The Arc of Mower County is selling raffle tickets for The Special Olympics.

The cost is $5 per ticket and all of the money stays in Mower County.

Prizes include:  Autographed Minnesota Twins memorabilia, $1,000 Cash prize, 32” Flat Screen TV and the Grand Prize is the Minnesota Twins First Pitch Package. This is a once in a lifetime experience, giving the winner an opportunity to throw the first pitch at a Twins game and will receive two tickets.

Winners will be announced on March 3, 2012.  You don’t need to be present to win. Call The Arc of Mower County at (507) 433-8994 or email office@arcmowercounty.org if you are interested.

 News and Views from The Arc of Minnesota

Eight-hundred, ninety individuals on the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waiver and 1,756 individuals on the Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI) waiver living in corporate foster care homes or customized living (sometimes called assistive living) will receive a 10 percent reduction in their rate.

The cut was delayed a month when the Department of Human Services (DHS) revised its criteria for identifying low needs individuals on the CADI waiver; it will now take effect on Nov. 1, 2011.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, DHS issued an announcement to outline the methodology used to identify the 2,646 individuals impacted by this legislation.

Please contact me about any homes that will close due to this action (651-523-0823, ext. 113 or stevel@arcmn.org).  Data on the number affected by county and by provider have been requested.

If you think you might be impacted by this rate reduction, contact your provider or county social worker to verify.  DHS will not send individual notices to those impacted.

If you are impacted, ask whether this will necessitate a change in your service plan (ISP). You can appeal any change in the ISP, but only if there is evidence to show that the person’s health, safety, and welfare are jeopardized by a service reduction.

An individual who receives services can always request a new assessment if the current assessment is not up to date and doesn’t reflect one’s needs.

If you think the current assessment does not accurately reflects your needs, you can appeal.

DHS is currently saying that getting a new assessment will not change who is impacted by this rate cut, but we believe this is an item for further discussion with them.  Contact an advocate at The Arc of Mower County if you need assistance.

Upcoming Activities

Tuesday: Cooking for Comfort, 5:30 to 7 p.m.

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

Thursday: Open Center and Wii Bowling Tournament, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Friday: Bingo, 6:30 to 8 p.m.