What if you could help The Arc of Mower County win $1000 just by giving 10 bucks?

On Wednesday, Give to the Max Day, you can. Join The Arc of Mower County for the “Great Minnesota Give Together” by making an online donation. Visit our website at www.arcmowercounty.org and click on Donate.

 Temporary Injunction stops

20 percent Relative PCA Cut

On Oct. 26, Judge Dale Lindman, Ramsey County District Court, issued a temporary restraining order to stop DHS from implementing the 20 percent wage cut to personal care attendants (PCAs) who support family members with disabilities.

The Arc Minnesota has actively worked on this issue since the end of the legislative session, expressing our concerns and sharing individual stories with the governor, Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Lucinda Jesson and legislators.

We are pleased with the judge’s action, but we still need to keep up our advocacy efforts with legislators in case we ultimately need a legislative solution.

The lawsuit was filed by 10 PCA agencies and several PCAs and PCA recipients. We applaud the courage they have demonstrated in taking this action. A hearing will be held in 30 days to review the merits of the case. There were a number of media articles on this lawsuit, including coverage in the Star Tribune.

How can you support the lawsuit? Here are two ways:

Continue to share your personal story with your legislator about the harm created by the PCA cut. Write letters to the editor. We cannot assume the courts will resolve this issue, and we need to be prepared to go to the Legislature.

We have been asked to help identify any individuals who have been seriously impacted by the PCA cut who would be interested in testifying. Serious impact means having to move to a more institutional placement (i.e., nursing home, assisted living, etc.) or losing key relative caregivers. If you fit these criteria and are interested in the possibility of testifying, please contact Anni Simons at 651-523-0823, ext. 112 or asimons@arcmn.org .

Upcoming Events

Monday: Minnesota Vikings, 7 p.m.

Tuesday: Health and Wellness Wii Fit Class, 4 to 5 p.m.; open center — Karaoke, 6 to 8 p.m.

Wednesday: Mower County Special Olympics Bowling, 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Thursday: Cooking for Comfort — Thanksgiving Dinner, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Friday: Country Hoedown Dance, 6 to 8 p.m.

Saturay, Nov. 19: Women’s Night Out — Shopping in Rochester and dinner at Olive Garden, 1:30 to 7:30 p.m.