A major organizational change at the federal level could give significantly more voice to those working on developmental disability issues.

The shift creates a new Administration for Community Living within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The new entity will join together three existing bodies — the Administration on Developmental Disabilities, the Office on Disability and the Administration on Aging — under one umbrella to serve seniors and those with disabilities.

Obama administration officials and disability advocates say the bureaucratic change could pay big dividends long-term for people with special needs by pushing disability issues up the food chain at the cabinet-level agency. Specifically, they say, a big plus is that the new head of the community living administration will have a seat at the decision-making table as an assistant secretary directly reporting to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

What’s more, government officials working on developmental disability issues say the shift will allow them to better reflect the lifelong needs of their constituency.  In addition to joining with the Office on Disability and the Administration on Aging, the agency is also undergoing a name change. As of this week, the agency will now be called the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, reflecting a similar terminology update undertaken by numerous entities nationwide.

 What is Housing Access Services

Housing Access Services helps eligible Minnesota adults with disabilities seek and locate suitable, affordable, accessible housing. Who is eligible for Housing Access Service?  Adult Minnesotans of all ages who have been assessed as eligible for Minnesota Medicaid home care or waiver services and who want to move to homes of their own.

Housing Access Services can:

·Help people move to a place of their own from a group home or assisted living facility.

•Accompany you when you look for housing.

•Help complete rental applications and lease agreements.

•Meet and negotiate with landlords or property staff.

•Help with applications for publicly financed housing.

•Help develop household budgets.

•Assist with finding affordable furnishings and related household matters.

•Pack and move your belongings.

•Assist with application fees and deposits.

Please contact Tammy with any suggestions, comments or concerns that you may have with your current living situation and see if she can help you move into a home of your own.  Tammy can be reached by phone at (507) 433-8994, Ext. 103 or tammy@arcmowercounty.org

 Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc of Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org. You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.