P3. Tel. [phone].

BOOKLET AVAILABLE FROM PACER

--A booklet about teenagers with various handicapping conditions, including epilepsy, has been published by the Parents Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER).

The 16-page booklet features vignettes of handicapped teens and their friends wrestling with stereotypes, misconceptions and the ordinary problems of growing up.

Copies are available from the PACER Center, 4826 Chicago Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55417. The cost is $1.50 each or $1 per copy when ordering 10 or more.

-3-

GUARDIANSHIP BROCHURE AVAILABLE

In Minnesota, parents are the natural guardians of their children until the age of 18, at which time they become legal adults and can make their own decisions. Many people are able to do this, but it your son/daughter needs assistance, you may want to consider conservatorship, guardianship, or less restrictive alternatives.

The Guardianship and Conservatorship in Minnesota brochure can explain the options available to you. To obtain your free copy, contact The Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. [phone].

FIELD MANUAL ON TOILET TRAINING

--The U.S. Department of Education has funded a research project which resulted in the development of a field manual entitled Toilet Training for Severely Field Manual (Continued) HandicaPped Children in the Community. The program is designed to toilet train severely handicapped children who have not been successful in learning toileting skills in the past.

The first 100 copies are available at no cost. After that copies may be obtained for the cost of printing and handling.

For further information, contact: Robert L. Roegel, Ph.D., Speech and Hearing Center, University of California, Santa Barbara, Calir. 93106. Tel. [phone].

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

Dec. 5, 6, 7

"Families and Friends" is the theme of the 12th Annual Conference of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) to be held in Boston.

A limited number of volunteers is needed to assist with the conference. In exchange for 12 hours of service,

TASH Conference (Continued)

volunteers will receive a complimentary registration to attend the conference. University students are particularly welcome. If you are interested in this opportunity, contact the TASH Conference Coordinator, 7010 Roosevelt Way NE., Seattle, Wash. 98115. Tel. [phone].

FUTURE EVENTS

Jan 17 - 22

"An Introduction to Normalization through PASS 3" will be held at the Holiday Inn North, North Mankato.

The workshop will be sponsored by the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM). For more information, contact: Jane Wells, ARRM, 1885 University Ave. Suite 90, St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. [phone], or toll-free ( 800) 551 -2211.

Feb. 6, 7, 8

Physically disabled and blind skiers are invited to compete in the 1986 Midwest Region Ski Qualification Race at Spirit Mountain in Duluth.

The event is co-sponsored by the Duluth Clinic, Ltd., and the Duluth Area Services Office of Courage Center. Deadline for registration is December 31. For information and registration forms, contact Mary Lou Donovan at Courage Center-Duluth Area Services, 309 W. First St., Duluth, Minn. 55802. Tel. ,218) 727-6874.

-4-

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
550 Cedar Street
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101

Minnesota State Planning Agency
Roger Strand 612/296-4018
Editor

OVERCOME LEARNED HELPLESSNESS BY EMPOWERING CONSUMERS

In order for true societal integration of persons with handicaps to occur, human service organizations must first allow them the opportunity to participate in the decision making processes which affect their lives. Several practical suggestions for making this happen were offered by a panel of consumers and their representatives at a conference held recently by the National Association of Developmental Disabilities Councils (NADDC) in St. Paul. The following challenges to human service providers were in keeping with the conference theme: "From Values and Vision to Action:"

--Provide "translation services" (e.g., explain Jargon and acronyms) so that consumers can become informed and participating members. (For example, provide brief orientation sessions before a meeting occurs.)

--Agencies with grant-making or contracting authority should require consumer participation on proJect advisory panels.

--Make sure that people labeled "mentally retarded" and/or "severely physically disabled" can participate as board, council, or committee members (e.g. providing transportation).

--Listen to and consult with consumer organizations when making priorities, plans, or funding projects.

--Provide funds for consumer organizations that encourage consumers to become their own self-advocates.

November 1985

--Advocate for state and national statutes and administrative codes that empower consumers by protecting their rights and requiring service providers to a~sist people in having choices, living and working with respect and dignity.

--Create employment programs that give consumers real jobs with real pay and give consumers real choices (economic power).

--Advocate for and fund model programs that assist consumers to have and maintain a wide variety of nonpaid and nondisabled friends and support systems (social power).

--Support and advocate for "family" supports so that consumers can have "common" and "typical" family experiences and not have to live in institutions or nursing homes, etc.

--Make sure that consumers participate in, are present at, and can afford to attend training programs or conferences about services for people with developmental disabilities.

--Advocate for community acceptance of people with disabilities as valuable, worthwhile, participating, and contributing members of the community.

--Involve consumers in PASS (Policy Analysis of Service Systems) Workshops so that they too can learn about the concepts of normalization.

--Assist consumers to learn about and participate in government and the legislative process at the local, state and federal levels (political power).

Empowering Consumers (Continued)

More information can be obtained from the conference presenters by contacting: Robert Furman, People First of Washington, P.0. Box 381, Tacoma, Wash. 98401. Tel. [phone]

SURPLUS PROPERTY PROGRAM CAN SAVE MONEY

The Federal Surplus Property Property Program is a state-operated distribution center that can help cut budget costs. Agencies eligible to participate are local and state units of government, agencies created by government, educational institutions, public health agencies, senior citizen organizations, libraries, museums, public service agencies and nonprofit organizations.

All surplus property is offered to eligible participants at low service charges, a fraction of the cost if bought on the retail market. Over 1,200 items are in stock, ranging from office equipment and supplies to musical instruments, clothing, hardware, plumbing and electrical supplies, vehicles, and more.

Request eligibility information by calling [phone] or [phone].

POSITION ANNOUNCED

Director, Supported Employment Programs This person will be responsible for the administration of a statewide program of supported employment for persons with severe disabilities. Responsibilities include overall program and budget management as well as supervisison of project staff and consultants. Management of the prodect will be carried out under an interagency agreement between four state agencies: the departments of Human Services, Jobs and Training, Education and the State Planning Agency.

The applicant must have substantial experience in the administration or supervision of programs involving services to persons with disabilities,

Position Announced (Continued) including significant involvement with programs for persons with severe disabilities. Experience in grant management, especially federally {unded proJects, is preferred. A Master's Degree in rehabilitation, education, psychology, or social work is desired.

Applications will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 8, 1985. To apply: 1) complete a standard State of Minnesota application form, obtained from Minnesota Department of Employee Relations, 3rd floor, Space Center Bldg., 444 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, Minn. 55101; 2) attach resumd and send to Joann Benesh, Division of Rehabilitation Services, 390 N. Robert St., 5th floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55101.

NAME CHANGES ANNOUNCED

--At a special general meeting held in Montreal on June 22, members of the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded changed the name of the Association to: The Canadian Association for Community Living. "Such a name will not only reflect the goal of the Association, which is to promote community living for all mentally handicapped Canadians," said the president, Dr. Andre Blanchet, "but also our willingness to stop labeling those persons we seek to help.

--The Board of Directors of the Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM) has approved a name change. me new name, to be formally adopted at the annual meeting in November, will be the "Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota." This name will permit the continued use of the acronym ARRM.

Harold Tapper, executive director, said that the new name not only reflects the current membership, but also reflects the present-day focus on services rather than facilities in Minnesota and elsewhere. For more information about ARRM, call [phone] or [phone] toll-free.

PUBLICATIONS

Annie's Coming Out, Rosemary Crossley and Anne McDonald, Penguiun Books, 1984. Price $3.95 plus $1 handling (paperback). From Australia, this portrayal of Anne McDonald, co-author, who was severely disabled at birth with cerebral palsy, is another confirmation of the universality of Erving Goffman's (Asylums, 1961) classic observations about the process of dehumanization in institutional settings. This is a moving story of an advocate's (Rosemary Crossley) patient battle to establish communication with Anne through her own imaginative teaching devices and the eventual use of new technologies (e.g., automatic page turners and computerized typewriters) as they became available. The discovery of intelligence, a real person, a unique individual, behind the wall of substantial deformity and uncontrollable movements makes one wonder how many more "Annies" there are who are just waiting to be recognized. Order from: Penguin Paperback Order Department, Viking Penguin, Inc., 299 M~rray Hill Parkway E., Rutherford, Nd 07073. Tel. [phone], ext. 291. This book may also be ordered from The Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (MNASH). Write MNASH, Box 1837, Pioneer Station, St. Paul, Minn. 55101 and include your check for $5.

Parent Advocacy: Changing Expectations/ Planning for the Future, Legal Advocacy for Developmentally Disabled Persons in Minnesota, Minneapolis, Aug. 1984. This manual is a guide for parents as they advocate for their son or daughter with a disability. Each section offers questions and ideas to think about when planning, reviewing, and creating day services. Advocacy techniques are suggested. Chapter headings include: public education, normalization, competitive employment, vocational training, day services and financial support. The final chapter described the role of the parent as advocate. A limited number of free copies are available from the Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

Publications (Continued)

--Minnesota Developmental Disabilities Program Publications, State Planning Agency, 1985. A convenient brochure that lists publications from the Developmental Disabilities Prgram, with an order form, is now available. Major categories include planning, Policy Analysis Series Related to the Welech Consent Decree, state hospital studies, briefing books for policy makers, advocacy, public awareness and demonstration grants. For copies of the brochure, contact: Governor's Planning Council on on Developmental Disabilities, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

EVENTS

Nov. 7

The 50th anniversary of the passage of Title V of the Social Security Act will be celebrated in Minnesota as "Maternal and Child Health Day" as proclaimed by Governor Rudy Perpich. Several events, including a press conference, seminar, and dinner are scheduled throughout the afternoon and evening. For further information, contact: Anne Kanne, Minnesota Department of Health, 717 SE Delaware St., P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. Tel. [phone].

Nov. 21 (Rochester
Dec. 5 (Virginia-Eveleth)

The Minnesota Office on Volunteer Services will be presenting two Special Regional Conferences on Volunteerism at the following locations: Hoffman House, Midway Motor Lodge, 1517 SW 16th St., Rochester; and Eveleth Holiday Inn, Highway 53, Eveleth. Fee is $26. Contact Minnesota Office on Volunteer Services, 500 Rice St., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel. [phone] (Metro) or (800) 6529747 toll-free.
 .

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The state Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS MAY BE BORROWED FROM THE STATE OFFICE ONLY, LOCATED AT THE ADDRESS ON THE FRONT SHEET OF THE STATE SECTION OF THIS NEWSLETTER.

Liability Issues in Community-Based Program:  Legal Principles, Problem Areas, and Recommendations,  A. VanBiervliet and J. Sheldon-Wildgen, Paul H. Brooks Publishing Co., 1981. This book provides a practical approach to the legal principles surrounding negligence and other liability issues facing persons who are developing, operating, or monitoring communitybased residential or day training programs that serve physically or mentally disabled persons or Juveniles. The authors maintain that acquiring an accurate understanding of the legal issue~ is both a professional and an ethioal requirement. Helpful recommendations are made on how to minimize injuries, avoid destructive lawsuits and conduct positive programs that enable clients to cope with personal and environmental demands.

Metropolitan Council DD Program 300 Metro Square Building 7th and Robert Sts. St. Paul, MN 55101

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call (612) 291-6B63, or write to the DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, MN 55101.

(TIME-DATED MATERIAL)

We Are Not Alone: Learning to Live With Chronic Illness, Sefra Kobrin Pitzele, Thompson and Company, Minneapolis, 1985. Common among those who are newly diagnosed with a chronic illness is their lack of preparedness for the adaptations and adjustments dictated by their specific illness. This book fills such a void. Sefra Pitzele ("Pitts-lee"), has lupus and from this experience provides the down-to-earth information and sensitivity necessary to communicate what she has learned to others with similar conditions. Beside being a comprehensive guide, the book offers encouragement and hope.

Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage
PAI3

St. Paul, Minn.
Permit No. 7029

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council

Metropolitan Council
300 Metro Square Guilding
St. Paul, Minnesota 55101
Toni Lippert: 291-6364
Terrence Kayser: 291-6356


METROPOLITAN COUNCIL DD
PROGRAM NEWS

If you do not receive this newsletter every month, please notify Marjorie Sepell, DD Program, Metropolitan Council, 300 Metro Square B/ag., St. Paul, Minn. or telephone [phone] TDD 29l-0904.


EVALUATION REPORT

An evaluation report of the second year of the Council's DD Community Work Training Project reinforces the project's basic assumptions:

* Persons who are severely disabled have the right to opportunities for competitive employment.
* Limitations imposed by such severe handicaps cannot be assumed to be predictors of job
performance.
* Appropriate supports can maintain a person who is severely disabled in competitive employment.
* Job failure/termination is largely due to inadequacies in the support provided or to changes in market conditions, rather than to the limitations imposed by the disabilities of a person.
* Improvements in staff competencies can result in improved outcomes for the individuals they serve.

Twelve staff from four adult day program agencies learned the skills needed to obtain supported employment for their clients who are developmentally disabled, 35 clients were employed, in enclaves, in food service, housekeeping, and custodial work.  They worked from 6-20 hours a week and earned from $10.08 to $40 per week.  Prior to this time, their earnings ranged from $.0 to $13.40 per week.  Seventten clients had no previous work experience outside their program facility.  These clients will require continued supervision by their service agency in order to maintain their jobs.

Vol. 10 No. 11
Decomber 1985

Evaluation Report (Continued)

Six other staff of the adult programs were trained to obtain individual placements in local businesses. 27 clients were employed, trained and shif ted to the employer's supervision. They worked from 8-40 hours per week (average - 27.5 hours) and earned from $3.35 to $S.75 (per hour). Weekly wages ranged from $32 to $174 (average - $95.52). Prior to this program these clients earned from $4 - $187.60 per week (average $48.S9). It should be noted that several clients who were earning above $150 a week in a facility elected to work in competitive employment even though it meant reduced weekly earnings at the outset.

The CWTP also assisted staff of two agencies to learn how to obtain and use community-based, integrated sites for teaching functional skills needed to live as independently as possible in the community. 27 clients received an average of 2.3 hours per week (ranged 5 to 6 hours) in such sites. Lack of time in the project period and inadequate agency resources limited this activity to fewer clients being served and less hours of off-site programming than had been proposed.

The Metropolitan Council's project has demonstrated the feasibility of persons who are severely disabled obtaining and maintaining employment in community businesses. It also has pioneered some innovative strategies to assist the adult day program agencies to provide these employment opportunities.  One of these strategies included development of a unique joint-funding agreement between specialized services traditionally uded for persons with handicaps (adult day program agencies and the Division of Rehabilitative Services) and generic resources typically udes by non-handicapped individuals (an area vocational technical institute and a private business).  The combination of resources pays for up to 359 hours of on-the-job training for persons with severe disabilities who receive wages as they learn the job skills.

Evaluation Report (Continued)

The project evaluation report also identified problems encountered by adult day program agencies, vocational counselors, employers, parents and the Metropolitan Council's project staff during this transition. These have been reported tO the Governor's Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitation Services and the Metropolitan Council who were the major funders of the project.

The Metropolitan Council's project is currently in its third and final year. It will continue to explore new service and funding strategies with a particular focus on developing a flexible procedure for longterm followup of employed persons to assure job retention.

Projects of this type will be replicated throughout the state as Minnesota implements its new Supported Employment Project funded by the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services (OSERS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The achievements of the Metropolitan Council's project, along with other similar projects in other parts of the state, provided ample documentation that employment opportunities could be made available to all persons in Minnesota who have severe handicapping conditions. It is reasonable to assume that such evidence lent significant weight to Minnesota being awarded the OSERS Supported Employment grant of almost half a million dollars for each of the next five years.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Job Coaches Needed

Persons interested in employment as job coaches for the Metropolitan Council's Developmental Disability's Community Work Training Project are invited to call Terrence Kayser at (612) 291-63S6. Irregular hours; $4.7S - $6 per hour.

Organizer Needed for Battered Handicapped Women

Job Description: On a part-time basis, organizes handicapped battered women throughout the State of Minnesota (primarily using existing organizations/ networks) to assist in the creation of an inclusive statewide battered women's network. Training and orientation will be provided.

Stipend/Reimbursement $500 is available to support the organizer's activities. This can be used for mileage and child care expenses and to support organizer's worl:.

NOTE: This position is contingent on the receipt of funding on the Department of Corrections Battered Women Program.

Employment (Continued)

Deadline for application is December 23, 1985. For application and more information: contact Minnesots Coalition for Battered Women, 435 Aldine St., St. Paul, Minn. 55104, or call Kate or Sue [phone].

PUBLICATIONS

Project REACH Materials Arailable

The California Research Institute on the Integration of Students with Severe Disabilities (CRI) is entering its fourth year conducting research on variables involved in the integration process, providing technical assists~nce, and disseminating "best practice" information to districts in the transition process. The Institute receives many requests from throughout the nation for materials to assist school districts with the integration process. There are four manuals and an observational assessment of social interaction, developed by Project REACH and available on microfiche through the ERIC system. They are:

-The Project REACH Administrator's Manual (PRAM) #ED 242 185 provides integration rationale, specific systems change strategies and logistical information. 112 pages; cost is $9.15.

-The Awareness and /nservice Manual (AIM) ERIC #ED 242 182, provides systematic disability education and attitude change strategies to promote acceptance of and social interaction among regular education students and staff. It also describes peer tutoring and peer buddy program descriptions at elementary and secondary age levels. 155 pages; cost is $12.65.

-The Parents and Community Together Manual (PACT), ERIC #242 183, focuses on ways parents of students with severe disabilities can work together with community organizations for advocacy, information sharing, and as trainers to provide disability education within integrated schools and the community. 185 pages; cost is S14.40.

-The Inventory Process for Social /nteraction Manua/ (IPSIJ ERIC #ED 242 181, a curriculum strategies guide for assessing and programming social skill nesds of severdy disabled students. 191 pages; cost is S14.40.

-Educationa/ Assessment of Socia/ tnteraction (checklist with directions) (EASI), ERIC, #ED 242 184, a program evaluation tool that measure four dimensions of soc~al interaction. 17 pages; $2.15.

Publications (Continued)

Because of their size and cost of reproduction, the manuals are only available from: the ERIC Clearinghouse on Handicapped and Gifted Children, 1920 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091. Tel. [phone].

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Volunteers Needed

There are plenty of volunteer openings for adults in the Metro Area who would like to participate in the "Partners in Friendship" program sponsored by the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Hennepin County.

The program matches community volunteers with people with mental retardation who need a friend to help them develop social and recreational skills. The current need is for volunteers to work with adults from 18-50 years of age, many of whom have waited for months to find a companion.

Matches are arranged on the basis of similar interests, needs, age and location. Partners usually meet once or twice a month for an evening or weekend activitity.

Training, ongoing inservice and plenty of support are all available to participants. For more information, call Kim Keprios at [phone].

Request for Information

In the first week of October, Senator John Chafee began placing in the Congressional Record letters and stories about people with severe disabilities and their struggles to live in the community. He requests that readers write letters or news articles to him that can be put in the Congressional Record. These letters should describe the critical need for or succesful ventures in family and community living by people with severe disabilities. Many stories are needed to help educate Congress about the need to redirect Medicaid dollars to community services.

Letters or other information should be sent to Senator John Chafee, 523 SDOB, Washington, DC 20201.

WINTER PROGRAMS

--Camp Friendship offers winter camping at its Clearwater Lake site, 60 miles northwest of the Twin Cities. Various four or five-day sessions (cost varies from $150 to $225) are available as are weekend sessions (cost is $90). The various winter camping sessions are offered between Dec. 27 and Feb. 2. Contact Camp Friendship at [phone] for information, applications and brochures.

--Eden Wood Camping and Retreat Center offers winter camping at its Birch Island Lake site in Eden Prairie. Two sessions are available for youths and adults with mental retardation and one session is for families.

For information on costs or for applications and brochures, contact Tom Gode at [phone].

RESPITE CARE SERVICES

-- The Sunshine Day Care Center in Arden Hills offers care for children with special needs. Fulltime and drop-in care is available for children birth through 12 years from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Care for older children can also be arranged. For more information, call Heidi Bibeau or Dorinda Fodstad at [phone].

-- The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) Dakota County has nine people who will provide respite care for families who live in Dakota or Ramsey Counties. For more information on the program call Lory Perryman at 431-3700.

WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES

Dec. 12

"Mealtime Skills for Learners with Severe and Multiple Handicaps", a workshop sponsored by the University of Minnesota Consortium for the Education of Severely Handicapped Learners, will be held at the William Mitchell College of Law, Room 111, 875 Summit Av., St. Paul.

The morning session ( 9 am. - 12 p.m.) deals with "Issues in Food Selection and Preparation," and the afternoon session (1- 4 p.m.) deals with "Teaching Eating Skills."

This inservice is open to all special educators, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and other related service professionals. There is no charge for attending this service, but pre-registration is required. Contact the Consortium Institute at [phone].




INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Developmental Disabilities Program
201 Capitol Square Building
330 Cedar St.
St. Paul, Minnesota  55101

STATE
SUPPLEMENT

Minnesota State Planning Agency
Roger Strand, Editor
612/296 -4018

Member of
National Association of
Developmental Disabilities
Councils

December 1985

TEAM SELECTED ON
TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Governor Rudy Perpich recently announced the names of persons who will serve on a new Team on Technology and People with Disabilities. The team is to recommend ways to increase the use of technology by people with disabilities. A two-year plan is to be developed that will recommend strategies to increase awareness of technology, provide access to technological devices, and review the funding available for technologies for people with disabilities. The plan is to be presented to the Governor in March 1986.

Those selected to serve on the team are as follows:

--Rachel Wobschall, Chair, Executive Director, Governor's Open Appointments Commission;
--Budd and Dolores Hagen, Editors, Closing the Gap, Henderson;
--William Niederloh, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Rehabilitation Service, Department of Jobs and Training,
--Ronald Kaliszewski, Grants manager, Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency;
--Cyndy Crist, Governor's Office of Science and Technology, Department of Energy and Economic Development;
--Linda Carroll, Legislative Assistant to Senate Majority Leader;
--Michael O'Donnell, Governor's Office of BioMedical Technology;
--Kent Kehberg, Minnesota Education Compuhng Corporation;
--Sharon K. Patten, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs;
--Marty Carlson, Gillette Hospital; Ray Fulford, Courage Center;
--Tricia McTaggert, Department of Human Services; Gregg W. Asher, Mankato;
--Suzanne Yotti, health care provider, Blaine; Gary TegTortenhais, Minneapolis; and
--Sandy Anderson, St. Paul.

Team Selected (Continued)

Readers may direct questions or ideas to: Rachel Wobschall, Chair, Team on Technology and People with Disabilities, Governor's Office, Room 130, State Capitol, St. Paul, Minn. 55155.

TECHNOLOGY PROMISES
INCREASED INDEPENDENCE AND PARTICIPATION FOR
MINNESOTANS WITH HANDICAPS

"There are many ways that new technologies can be used to help people with disabilities to become more independent and better able to participate in everyday activities" explained Rachel Wobschall, who was inteniewed recently in her office at the State Capitol. Wobschall, who serves as Chair of the new Team on Technology and People with Disabilities (see previous article) exclaimed "These are exciting times, indeed!"

The establishment of the team was a new initiative by Governor Rudy Perpich's after Wobschall participated in the planning of the Governor's Conference, "Reaching Toward New Horizons: Technology and Innovation in Living for Persons with Disabilities," held October 4-5 at the St. Paul Civic Center. It was apparent to Perpich that although Minnesota hosts many technological resources, these resources do not seem to be as readily available as they could be for persons with disabilities. "The establishment of the team is our first step toward bringing together and tapping into such resources," Wobschall said. "We all have so much to learn, for no one person on the team knows everything," she continued. "It is our mutual challenge to increase our awareness, create avenues toward accessing existing resources and finding the money to make it all happen. It will take a lot of hard work," Wobschal concluded.

MINNESOTA SELECTED FOR
EMPLOYMENT PLANNING
PROJECT

The Council of State Planning Agencies (CSPA), Washington, D.C. recently announced that Minnesota has been selected as one of six states to participate in a policy development Academy on employment. This effort was funded by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The CSPA, formed in 1966, is a nonprofit membership organization comprised of key executive policy aides in the fifty states and U.S. territories. It provides management training and technical assistance for its members and administers the State Scanning Network through which states identify emerging issues. The Council conducts state-oriented research in economic development, human resources and natural resources; staga roundtables, academies and conferences and publishes books, working papers and policy papers.

The Academy process has proven effective in developing and implementing policies at the state level, and in promoting successful gubernatorial and agency coalitions in order to realize the objectives of policy initiatives. The Academy will work with state teams, consisting of four to eight individuals representing the governor's office, the state MR/DD agency, the economic development department, the department of education, job training programs, and community organizations. The purpose of the Academy is to help states develop action plans and implement policy initiatives to facilitate employment as an option for individuals with a range of abilities.

The Academy series will consist of two multi-day Academy work sessions with interim site visits, and will focus on specific barriers to self-sufficiency which state government has the power to remove or reduce, as well as the full range of resources which state government may bung to bear in fostenng economic self-sufficiency.

The criteria used in selecting states included: a strong commitment from the governor to the policy effort; the caliber and breadth of the team the state plans to assemble, the policy process and the clarity of the state's objectives in engaging in the process.

"This an exciting opportunity for the states participating in this project," said Jean Elder, Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PLAN PUBLISHED

A "Health Plan for Mothers and Children of Minnesota" was recently released which documented problems and projected remedies and goals. "Getting medical attention early in pregnancy is an essential health practice for both mothers and babies, but more than one fifth of Minnesota pregnant women don't visit health care providers until the second trimester or later," the report stated.

Other problems identified included: a) Only 31 percent of the public schools in Minnesota provide early intervention programs to serve children with handicaps; b) Minnesota has no uniform system of identifying handicapped and "at risk" children before the age of three.

In addition, the report stated that 55 percent of the state's counties have no subsidized family planning services, even though there are more than 250,000 lowincome women of birth-giving age in Minnesota who could benefit from such service. A high priority goal in the plan is to assure that 70 percent of the 87 counties provide low-cost family planning services by 1990.

Other goals in the plan are to increase the number of women to seelc care early in pregnancy in an effort to cut the risk of premature birth, congenital health problems and infant deaths, cut infant mortality rates, particularly among blacks and Indians; start injury prevention programs in all counties to deal with issues such as poisonings and household accidents and promote use of automobile seat belts and child restraints.

About $11.6 million a year is spent in Minnesota in maternal and child health programs; $7.5 million from the federal block grants, $1.1 million from state cigarette tax revenues, $1 million in state family planning funds and $2 million for treatment of handicapped children.

For more information and for copies of the State Plan, contact Anne Kane, Maternal and Child Health, Department of Health, 717 Delaware St. SE., Minneapolis, Minn. 55440. Tel. [phone].

MORTGAGE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE OF HANDICAPPED - ACCESSIBLE HOUSING

As part of the 1985 Single Family Home Loan Program, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) is making mortgage money available to assist physically disabled home buyers purchase thdr first home. To be

 Mortgage Funds (Continued)

eligible, persons must meet simple guidelines. They must be disabled or have a disabled person as a member of the household (excludes visual and hearing impairments) and must be purchasing "accessible housing" which eliminates architectural barriers to a person's mobility.

This includes new construction, existing accessible housing or existing conventional housing that can be modified to become accessible housing. Single family homes, including condominiums and townhomes, as well as existing duplexes are eligible under the program.

For a list of participating lenders, or more information, call the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency at [phone] or toll-free [phone] and ask for "Home".

DECTALK GRANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

The Digital Equipment Corporation has announced the avaihbility of a 60 percent grant (for non-profit organizations who serve handicapped persons) toward the purchase of a DECTALK unit. Qualified organizations can receive a $2,400 grant toward the acquisition of a DECTALK-- a voice synthesizer which turns computer text into a high quality speech. Proposals are due January 1, 1986.

For more information and for application, contact: Digital Equipment Corporation, 146 Main St., Maynard, Mass. 01754- 2571. Tel. [phone].

RESNA 1986 CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR MINNEAPOLIS- -PAPERS SOLICITED

The Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America (RESNA) will hold its 9th Annual Conference at the Radisson South Hotel in Minneapolis on June 23-26, 1986. The theme of the conference will be "Employing Technology", which will emphasize practical application of technology in vocational, educational and independent living settings. papers are invited for both traditional and poster sessions. All accepted papers are published as a "Proceedings" and will be distributed at the conference. For more information, contact RESNA, Suite 700, 1101 Connecticut Av. N.W., Washington, DC., 20036. Tel. [phone].

PUBLICATIONS

--"Technologieal Aids and Information: Resource Guide", Rick Lupacchino (Ed.,) Florida, 1985. This guide presents several major areas in which the current application of technology is significantly affecting the lives of persons with disabilities. Access to appropriate technology can make the difference in a disabled person's ability to communicate, to be mobile, to live more independently, to receive an education and to work. Technology can help to foster independence and to gain control over one's environment. It can facilitate the integration of many disabled people into community settings. The guide serves as a link between the service provider who needs to know more about technological devices and where to find them and those persons and agencies who know about such technology. Free copies are available from: Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Building, 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. [phone].

--"Very Special Arts Minnesota," 1985. This brochure describes the iformation of a renewed effort in Minnesota to build cohesion among teachers and create a more unified approach to arts education for persons with disabilities. The mission of Very Special Arts Minnesota (VSA/MN) is to promote the establishment, improvement and expansion of arts programs and services to handicapped Minnesotans of all ages. VSA/MN is affiliated with the National Committee of Arts for the Handicapped. For a copy of a brochure and to learn how to become involved, contact Jachn Clare, Chair, Very Special Arts/MN, 2121 S. 9th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55404.

YEARNING FOR LEARNING

The State Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. The following materials may be borrowed from the State Office only, located at the address on the front sheet of the State Suppement section of this newsletter. Tel. [phone].

"Rehabilitation Associate Training for Employed Staff (Curriculum Guide)", Elsworth Community College, Iowa, 1979. This is a curriculum guide for providing in-service training for rehabilitation personnel. It comprises 15 booklets covering such topics as: history and philosophy of rehabilitation, supportive therapies, physical handling, medications, care standards, legal issues, normalization and physical/behavioral indicators of medical problems. The curriculum also covers several disabilities, e.g. cerebral palsy, autism, emotional disorders and brain injury. While exhibiting many desirable features, this curriculum may need updating and certain adaptations to Minnesota programs. However, it can serve as an excellent base upon which to build.

Metropolitan Council DD Program
300 Metro Square Building
7th and Robert Streets
St. Paul, MN 5Sl01

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call [phone], or write to the DD Proaram, Metrooolitan Council 300 Metro Square BIdg., St. Paul, MN 55101.

(TIME-DATED MATERIAL)

"Community Hedth Education Network (CHEN): A How to Do It Manual," Association for Retarded Citizens (RC) Minnesota, 198S. This manual documents how a three-year project became a permanent program provided by the Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota.  It also serves as a guide for replication by other agencies. CHEN'S purpose is to sensitize and increase the awareness of health care professionals about mental retardation and to assist residential providers and persons with mental retardation in utilizing community health services appropriately. Through CHEN's lending library, consultation services and workshops, a wealth of practical information has become available for fostering independent living in socially integrated settings. Copies of the manual may be purchased for S19.95 plus S1.50 postage from: ARC Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. [phone], or [phone], toll-free.

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