The Best Life Alliance 2019 Legislative Proposal ends a destabilizing cut to community-based disability services rates due to federal action.

The bill takes steps to address the severe workforce shortage impacting the critical supports accessed by over 30,000 Minnesotans with disabilities to live and work in their communities.

32,000 Minnesotans with disabilities rely on community-based services to live their best lives, 95 percent of which are paid for by Medical Assistance.  Payment rates for these services are set by the state, and directly effect staff wages.

Communications between the federal and state government in February 2018 resulted in a cut to the reimbursement for community-based disability services by 7 percent, greatly destabilizing an already unstable system.  This was not a legislated action and state law still allocates this funding as legislators intended, to Minnesotans with disabilities.

Legislation addressing this critical issue of preserving access to community-based disability services is unfinished business and should be moved immediately – it received broad bi-partisan, bicameral support during the 2018 legislative session  and was included in the final Omnibus Supplemental Spending bill that eventually vetoed by Governor Dayton.

Not addressing this cut sends Minnesota in the wrong direction, threatening the services and supports Minnesotans with disabilities need in order to be as independent as possible in their communities.

Minnesota must show we value disability services and the workers who provide these supports. Passing the Best Life Alliance legislation will enact much needed reforms to the rate setting system for these critical services.

Chicken dumpling soup and chili supper fundraiser for People First Aktion Club

When: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5 (Postponed from Tuesday, Jan. 29) at the Mower County Senior Center, 400 3rd Ave NE, Austin

Tickets: $7 for adults and $5 for children (ages 4-10) in advance; $9 for adults and $7 for children (ages 4-10) at the door. Children ages 3 and under are free. Tickets are available at The Arc office or at the door.  Meal Includes your choice of chicken dumpling soup and/or chili, beverage and dessert.

We need your help to get to the Minnesota Twins game

We need your help to raise $700 to rent a coach bus to get to the Minnesota Twins game on Saturday, May 11.

With the convenience of a coach bus, we will be dropped off at Target Field and we don’t have to worry about securing a seat on the return train trip back to the Mall of America.

We have 25 people attending the game. If you can help, please mail your donation to:  The Arc Mower County, 401 2nd Avenue NE, Austin, MN 55912 with Twins 2019 in the subject line or you can visit www.thearcmc.org/donate to make a donation.  If you have any questions, please call 507-433-8994 or email office@thearcmc.org.

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Upcoming Events

•Monday: Arc/4-H Adventure Club, Special Membership Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting
•Tuesday: Chicken dumpling soup ad chili supper fundraiser – https://tinyurl.com/y94jvwke
•Wednesday: Special Olympics Bowling and Open Gym
•Thursday: Kitchen Creations.
•Friday: Valentine’s party; Monster Energy AMA Supercross at US Bank Stadium

•Feb. 12: Sweetheart Dance
•Feb. 13: Special Olympics Bowling and Open Gym
•Feb. 14: Self-Advocates Minnesota Meeting
•Feb. 15: Open Center

24th Annual Rose Sale Fundraiser – www.thearcmc.org/rose-sale
Ninth annual Taste of Mower County – www.thearcmc.org/tomc2019