The Arc Minnesota Position Statements Task Force and The Arc Minnesota Public Policy Committee have looked over drafts of three existing position statements of The Arc Minnesota that are up for review this year.

We are asking members of The Arc for their feedback on these drafts through an online survey, as we have done in the past. Here’s the link to that survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CT6D3MT

This is an opportunity for members of The Arc to have a say in the positions that govern The Arc Minnesota’s work at the State Capitol and other public policy advocacy efforts. Let us know your thoughts and feedback. Comments are due by 9 a.m. Friday, July 19. Thanks in advance for your help!

 Special Olympics Bowling registration is open

Get ready for some strikes, good friends and fun memories, because it is time once again for Bowling.

Special Olympic bowlers must have a current Special Olympics form on file at The Arc Mower County. These forms must be updated every three years and do require a physician’s signature.

Athletes will not be allowed to participate in practices or competitions without an updated form.

Bowling will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sept. 11 – March 19, 2014 at Echo Lanes in Austin. The season cost is $20 for members or $24 for non members, Scholarships are available.

Tournaments will be held in October (Austin) and November (Lakeville).

Applicants wanted

New stakeholder opportunities to participate in statewide advisory groups were created by legislation passed during the 2013 Legislative Session.

One of the opportunities is the Special Education Case Loads Task Force. This task force will develop recommendations for the appropriate numbers of students with disabilities that may be assigned to a teacher, both with and without paraprofessional support in the classroom.

It will also develop recommendations for cost-effective and efficient strategies and structures to improve student outcomes. In addition, the task force must identify state rules that should be revised to align with state statute.

There will be at least 10 members on the task force, with representation from school districts, including special education teachers, and advocacy organizations, including parents of children with disabilities.

Meetings are held on a monthly basis for about three hours per meeting at the Minnesota Dept. of Education offices in Roseville, Minn. The Arc Minnesota would like to ensure that there is strong representation from the advocacy community on this task force.

For information on how to apply to be a task force member, go to the link on the Secretary of State’s website.

 Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102. You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook (arcmc), Twitter (arcmc1952) and YouTube (arcmowercounty).