INFORMATION EXCHANGE Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Health Planning Board Metropolitan Council 300 Metro Square Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Toni Lippert: 291-6364 METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS Developmental Disabilities Program Sponsors Community Work Training workshop Over 75 participants heard Patricia Dobbe Beebe and David Jennings present a workshop on their Vocational Education Alternatives (VEA) program on Dec. 9 and 10 at the Metropolitan Council. VEA is described as a "non-sheltered" vocational training and employment program for moderately and severely handicapped people and currently provides services in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many different professions were represented ranging from instructors at developmental achievement centers to an assistant professor in special education and included the entire range of educational, vocational and social services. VEA's underlying philosophy is to secure work placements in the community and to use as many generic services and resources as possible. The VEA approach is different from the service currently being provided to severely handicapped persons in developmental achievement centers. As a result it was clear that many participants favored this new approach while several others expressed some skepticism. The Metropolitan Council's developmental disability program is now undertaking a similar project in the Metropolitan Area based on the VEA approach. We hope that by next year at this time information fill be available on the results of the project. Vol. 9 No. 1 January 1984 Community Work Training Materials Available The Metropolitan Council-s Developmental Disabilities program has a limited number of packets available that contain references or resources on other community work training programs throughout the country. The packets are available at cost ($1 to cover materials, postage and handling). The articles are: --''Vocational Education Alternatives: A Non-Sheltered Vocational Approach" by Kim Kessler and Beth Strom. The article was originally published in Mental Retardation , Spring 1983, and Includes information on program costs, referral processes, and transition from public schools to community life; - -''When Handicapped Children Grow Up" by Dr. Judy Smith-Davis for the Vocational Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth, is a two-page document dealing with transition of handicapped persons of school age to adult life; --''Employment Training Program," a paper produced by the Child Development and Mental Retardation Center, University of Washington, Seattle. Dr. James W. Moss describes the University-s employment training program and gives a breakdown of costs and the levels of handicap of people with whom they are working; Two additional articles are notes taken at the 1983 fall conference of the Minnesota Association for the Severely ;Handicapped (MNASH). Work Training Materials (Continued) --Integrating Severely Handicapped Persons Within Our Working Community", Paul Wehman, Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University. The article describes the state of the art as well as a supported work model' with which he is involved; --"How to Get Out of `Get Ready" and into Integration," by Judy Lysne, Beth Burgan and Kathy Knutson. This second article describes the Developmental Learning Center-s employment training program in Dakota County. --''Transition:" is a newsletter from Hacomb-Oakland Regional Center in Michigan. This issue (Nov. - Dec. '83) has two major articles related to employment programs for handicapped persons and an excellent commentary by Mark Maxwell that explores the issue of. transition. The final document is an information sheet and internship application blank for the supported work training model at the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Internships are available in Feb. and April, 1984. To obtain a copy of these materials, send your request and $1 made out to "Developmental Disabilities Program". The address is 300 Metro Square Bldg., 7th Reagan Signs Proclamation for the National Decade of Disabled People In a ceremony at the White House on Nov. 28, President Reagan proclaimed the years of 1983 to 1992 as the Decade of Disabled people. The complete transcript of the ceremony appears in the state supplement of this issue of Information Exchange. The proclamation contains three Initiatives focusing on areas that have been given little emphasis in the past. The areas are: --To strengthen private sector job opportunities aimed at stimulating increased employment possibilities for severely disabled people; Proclamation (Continued) --To assist handicapped persons make a successful transition from special education into community integration and job placement; and --To develop a national Information and referral system aimed at families and physicians to gain timely access to information and programs. The first initiative is of great concern to the Metropolitan Council-s Developmental Disabilities Program because of our demonstration project to place severely developmentally disabled people into work training sites in the community. It is hoped that this proclamation will increase the private sector's awareness of the needs of severely disabled people and also demonstrate their employment potential. Additions to Library The Council's DD Program has added three items to its curriculum library. They may be borrowed by Metropolitan Area residents for for three weeks. The first item is Vocational Advocacy for Parents by Patricia Dobbe Beebe and Kim Kessler, a manual designed for trainers to conduct workshops for parents on how to function as vocational advocates for their children. Respite Care, Mary Lynne Calhoun, Ph.D. and Tom M. Duncan, M.Ed. is a training manual for the providers of respite care. The manual is used as part of a respite care project sponsored by the South Carolina Disabilities Council. The third item is a set of cards used in training persons in meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking. They are not copyrighted so may be reproduced as desired. Metropolitan Area residents may call Marjorie Segell at (612) 291-6363 to check on availability of the above items. Deadline for Newsletter Items We welcome items for publication in the Information Exchange, but because of the time required for processing and mailing, they must be received by the 15th of the month to be included in the next issue. PUBLICATIONS Preventing Sexual Abuse of Persons with Disabilities: A Curriculum for Hearing impaired, Physically Disabled, Blind and Mentally Retarded students, produced by the Minnesota Program for Victims of Sexual Assault (MPVSA). The curriculum contains instructions, exercises, handouts, teacher guides and notes for special education teachers, group home staff, counselors or social workers who work with disabled persons. A limited number of single copies is available to Minnesota residents. Contact MPVSA, 430 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. FOR YOUR INFORMATION New Citizen Advocacy Project The Citizen Advocacy Project (CAP) has been established by the Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota (ARC) in response to the many new changes in the commitment laws. Because of these changes, many mentally retarded persons currently residing at state institutions will have a judicial review regarding their placement status. CAP has three goals: --To insure that people are appropriately and adequately represented throughout the commitment process so that the system will be sensitive and educated to the needs of people. --To advocate for mentally retarded people and their families to insure that all necessary steps are taken to place mentally retarded people in the least restrictive and most appropriate residential environment. --To provide coordination and education for volunteers so that they can develop a long-term relationship with mentally retarded people who need personal support to address their problems. Advocacy Project (Continued) CAP has been developed to give parents information about alternative, less- restrictive placement options in the community and information about the commitment review process. CAP provides information and assistance to attorneys and other professionals regarding community placement for mentally retarded persons. For more information, assistance, or to volunteer, call Minnesota Association for Retarded Citizens at (612) 827-5641 or toll free, (800) 582-5256. Information and Referral Service Available The Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped provides a free information and referral service on training opportunities, adaptive recreation, financial assistance and housing. The council-s information and referral specialist will assist with inquiries and will research and analyze questions through the use of a computerized information and referral system. To obtain this service, call (612) 296- 6785 or toll-free, (800) 652-9747. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Shingle Creek Option, a residential programs for adolescents and adults located in Brooklyn Park, needs volunteers to serve approximately three hours a week on evenings or weekends. Special Buddies, a recreational program at Armatage Park in south Minneapolis, needs volunteers for two hours on Saturdays. For more information contact: Neil Doughty, 5624 73rd Av., Brooklyn Park, Minn. 55429. Tel. (612) 560-5330. Interpreted Plays T1 Metro Deaf Senior Citizens announce a schedule of intermeted plays for Jan. 1984. Jan. 14 Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, "Annie" --Lunch 12:30, Performance 2:30 p.m. Jan. 18 Children's Theatre Company, "The Adventures of Babar''--lO a.m. Jan. 21 Cricket Theatre - `Angels Fall" 5 p.m. Jan. 21 Minnetonka Theatre - "Witness for the Prosecution" - 8 p.m. Jan. 27 Children-s Theatre Company, "The Adventures of Babar"--lO a.m. For more information on the above events, contact: Metro Deaf Senior Citizens, 1298 N. Pascal, St. Paul, Minn. 55108. Tel. (612) 647-9565 Voice, or (612) 647-0328 TTY. Jan 14, 15 "Ski for Light," training in cross- country skiing for visually impaired persons will be held at Carver Park, just west of Victoria, Minnesota. The event is cosponsored by Vinland National Center, Hennepin County Park Reserve District and the Wayzata Lion-s Club. For more information, contact Sharon Limpert at (612) 479-3555. WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES Feb. 2, 3 "How to Teach Normalization" is a workshop to be held in Madison, Wisconsin (exact location to be determined later). The purpose of the workshop is to provide participants with basic knowledge, skills and supplementary resources needed to teach normalization effectively. though instruction will be geared to making single presentations to groups of people, much of the information will be helpful in planning individual contacts or long-term training programs. Normalization Workshop (Continued) The workshop is intended for people who are already knowledgeable about normalization through attendance at a PASS workshop or equivalent experience. It will be most useful to people whose current or anticipated roles in the human service system involve teaching, training, providing technical assistance, program support or consultation. Those who simply want to learn to explain normalization better to other people are also welcome to attend. Enrollment is limited: registration fee is $30 and hotel accommodations must be made by registrants. For more information, contact Terri Johnson, Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, 30 W. Mifflin St., Suite 508 Madison, Wis. 53703. Tel. (608) 251-9600. Feb. 24-26 4th Annual Symposium on the Management of Profoundly Retarded/Multihandicapped. For information on the above workshop, contact Eileen Richter, director, 12015 N; July Av., Hugo, Minn. 55038. Tel. (612) 439-8865. FUTURE EVENTS The In-Service Calendar of the Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota includes the following workshops: Feb. 16-17 "Health and Wellness: A Dynamic Approach to Self, Clients and Life". March 15-16 "Resource Fair" April 19-20 "Community Integration". April 7 The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) will sponsor the fifth Annual Metrowide Conference fur Consumers at the Inver Hills Community College. INFORMATION EXCHANGE State Supplement Developmental Disabilities Program 201 Capitol Square Building 550 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Minnesota State Planning Agency Roger Strand 612/296-4018 Editor PRESIDENT REAGAN SIGNS PROCLAMATION FOR THE DECADE OF DISABLED PERSONS On Nov. 28, 1983, in the East Room of the White House, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation designating 1983 through 1992 as National Decade of Disabled Persons. The entire text of the press release of this momentous occasion is provided below: THE PRESIDENT: The Vice President and I are very happy to welcome all of you here to the White House. Just a few minutes ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the men and women who are sharing the platform with us this morning. And this fine group has recently been named the Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employees of the `ear. And we-re proud they-re part of the federal government's team. I also want to thank those members of Congress who are here today, some of whom returned from their districts because of the importance of this ceremony. ALL of you in this room know that courage, patience and hard work go a long way and no-one knows it better than my press secretary, Jim Brady. Jim has inspired people everywhere and continues to do so. And, Jim, we-re delighted that you could take part in today-s ceremony. In a few minutes, 1-11 sign a proclamation designating 1983 through 1992 the National Decade of Disabled Persons. Proclamations can summon good people to action and light the path of hope. And this proclamation we think will do both. The 1981 International Year of Disabled Persons and the 1982 National Year of Disabled Persons stimulated new activity to improves the lives of our disabled Americans. Consciousness was raised, new efforts in the White House, for example, have helped generate a number of private projects involving transportation, elementary school tutoring, eye diagnosis and surgery. But we can-t rest on past success. The task before us is to maintains our momentum and to do more. Today I'm establishing a clear national goal. Let us increase the economic independence of every disabled American and let us begin today. The disabled want what all of us want--the opportunity to contribute to our communities, to use our creativity, and to go as far as our God-given talents will take us. We see remarkable achievements in medicine, technology, education, rehabilitation and in preventive medicine. Voluntary efforts by the private sector help in a thousand ways. America is a caring society. But too often, federal programs discourage full participation by society. Outmoded attitudes and practices that foster dependence are still with us. They are unjust, unwanted and non-productive. Paternalism is the wrong answer. The maze of federal programs complicates matters even more. Thirty-two federal agencies fund handicapped research. There are at least forty-two separate federal programs specifically targeted toward the handicapped population with an annual budget in excess of 36 billion dollars. More than a hundred other programs provide handicapped services and support. Now, many good things are being done and federal programs help in countless ways. But the patchwork quilt of existing policies and programs can be as much of a hindrance as a help. Programs overlap, they work at cross purposes, and worst of all, they don-t always point toward independence and jobs. So we have a lot of work to do and this work will be done. Proclamation [Continued) Since last April, a White House working group on handicapped policy has been looking at ways to better translate our goals of economic independence into an agenda for action. And that agenda is now underway. The Administration-s review of the regulations implementing Public Law 94- 142, The Education of All Handicapped Children-s Act, has been completed. The regulations are fine the way they are. No changes will be made and the program will be protected in its present form. Now, today, I'm also announcing three new initiatives. We believe that each will result in far better coordination and consistency among federal programs. The Department of Health and Human Services will direct a program to strengthen private sector job opportunities. This initiative will feature a new job cataloging service and a national campaign to coordinate and stimulate employment possibilities for the severely disabled. Help is also needed to assist in the transition from special education to community integration and job placement. The Departments of Education and Health and Human Services have established a program to assist special education students during this transition. Finally, we are putting together a national information and referral system. The handicapped, their families and physicians need to be able to cut through the maze of public and private services and gain timely access to information and programs. This new network, managed by the private sector, will provide this badly needed service. Now I know these programs are only a beginning, but we believe equal opportunity, equal access and greater economic independence must be more than slogans. Whenever government puts welfare and charity before the opportunity for jobs it misses the mark. By returning to our traditional values of self-reliance, human dignity and independence, we can find the solution together. He can help replace chaos with order in federal programs and we can promote opportunity and offer the promise of sharing the joys and responsibilities of community life. I believe we can make this dream come true. You may face limitations, but not one of you here today lacks the courage, the will or the heart to do what others say cannot be done. There is a young lady with us today who has demonstrated that so well. Jennifer Boatman has spina bifida, a serious malformation of the spine. Well, Jennifer-s handicap didn't stop her from saving the life of a five year old boy. When Jennifer saw young Joshua Mikesell tumbling through a white water stretch of the North Umpka River in southwestern Oregon, she didn't hesitate one second. She jumped into the swift mountain stream, swam to the boy and pulled him to the river bank. Joshua-s father called it a miracle. It is also the story of the courage and the capability of Americans disabled. And for all of us it is the ultimate expression of love. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend." You know, someone has said that a hero is no braver than any other persons. He or she is just braver five minutes longer. Well, Jennifer, that-s you and it makes us all proud and thankful. Your courage, your compassion and your commitment to America's disabled opened the way to a life of quality for all people. Let us rededicate ourselves to the tasks ahead. Let the spirit of the National Decade of Disabled Persons capture our imagination. In partnership between the public and private sector, among national, state and local organizations and between the disabled and the abled we can win the battle for dignity, equality and increased economic opportunity for all Americans. And now I shall go sign the proclamation and God bless all of you. Thank all of you. STUDY CONFIRMS HIGH FREQUENCY OF LEARNING DISABILITIES AMONG JUVENILE DELINQUENTS The Minnesota Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities completed a study that concluded that roughly one-third of youngsters who have been adjudicated as delinquents may have a learning disability that may not have adequately diagnosed or treated. The project was a spin-off of a five-year national study that found that 36 percent of juvenile delinquents were also learning disabled. The Minnesota study was funded by the Dayton-Hudson Foundation and federal funds through the Minnesota Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee. A total of 69 young people were referred to the project, of which 42 received a full screening battery of tests. Of those 42 individuals, 27 were referred to receive complete diagnostic evaluations. Of these 27, 20 were determined to be learning disabled youngsters. Of the 20 learning learning disabled youngsters, 12 tad not been previously identified and neither educational nor behavioral programming had addressed this issue. These 12 students are now receiving more appropriate educational programs, and the group home staff/parents have a better understanding of their needs. One of the several findings in the study concluded that, "young people are still being 'missed' in the system--the 12 young people who had not been previously identified had been involved in welfare and corrections systems for some time. Their behavior had been the focus of all interventions. The educational needs had not been addressed. Therefore, a vital piece of treatment was indeed missing." For further information, contact: Barbara Serum, project coordinator, The Minnesota Association for Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities, 1821 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Tel. (612) 646-6136. REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE MEETINGS SCHEDULED Under the "Program Design Initiative Project," meetings to discuss the recommendations made by consultants from other states and the implications of the Title XIX waiver plan will be scheduled at various locations throughout the state. These meetings are cooperatively sponsored by the Association of Minnesota Counties, the Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota, the Association for Retarded Citizens in Minnesota, the Minnesota Developmental Achievement Center Association and the Minnesota Association of Rehabilitation Facilities. The meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the sites and dates as follows: Jan. 11 Detroit Lakes, Holiday Inn Jan. 12 Grand Rapids, Holiday Inn, Jan. 25 Metropolitan area, Sheraton Inn Northwest, Jan. 26 Redwood Falls, Donovan's Best Western, Feb. 2. St. Cloud, Holiday Inn. Feb. 3. Owatonna, Holiday Inn. For more information, contact: Sharon Stewart at (612) 291-7475 or Bob Andre at (612) 645-2313. EVENTS Jan. 10, 11 "An Early Winter Carnival" is the theme of the conference sponsored by the Minnesota Rehabilitation Association. Alan Lotsberg from the Wilson Learning Corporation will be presenting on how to improve communications and gain better understanding how social style skills affect job functions. The conference will be held at the Radisson Plaza St. Paul. For more information, contact: Anna McGee, Ability Building Center, P.O. Box 6938, Rochester, Minn. 55903. Tel. (507) 289-1891. YEARNING FOR LEARNING The state Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. They may be borrowed from each of the regional DD offices and from the state program office in St. Paul. Each month, we highlight selections from these resources. Pathways Toward Independence: A Normalization Training program for moderately Retarded Adults, J.J. Parnicky and D. A@n. N~sonqer Center. 1980. The primary purpose of this manual is to present a program to establish and maintain normative skills and habits in young, moderately retarded adults who have experienced many years of life in an extremely protective environment. Its contents were developed as a result of "The Adult Training Project," which was conducted by a consortium of agencies in Ohio. Guidelines are provided relating to individualized programming and training in vocational, daily living and social adjustment skills. How to Build Special Furniture and equipment for Handicapped children, R.B. Roffman, Springfield, Ill. 1970. This manual may serve as a guide for those who have a need to build adaptive equipment and furniture for a child with a physical handicap. The designs are functional and attractive, yet simple to construct without expensive woodworking tools and materials. All the pieces are sturdy enough to withstand hard use. How To Borrow These two selections are available from the STATE OFFICE only. Call (612) 296. 4018, or write: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. INFORMATION EXCHANGE Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Health Planning Board Metropolitan Council 300 Metro Square Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Toni Lippert: 291-6364 Terrence Kayser: 291-6356 METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS In additional to its traditional planning activities, the Developmental Disabilities (DD) Program is engaged in demonstrating a model of vocational training to collect data and report on the results of training developmentally disabled adults on real, rather than simulated, job sites in Metropolitan Area businesses. In an attempt to bring the most current information on related vocational and educational technology to the attention of service providers in developmental achievement centers, occupational education and vocational rehabilitation, this newsletter will report on federal administrative initiatives and papers/articles/studies published by some of the leading professionals in the field. One related federal initiative is indicated in testimony presented on July 14, 1983 to the House Subcommittee on Select Education by Madeline C. Will, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "Contemporary wisdom, recent legislation, and emerging practice emphasize a service delivery system based upon the needs of handicapped individuals who are leaving the public school system to confront a society which makes complex demands for which handicapped youngsters could be better prepared. Education, vocational training, and rehabilitative services have been developed as self-contained systems, each Of which is engaged in at a certain time in the life span of a handicapped individual. Only in rare instances do Vol. 9 No. 2 February 1984 DD Program (Continued) the independent systems recognize that they contribute to the way in which we must begin to program continuous habilitation. Even though ...problems currently exist, I do want to assure you that progress has been made and that there are several excellent models which can serve as guides to action. Work at the University of Oregon and the University of Washington has shown that the application of a behavioral analytical approach to the teaching of specific job tasks has enabled moderately and severely handicapped individuals to secure competitive employment. The University of Madison-Wisconsin in cooperation with the Madison Metropolitan School District has developed a program based upon coordination with local adult service providers and employers which allows for longitudinal, systematic planning into the world of work. This coordination between public school personnel, employers, and adult service providers begins in the middle school, increases during secondary school, and has resulted in startling increases in the number of severely handicapped students who are employed in non- sheltered environments. These models and others can assist us in solving some of the complex service delivery problems within a reasonable period of time. However, a number of clear disincentives to continuous habilitation may remain outside of OSERS- direct control. In these instances, there may be need to increase cooperative federal, state, local, and private sector initiatives to design long term solutions and to analyze the need for joint responses. I will work closely with the Secretary to see that the Department-s legislative and budget proposals reflect these priorities. I believe we can meet these challenges. Every resource available to OSERS will be used to do so." To address Secretary Will and OSERS- concerns, the Council-s DD Program will provide more information on these and other new vocational and educational models to our readers. The need to get this information to a broader base of people was underscored recently during a meeting held for our agency. There was discussion about the reasons for the delay in Minnesota-s awareness and implementation of the many new trends in vocational/education training for persons who are severely handicapped. One of the people present remarked that information about new research, demonstration projects and operating programs was often published in journals from disciplines other than the ones read by professionals for hfs ffeld. We fully recognize the time constraints on service providers to keep up with the literature for their own field let alone to search for related literature in other areas. Since the Council-s developmental disabilities program is currently focusing on vocational training for persons who are severely handicapped, we have and will continue to accumulate articles, reports and studies on this topic that come from several disciplines (e.9. special education,. vocational education and vocational rehabilitation and from a broad variety of sources such as federal and state agencies, universities, professional journals, and consumer organizations. We will publish titles and authors plus a brief annotation of each item for this newsletter. We will either cite the sources of this material or we will print copies and make them available to readers who request them. All articles will be available for loan through our DD curriculum library and can be obtained ONLY by coming to the DD Program Office, 300 Metro Square Bldg.,, 7th and Robert St., St. Paul, Minn. If you wish to have your own copies, there will be no charge if you phone your request and pick up the material. There will be a charge of $2 for mailing requested material. Please call 91-6363 to order copies or to make arrangements for library loans. The ideas presented in these materials are for information only and do not constitute an endorsement of the authors' opinions or methods. The purpose of publishing this information is to make the latest vocational/education ideas easily available to policy-makers, service providers and families of developmentally disabled persons so they can examine current and practices in Minnesota and compare them with the alternative strategies to prepare individuals for employment. Seven items were listed in the January issues of the DD Information Exchange . These materials have been added: Three reports by G. Thomas Bellamy et al: --Community Programs for Severely Handicapped Adults: An Analysis of Vocational Opportunities." An examination of the current status of adult day activity programs related to vocational options provided participants. Concerns are raised about the lack of work opportunities, disincentives to work, lack of federal coordination and absence of entitlements. Suggested change strategies are directed to policy-makers, advocates, researchers and providers. --''Structured Employment and Workshop Reform: Equal Rights for Severely Handicapped Individual s." Discusses one vocational model that could enable more severely handicapped individuals to participate for vocational training and employment opportunities. Traces the growth of non-vocational adult day programs, the emergence of improved and effective technology for vocational habilitation of severely handicapped individuals, and the growing discrepancies between research and practice. The authors expand on the "structured employment" model as a way to resolve this discrepancy and open more employment opportunities to the severely handicapped population. --''Mental Retardation in Sheltered Workshops and Day Activity Programs: Consumer Outcomes and Policy Alternatives." Examines lack of a functional continuum of vocational services for sheltered workshops and day activity programs. Makes a case for " differentiating short-term transition services leading to competitive employment and long-term structured employment for individuals requiring ongoing support and identifies specific changes in federal and state policies and in service organizations chat must occur to bring about reforms. bring about reforms in federal and state policies and in service organizations. Another paper by Jim Moss, Ph.D. University of Washington: --"A State in Transition." Reviews the reasons why Washington is making changes in all its developmental services with particular focus on adult vocational programs. It describes the steps leading to the changes, the alternative models being incorporated and suggestions for other states wishing to make changes in their adult vocational programs. We have added new names to our mailing If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please write and ask to have your name removed, or call (612) 291-6363. We encourage you to C+vculate your copy within Your ncy. However, if your colleagues prefer to receive their own copies, please send name, address and zip code to the address listed on the masthead of this newsletter. Interns and Paraprofessional Training kSfStiMtS Needed Training assistants are needed to work in the Metropolitan Council-s Developmental Disabilities Community Work Training Program. An anticipated 20-30 persons are sought to work with our resource developers/trainers and trainees, beginning immediately. The training assistants are needed to work with the resource developers/ trainers in community job sites. Persons interested in this part-time assignment should have a experience in working with mentally retarded or severely disabled persons. Additional experience working in industry or business would be helpful. This opportunity would be an excellent one for persons wishing to become familiar with a new type of service for severely developmentally disabled persons. Considerable resource material will be available for persons selected to be training assistants. Interested persons should send a short letter and resume-to Dr. Terrence Kayser, DD Program, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101 or call (612) 291-6356. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Conference and Call for Papers The American Association of Special Educators, (AASE) Inc., announced the 7th Anglo-American Special Education Conference to be held at Chelsea College, London, July 2-3, and has issued a call for papers and and exhibits. The conference theme will be "Educational Trends and Developments in U.S. and UK" and "The Future of Computers in Education." Information on papers and exhibits should be forwarded to Louis Marpet, American Association of Special Educators, 107-20 125th St., Richmond Hill, NY 11419. Reservations forms are available from AASE Tours at the above address. New Minnesota Lab For Handicapped People at service Stations "All gasoline service stations which offer both full service and self-service gasoline dispensing operations shall provide an attendant to dispense gasoline at the self-service price into vehicles bearing handicapped plates or a handicapped parking certificate issued pursuant to section 168.021." Workshop Dr. Lou Brown, University of Wisconsin, will present a workshop, "Vocational Opportunities Workshop for Severely Handicapped People" on Feb. 15, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the American Legion Club, 708 Front St.,, Brainerd, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Registration will be at 8:30 a.m. )0 The workshop will be for educators and parents. The morning session will be Preparing Severely Handicapped People to Work and Play in the Community" and the afternoon session will be `Preparing Severely Handicapped People for Non- Sheltered Vocational Training and Work. " Registration fee (including lunch) is $12.50 and should be sent by Feb. 10 to Developmental Disabilities Program, Re ion 5 Regional Development Commission, ! 61 Iowa Av., Staples, Minn. 56479. Late registration at the door will be $12.50, but no lunch will be provided. National Census Report Available The Center for Residential and Community Services at the University of Minnesota has released Brief #21, "1982 National Census of Residential Facilities: A Summary Report. " This brief continues the series begun in 1977 and reports information on the general characteristics of both public and private facilities and demographic characteristics of residents. A copy of this report may be obtained from the Center for Residential and Community Services, University of Minnesota, 207 Pattee Hall, 150 SE. Pillsbury Dr., Minneapolis, MN 55455. Request for Information The Human Services Research Institute in Boston re sts assistance for locating examples needs assessment methods used at the state or local level to estimate housing needs of physically handicapped, developmentally disabled and chronically mentally ill persons. Selected methods will be summarized in a resource book supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In describing a method, the institute requests summary information on: organization responsible for completing the assessment, impetus for completing the assessment, types of information available from the method used (descriptions of the size of the eligible handicapped population, existing living arrangements, housing types required and . availability of housing to meet requirements), sources used to secure needs assessment information, resource requirements, time considerations, validity and relfabflity checks conducted on the method, and political or organizational constraints. Available descriptions will be accepted in any format. Submit summaries to Valerie J. Bradley, Human Services Research Institute, 120 Mflk St., 8th Floor, Boston, Mass. 02109. Grant Money Available COMPAS has grant money for community groups, agencies and individuals who would like to produce art projects for their St. Paul neighborhoods or communities. Projects must benefit St. Paul residents; however you do not have to be a St. Paul resident to apply for a COMP4S grant. For more information and application form, contact COMPAS, Community Art Fund/Intersection Program, 208 Landmark Center, 75 West 5th St. St. Paul, Minn. - 55102. Tel. (612) 292-3249. National Clearinghouse to be Established 5 Inc. has given $100,000 to the National Organization on Disability (NOD) to establish a national data bank of information on disability and related issues. This automated information clearinghouse will meet specific information needs of individuals and communities, and will provide referral services for disabled persons. The new data bank will be a computerized information retrieval system. Through NOD, information will be available to anyone seeking answers to such questions as: --What companies manufacture adaptive equipment for use by disabled persons in automobiles? --How can one start a local volunteer committee to address the needs of a community-s disabled population? --Where can one obtain housing plans and architectural designs for disabled persons? --What organizations have information on Irrier-free travel? --.nat are communities around the country doing to expand recreational opportunities for disabled people? --What specific programs can be used as models for improving attitudes toward disabled children in schools? --How can a local committee, given its limited resources, set up a job bank to serve disabled job seekers? For more information, contact The National Organization on Disability, 2100 Pennsylvania Av. NM,, Suite 234, Washington, D.C. 20037. PUBLICATIONS Epilepsy Report The Dec. 1983 issue of The National Spokesman, a newsletter of the Epilepsy Foundation of America, includes a special report on the 15th Epilepsy International Symnosium held on Washington, D.C. in September. Brief summaries of symposium presentations cover such topics as: surgery for epilepsy, new drugs for epilepsy, withdrawing medications, epilepsy treatment and cultural beliefs, specialized job programs, seizure types and social adjustment, and epilepsy and school achievement. For a copy of the December issue of this newsletter, write The National Spokesman, Epilepsy Foundation of America, 4351 Garden City Drive, Landover, Md. 20785. Alternatives: A Family Guide to Legal and financial Planning for the Disabled, L. Mark Russell. Written by an attorney with a mentally handicapped brother, this is a useful guide for professionals--lawyers, social workers and administrators of services and organizations for persons who are handicapped. Available for $9.95 plus $2 for postage and handling from First Publications, P. O. Box 1832, Evanston, Ill. 60204. WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES Feb. 6, 7 The University of Minnesota Consortium Institute for the Education of Severely Handicapped Learners will conduct an inservice training workshop for teachers of elementary age students at the William Mitchell College of Law, 875 Summit Av. St. Paul. "Project Impact: A Social Communicative Curriculum" will be held on Feb. 6, and Project Impact: Part II: will be held on Feb. 7. Both sessions will be from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The workshops will be conducted by Dr. Richard Neel, professor of special education at the University of Washington, and director of Project NIPACT. They will focus on what to teach, how to use the natural environment as the context for instruction, instructional methods and assessment and evaluation procedures. All special education teachers of elementary-age severely handicapped students, related service professionals and administrators are invited to attend. There is no charge for attending the workshop. For more information, contact Luanna Meyer Voeltz, director, or Ralph McQuarter, assistant director at (612) 373-5608. Feb. 13 and Feb. 25 The Parents Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) Center will conduct Wo workshops: Feb. 13, 7-10 p.m. will focus on the rights and responsibilities of children and youth with physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities and will help parents learn how to work effectively with schools so that appropriate programs can be developed for their children. Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. will be "A Special Communications Workshop". The workshop teaches assertive behavior skills that enables people to stand up for their personal rights and express their thoughts in direct, honest and and appropriate ways. Both workshops will be held at the Inver Hills Community College, 8445 E. College Trail, Inver Grove Heights. To register for either of the above workshops, call the Association for Retarded Citizens/Dakota County at (612) 457-2588. March 9 The Minnesota Department of Human Rights and the Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped will sponsor a one-day conference on the 1983 amendments to the Human Rights Acts. The conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. -4 p.m. at the Minneapolis YWCA, 1130 Nicollet Av., Minneapolis. Minn. Workshops, Conferences (Continued) To request a conference agenda and registration form, or for more information, contact Mary Hartle, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, 500 Bremer Tower, 7th and Minnesota St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296- 9048. March 15. The League of Women Voters and West St. Paul Community Education are sponsoring an election education workshop for adults of voting age who are mentally retarded. Participants will learn to vote wisely, learn about major political parties and how to use voting machines. They will also register to vote that evening. The workshop will be from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Grass Jr. High School in West St. Paul. For more information, call Sherrill Sparks at 457-9545. March 24-25 A winter leisure retreat for mentally retarded adults age 18 and over will be held at Indian Chief Camp in Eden Prairie owned and operated by Association for Retarded Citizens of Hennepin County. Meals, lodging and snow shoe rental are included in the program fee of $20. For more information, or to register, call Kim Keprfos at (612) 874-6650. FUTURE EVENTS May 27-31 The 108th annual meeting of the American Association (AAMO) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel for Minneapolis. Copies of the preliminary program, including housing and registration form may be obtained by writing the AAMD at 5101 Wisconsin Av. NM., Washington, DC 20016 or by calling toll-free, (800) 424- 3688. INFORMATION EXCHANGE STATE SUPPLEMENT Developmental Disability Program 201 Capitol Square Building 550 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Minnesota State Planning Agency Roger Strand 612/296-4018 Editor TRANSITION FROM SCHOOL TO ADULT SERVICES STUDIED "The transition from school to adult services for developmentally disabled people is an emerging issue for many parts of the United States and will continue to grow, " says a draft report from the office of the Inspector General of the United States. In Sept. 1983, at the request of the Assistant Secretary for Human Development Services, the office of the Inspector General conducted a program inspection to determine the extent of the problem and to identify program models that have successfully dealt with transition from school and w' - :h have improved the adult service cl. ;very system. The following highlights some of the findings for the draft report: --Families that have kept children at home and received quality services from the public schools have increased optimism about what their developmentally disabled children can achieve. Parents are now expecting that appropriate community-based services will be made available to their adult children. --The public schools have no formal responsibility to plan for services for developmentally disabled young adults after they leave school, and the adult service system usually has no single ,point of responsibility for case management or evaluation. --Gaps in the availability of adult services for developmentally disabled clients still exist, and waiting lists } common. --Debates continue regarding what the adult service delivery system should look like, and approaches vary widely. At the community level, alternative approaches stressful community placement, use of generic services, independent living and competitive employment are being implemented. But these innovative programs often have limited resources compared with segregated special purpose programs such as intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded ( ICFS-MR) and sheltered workshops. --The Department of Health and Human Services makes a substantial contribution each year [$7.1 billion) to support services for developmentally disabled people, a large share of which goes to support institutional care, a needed service for some of the population. However, respondents felt that current federal policy still provides too great an incentive to states and communities to use these services in place of potentially less expensive alternatives. --The Medicaid waiver provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 allows states to develop alternative approaches in providing home and community-based care. Many states are hopeful that the waiver will bring about more cost-effective services for a portion of the adult developmentally disabled population. Transition Study (Continued) --The innovative special programs discussed in the report can be viewed as alternatives to the more traditional model which places emphasis on the building and operation of segregated special purpose programs. Advocates of these newer approaches maintain that, in many cases, they can provide better services at less expense by working to place the developmentally disabled client in available private living and work environments. Projected cost savings would come from the limited capital investment required to start these programs, the absorption of overhead by already existing organizations, and the expectation that many developmentally disabled young adults, previously thought unemployable, can eventually attain competitive employment. By placing more persons in these situations, slots can be opened in existing service programs for those clients truly needing a sheltered environment. Copies of the official, "final report are not expected to be released for at least another month. Copies are free and may be ordered from: William Moran, Regional Inspector General for Program Inspection, Office of the Inspector General, U. S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 35th floor, 300 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago, Ill. 60606. REGIONAL OFFICE CONSOLIDATION ANNOUNCED Comm. Jean Elder of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities announced that Denny Sakata has been named regional program director for the newly consolidated Midwestern Region. From his regional office in Kansas City, Me., Sakata will assist the following states in providing services to persons with developmental disabilities: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, No. Dakota, So. Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Commented Conun. Elder, "I believe that this new structure, which consolidates regional personnel, resources and functions, will accomplish our purpose." VOELTZ IS EDITOR OF NATIONAL JOURNAL Luanna Meyer Voeltz was recently selected as editor-of the Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe RTI . Voeltz is associate professor of special education at the University of Minnesota and director of the Minnesota Consortium Institute for the Education of Severely Handicapped Learners. She has directed several major research and curriculum development projects and has authored several publications, one of which is described on the last page of this newsletter under Yearning for Learning. People interested in submitting articles for consideration in JASH should send manuscripts to: Luanna Meyer Voeltz, Department of Educational Psychology, Burton Hall 211, 178 SE. Pillsbury Dr., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. . PUBLICATION Evaluation of the Minnesota School for the Deaf and the Minnesota Braille and Sight-Saving School, Office of the Legislative Audit or, Jan. 4, 1984. This study was done at the request of the 1983 Legislature. Regarding the Braille School, the legislative auditor reconsnended that, "The graded program for single-handicapped, blind student should be normally phased out during the next three years... With appropriate support services, blind students can be served in local district programs." The ungraded programs for multihandicapped students would continue. The study also concluded that "the state should continue to offer the residential school option as part of a full continuum of educational programs for hearing- impaired students. The legislative auditor states, however, "We also think that the School for the Deaf needs to make changes in its program and philosophy in order to take its place in a statewide system of services for hearing-impaired students." The report may be obtained from the Program Evaluation Division, 122 Veterans Service Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel. (612) 296-8315. STUDIES IN MENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYED PERSONS An administrative education program at the graduate level for people who are employed on a full-time basis is now available at the University of Minnesota. This is a three-year program leading toward a Credential of Advanced Studies in Health Services Administration. A master-s degree option also exists. For more information, contact: Independent Study Program in Administration for Mental Health Related Fields, University of Minnesota, 2642 University Av., 2nd floor, St. Paul, Minn. 55114. Tel. (612) 376-1544. WISCONSIN OFFERS PASS WORKSHOP, FEB. 19-24 PASS (program Analysis of Service Systems) is an evaluation instrument used to assess the quality of human service programs and systems serving all ages and any disability group. This one-week workshop provides an in-depth evaluation ~mi discussion of the normalization principle. Practice evaluations will be :conducted in selected sites in the Milwaukee area, and will include visits to a social service agency for interviews, analysis of the service and a verbal report of findings to the agency staff. The participants will leave the /workshop with a significantly broadened view of the human service field, the practical application of the formalization principle, and a clearer concept of what constitutes service quality. ASS training will be provided by John `Brien, Responsive Systems Associates, tlanta, Georgia. The workshop will be eld at Park East Hotel, 916 E. State t ., Milwaukee, Wis. For more nformation, contact: Kathy Johnson, isconsin Coalition for Advocacy, 30 W. ifflin 'St., Suite 508, Madison, Wis. 3703. Tel . (608) 255-7696 or (608) 251- 500. EVENTS Three Administrative Seminars Offered Continuing Education and Extension of the Rochester Center, University of Minnesota, will be offering three one-day seminars for administrators: --Feb. 9 - Effective Business Presentations, --Feb. 16 - Written Communication in Business and Government, --Feb. 22 - Face to Face: Handling the "Tough" Problems of Supervision. Registration is $45 for each program, or $110 for all three. Contact: Beryl Byman, Program Director, University of Minnesota, Rochester Center. Tel. (507) 288-4584 or (612) 224-3106. March 14-16 Minnesota Social Service Association (MSSA) 91st Annual Training Conference and Expo will be held at the St. Paul Radisson Hotel. Contact: MSSA Office, 614 Portland Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55102. Te?. (612) 227-3400 or (800) 652-9785 (toll free). March 23, 24 A two-day conference co-sponsored by the American Association on Mental Deficiency Minnesota Chapter, Minnesota Association of Behavior Analysis and the Minnesota Association for the Severely Handicapped will be held at the Sunwood Inn in St. Cloud. For more information, contact: Peggy Graham, c/o Minnesota Learning Center, Brainerd, Minn. 56401. Tel. (218) 828-2317. March 31 "Seminar for Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired Children will be held at the Learnington Hotel in Minneapolis. cost: $15 per person, or $25 per couple. Contact the sponsoring agency: National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota, Chamber of Commerce Bldg., Suite 715, 15 S. 5th St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55402. Tel. (612) 332-5414. YEARNING FOR LEARNING The state Developmental Disabilities (DO) Program Office has acquired several educatfon, trafnfng and resource materials. They may be borrowed from each of the regional 13D offices and from the state program office fn St. Paul. Each month, we highlight selections from these resources. Longitudinal Leisure Skills for Severely Handicapped Learners: The Ho onanea Curriculum Component, B. Wuerch and L. Voeltz, Paul H Brookes Publishing Co., 1982. This book contains a field-tested and validated lifelon , leisure skills ! curriculum component or learners with severe handicaps. It includes age-appropriate, generalizable activities that improve students skill acquisition and respond to their crucial affective needs as well. Parents are included for all aspects of planning and implementation of leisure activities training. Keeping Families Together: Providing Respite and Other Short -Term Care for people with Disbilities, the Alaska Governor's Planning Council for the Handicapped and Gf~ted, 1983. This book explores a variety of practical sources of help necessary to keep families together. Familfes are encouraged to utilfze generic services whenever possible. Sample forms for operating respfte care servfces are provided. How To Borrow These two selections are available from the STATE OFFICE only. Call (612) 296- 4018, or write: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Metropolitan Council DD Program 300 Metro Square Bldg. 7th and Robert Sts. St. Paul, MN INFORMATION EXCHANGE Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Health Planning Board Metropolitan Council 300 Metro Square Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Toni Lippert: 291-6364 Terrence Kayser: 291-6356 METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS The DD service system is a comparatively young and dynamic system. But in the last two years, the pace of change has accelerated even more. New theories and techniques to help persons with developmental disabilities to achieve more are being introduced faster than practftfoners can assimilate them. The fmplicatfons of this explosfve rate chafige is putting onerous demands on professionals and other providers to do thfngs differently. Job descriptions, roles and responsibilities may have to be changed substantially to include new competencfes. Even traditional ways of adding to staff skills are changing. The approach to enhancing staff competency traditionally starts with an assessment of trafning needs either by administrators or by program staff in a DaDer and pencil exercise. An article in the Journai of the Association for People with Severe Handlca Bern~tein &nd"Jon P. Ziariik describes a dffferent approach using a proactive model. In "Proactive Identification of Staff Development Needs: A Model and Methodology," the authors discuss theproject from which this model evolved. They list the eight premises upon which the model is based, describe the methodology used and indicate the results the project. Some of the authors- Vol. 9. No. 3. March 1984 DD Program News (Continued) observations are very interesting. For example, they observed that staff from programs participating in this project were more likely to emphasize behavior changes expected of clients than changes in behavior needed by staff for implementing the clients" programs. Finally Bernstefn and Ziarnik stress the importance of maintenance once the staff skills have been developed and suggest five factors which can reinforce good skfll development: clear organizational goals, operationaltzed job duties, performance feedback mechanisms, participatory decision-maktng practices, and programs designed to fncrease employee stability. What may be of interest to the readers fs that Dr. Zfarnik has applied this model in reorganizing a rehabilitation facility in Denver, Colorado, with apparent success. A limited number of copies of thfs article are available for circulation from the DO Curriculum Library if checked out in person. No copies will be matled. Please call to reserve your copy. The journal from which this article is taken can be reviewed only on the premises of the Metropolitan Council library. Addittons to DD Libraries The following publications and artfcles have been added to the DD Resource Ltbrary. They may be used only in the library at the Metropolitan Council. --1984 Tax Guide is an authoritative income tax guide that will prove invaluable for parents concerned with tax deductions stemnfng from the care and support of a developmentally disabled fndfvfdual. The gufde was prepared by Charles Landry, retfred agent-conferee for the U.S. Internal Revenue Sewice and a past presfdent of the Association for Retarded Cftfzens/Michfgan. This copyrighted tax guide may not be reprf nted. It can be ordered for $2 from the Association for Retarded Cftfzens/ Michfgan, 313 S. Uashiigton, Lansing, Mfch. 48933. --Long Term Neighborhood Property Mpacts of G~up Homes for Mentally R -"%%+ L k~ an o nert%% Oolan Unive%fty. Thfs {s a ~vfsed study of a 1978 analysis of Iong-term impacts of group homes on the surround fngconsnunity. The group homes fncluded fn this study are residences for mentally retarded adults in eight New York State ccmanunftfes selected to represent a range of upstate and downstate, low and moderate fncome and urban and suburban neighborhoods. --An Analysfs of Zonfng and Other problems AtteCtlng the Establl shment ot G roup Homes tor the Mentall ~ encountered fn the establishment of group homes fn Metropolitan resfdentfal areas. The report concludes that inadequate fundfng, unsuitable locations and facilities frequently caused more problems and hfndered the development of group homes more often than zonfng problems. --Resour& Gufde of Sfgns of Sexual Xssaul t , a supplemen 3exual Abuse of Persons t "P I) fsabil I ties . Thfs booklet will afd Instructors when m%sentfna materfal on sexual abuse t6 hearing: impafred people. Lfbrary Addftfons (Contfnued) The followfng books have been added to the Curriculum Lfbrary. They may be borro~d by Metropolitan Area residents for a perfod of three weeks. However, publications and materials in the curriculum 1 fbrary must be pfcked up at the Metropolitan Councfl and returned by borrowers. --Proactive Identification of Staff Development N eeds: Model and P%?- see article above on ems e n and Zfarnfk. --A BUYER-S GUIOE fs a source of fntormat~on on products for dfsabled persons has been added to the 00 Curriculum Lfbrary. --An update to A Reader-s Guide for parents of Ch~dren with Mental, yslcal or tmo tional DiT TIcuJ fies, hiWyland M W Plannfng council on Oevelopmen~l Dfsabflftfes, 1983. A comprehensive listing of readfng materials for parents of handicapped children. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Director Needed A small group home for persons who are mentally retarded fs seekfng a director. The homa fs located fn a small central Mfnnesota comnunf~. Salary negotiable. For more information contact: Rita Opsahl, Brfghter Oay Resfdence, 620 N. Wood St., Mora, Mfnn. 55051. FOR YOUR INFORMATION Mfnf-Conference on Microcomputers On Feb. 7, the State i)evelopmental Dfsabflfties Councfl hosted a "mfni- conferencea on microcomputers and handicapped people. The purpose was to share information about the use of mfc~omputer technology by handicapped people as an asslstlve device. Microcomputer Conference (Continued) Numerous pieces of equipment and softiare packages were demonstrated at the conference. All of the equtpment can be purchased at computer stores or from other electronic dfstrfbutors. The presenters at the conference, Bud and Delores Hagen, publish a bi-monthly newsletter entitled "Closfng the Gap", avaflable for $15 annually. Mrite P.O. BOX 69, Henderson, Mfnn. 56044. The Hagens are also presenting workshops on March IO and Aprfl 14 at the Belle Plaine Hfgh School, 220 S. Market St., Belle Plain. There is no charge attendance but persons interested in attendfng are urged to call and make an appointment. For more information call (612) 665-6573 or, fn the Metropolitan Area, 341-8299. Camperships Available Visfon-fmpafred children and adults can apply now for financfal help to attend sunmer sessions at Camp Courage, near Maple Lake, and Courage North, on Lake George fn northern Mfnnesota. The camperships are sponsored by Unfted Blind of Minnesota and help defray costs at the two therapeutic/ recreation camps. Activities include swimning, fishing, hiking, outdoor sports, nature study, and arts and crafts. For information, contacting the camping department at Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, Minn. 55422. Tel. (612) 588-0811. Volunteers Needed The Minnesota Assocfatfon for Retarded `"tizens is seekfng volunteers, age 15 .tid over to assfst durfng their sumner camping season at Annanda?e, Mfnn. Volunteers work dfrectly wfth Camp Friendship staff and campers. Before they begin, they are required to attend a 24-hour orientation perfod so that they understand basic camp policfes procedures, philosophy and understanding of persons who are mentally retarded. For more information, write Friendship Volunteers, R.R.3, Box 162, Annandale, Minn. 55302. Information Center Funded The U.S. Department of Education is fundfng a Natfonal Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth. The center collects and shares information helpful to handicapped chfldren, their parents, as well as professionals and advocates who work wfth them. The new services answers questfons, lfnks people with others who share common concerns, sponsors wo~shops and publishes newsletters. The center pays particular attentfon to the needs of rural areas, culturally diverse population and the problems of severely handicapped chfldren. The center encourages organizations wfth an fnterest fn handicapped and youth to send them information about new programs, publications, seminars and conferences. Contact: Information Center for Handicapped Children and Youth, P.O. Box 1492, Washington, DC 20013. PUBLICATIONS Whatever You Decfde! fs a workbook of teaching techniques and lesson plans to help group home and day program staff, educators and advocates learn how to involve retarded people in makfng decisions and asserting their human rfghts. The author, Jennifer Mohr, has developed an outreach/educatfon program at Advocating Change Together, Inc. (ACT), an advocacy organization that serves approximately 500 people wfth 150 staff members at 50 locations in the Minneapolis area. ACT was founded by a group of mentally retarded people, their advocates and other members of the community. The workbook fs based on thefr research and experience as they visited residences and day programs durfng the past three years. To order the workbook, send $7.50 (Mftmesoti resfdents add e% sales tax), plus $.75 postage to: Advocating change Together, Inc., 1509 Nicollet Av., Minneapolis, Mfnn. 55403. Tel. (612) 874-1133. Health Care Coverage and Your Disabled Child is a guide for parents preparedby United Palsyt of Mfnnesota, Inc. It provides information, guidance and direction for those directly involved with health-impaired people and the concerns and problems relating to their health care cost sharing. Single copies of the booklet will be mailed without charge to organizations, professionals and parents. If extra copies are desired, the cost will be $2 for parents, $4 for professionals, or $1.75 each for bulk orders of 100 or more. However, extra copies in any quantity are free if picked up from United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, 1821 University Av., Room 233 S., St. Paul, MN 55104. Tel. (612) 646-7588. CONFERENCES, EVENTS March 15-16 A conference on "Sexuality and Mentally Handicapped People" will be held from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. both days at Planned Parenthood of Mfnnesota, 1965 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, Mfnn. The program presenters will fnclude an advocate from Legal Advocacy for Developmental Ofsabflfties, Phyllis Cooksey, director and Ruth Markowftz, program director, department of education and trafnfng at Planned Parenthood. The workshop fee is $50. Lunch fs not fncluded. For a regfstratfon form, or for more information, call (612) 298- 2401. March 17 Parent Advocacy Coalftfon for Educational Rfghts (PACER) fs sponsoring a free workshop at Hamlfne School of Law, Hewftt Av. and Snellfng Av. N., St. Paul, from 7-10 p.m. wfth regfstratfon at 6:30 p.m. Subjects covered fnclude due process rfghts, fndivfdualfzed education plans, how you can advocate for your chfld, assessment of tests and team stafffng. Advance regfstratfon fs requested. Contact PACER Center, 4701 Chfca o Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55407. Tel. 612) 827-2966. March 26 A conference on "Chronfc Mental Illness in Multi-Problems Populations: I/hole Persons wfth Multf-Problem Labels" will be held at the Earle Brown Continuing Educatfon Center on the St. Paul campus of the Unfversfty of Mfnnesota. The conference fs sponsored by Continuing Education fn Socfal Work, Mfnneapolfs campus, Mfnnesota Department of Publfc Uelfare, Association for Retarded Cftfzens of Hennepfn County and the Mental Health Assocfatfon of Mfnnesota. The prfmary aim of the conference fs to seek remedfes to problems that confront staff in tryfng to serve persons wfth chronic mental illness who also have other mental problems such as senflfty or mental retardation. Problems wfll be examfned from administrator, provfder and consumer perspectives. Registration fee for the conference fs $50 and includes lunch and refreshment breaks. For more fnformatfon, contact: Shfrley L. Zfmnerman, Assistant Dfrector, Continuing Educatfon fn Socfal Uork, 107 Armory Bldg., 15 SE. Church St., University of Minnesota, Mfnneapolfs, Mfnn. 55455-0106. Tel. (612) 373-5831. INFORMATION EXCHANGE STATE SUPPLEMENT Developmental Disabilities Program 201 Capitol Square Building 550 Cedar Street St. Paul, Mimesota 55101 Minnewta State Planning Roger Strand 612/2964018 Editor ADMINISTRATION ON DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES EMBARKS UPON EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE PROJECT The Adndnlstratfon on Developmental Dfsabilfties (ADD) fn Washington, DC has set a goal of facflftatfng the employment of 25,000 persons wfth developmental dfsa- bflftfes by the end of 1984. Mfchael Ffshman, dfrector of the ADD Employment Inftfatfve Project, has outlfned a ffve- step plan formeetfng the goal: networking, corporation contact, matchfng jobs, fnformatfon brokerage and publfc affafrs. Dfscussfons have already taken-place wfth the Department of Labor over the Job Partnership Trafnfng Act and with the Rehabflitatfon Services Admfnstatfon about expandfng the avaflabilfty of the rehabflf- tatfon network to the more severely dfsabled person, Ffshman safd. A system of matching trafned people wfth local jobs through job banks and cataloging systems fs a major part of the project. The inftfative wfll also serve as an fnformatfon clearinghouse on model projects. For more information, contact, Mfchael Ffshman, Dfrector, Admfnfstratfon on Developmental Dfsabflities, 200 Independence Av. SU., Rm. 326E, Washington, DC 20201. Tel. (202) 245-2888. PROPOSALS REQUESTED FOR IMPROVEMENT OF DAY PROGRAMS The Minnesota Governor-s Planning Council on Developmental Dfsabflities has fssued a Request for, Proposal relatfng to "Projects to Improve the Quantfty and Qualfty of ~ Pro rams for Developmentally Dfsabled & Approximately $425,000 is avaflab7e for these grants. Applications should focus on developmentally dfsabled persons who are not retarded, those who are severely or profoundly retarded or have behavfor problems. Applfcatfonswfth publfc/prfvate partnership wfll be gfven prforfty. Contact: Ron Kaliszewskj at (612) 297-3207. MARCH 1984 GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES "HIREABILITY" CAMPAIGN- A ONE-STOP SERVICE FOR EMPLOYERS On Feb. 2, GOV. Perpfch launched the "HfreAbflity" campafgn and introduced a new, toll-free number, 1-800-328-9095, that employers can use to ffnd qualfffed job applicants wfth dfsabflftfes. "For the first tfme fn the natfon, placement professionals from six nonprofit a~encfes are workfng together to provfde a one- stop- servfce for employers," the Governor safd. The HfreAbilfty Campafgn will stress tie many abflftfes possessed by fndfviduals who happen to De dfsabled. The afm of most of the ads fs to penetrate through the ~ths and stereotypes generally held about people with dfsabflftfes. Thus, one ad shows a pfcture of Franklfn D. Roosevelt, who had polfo, under a headlfne that reads, "Hfre the handicapped: Your parents dfd. " The message-- "Hfrfng someone on thefrmerfts fsn-t a new fdea. Justa good one. Call us when you need someone who can get the job done. " , A sfmilar ad shows a picture of Beethoven, who lost hfs hearfng, and advises-- "Disabflftfes don-t stop people from makfng contributions. Please don-t you." The cmpafgn was desfgned by volunteers fn consnunicatfons: The Minnesota Advertising Federation; Fallen, Mckllfgott and Rfce and Dorn Public- Relations. The HfreAbflfty Consortium fs comprfsed of Projects wfth Industries fn Mfnnesota and Wisconsfn and the Mfnnesota Division of Vocational Rehabflitatfon. For mOre information, contact: Susan Benjamfn at (612) 874-4482 or Sara Gavfn at (612) 835-6855 MANY ISSUES STILL UNRESOLVED, " COURT MONITOR REPORTS In a fourth semiannual report to the U.S. Dfstrfct Court (Mfnn. Fourth Divisfon) regardfng compliance with Welsch vs. Levfne consent decree, Lyle Uray, ,court monltor~ suamarfzed: "Despite progress fn a number of areas over the past year, substantial fssues remafn concerning: --The adequacy of indfvfdual programs and sewfces of habflftatfon fn state hospitals; --The adequacy with whfch plans are developed for comsunffy lfvfng; and --The adequacy of the monftorfng efforts of class -ers once placed fnto the coamunfty to assure programs and servfces corresponding to the dfscharge plan." In 1983, the census fn the seven state hospftals servfng persons wfth mental retardation declfned by another 118 fndfvfduals, brfn fng the total at the end ! of the year to 2, 11. The largest overall reductfon was found at the Farfbault State Hospftal with a net decrease of 39 persons. Overall admfssfons fncreased fn 1983 wfth many of those befng for parental respfte for chfldren. Compared wfth the ffrst 11 months of 1982, the number of total adafssfons reported was up from 200 to 235 for 1983. Atifssfons for respfte care reported almost doubled, from 58 to 103. "It would appear appropriate for the Department of Publfc Welfare to revfew the use of state hospftals as a major respfte resource fn the state and to revfew alternative possibilltfes," the court monftor recommended. Because many chfldren (5% to IO% of the total population) stfll remafn fn Mfnnesota-s seven state hospftals, the court monftor called for "a greater focus upon strategies to dfrect chfldren from state hospftal placement and for a more tfmely development of coassunf~ alternatives for chfldren currently placed fn state hospftals. The report stated that ft was hoped that current dfscussfon would clarffy the dfscharge plannfng process and evaluate the appropriateness ofcoasnunfty placements. \ -6- Off ICE OF COURT MONITOR RELOCATED The new address and telephone number f, the offfce of the court monftor for the Welsch VS. Levfne consent d&rew-fs: Lyl{ Thy, Ph D Court Monftor, c/o Legal Edu- catfon C&&, Room 106, 40 N. Mflton St., St. Paul, Mfnn. 55104. Tel. (612) 224-3466 MARVIN TRITZ RECEIVES OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD In recognftfon ofhfs dedfcatfon and ctiftment as a parent volunteer, Marvfn Trftz, Dumont, Mfnn. was recently presentec an award by Comn. Jean Elder, Admfnfstra- tfon on Developmental Dfsabflftfes, Dept. of Health and Human Servfces. Mr. Tritz fs a current member of the Mfnnesota Governor-s Plannfn Councfl on DD. Comm. f Elder stated fn a etter to Trftz: "You are an excellent example of how one person can make a difference. I comnend you on the generous manner fn whfch You have shared your expertfse and expressed your concern as an advocate on behalf of cftfzens who are developmentally dfsabled throughout the State of Mfnnesota. DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES/McKNIGHT GRANTS AWARDED The Developmental Dfsabflftes (DD) Program of the Mfnnesota State Plannfng Agency announced approval of ffve grants for projects to assfst developmentally dfsabled persons who are not mentally retarded. Monfes are derfved from the McKnf,ght Foundation through the DD Program. A total of $70,000 fn grants wfll be awarded to: --Accessible Space, Inc. and Comprehensive Services for Dfsabled Cftfzens for the development of an independent lfvfng skflls trafnfng prograis; --Arrowhead Regional Development Consnfssfon" for fmprovfng the utflfzatfon of the Supplemental Security Income program; --Minnesota Epflesy League for addressing employment problems for persons wfth epflepsy outsfde of the Metropolitan Area; --Comprehensfve Epflepsy Program, University of Minnesota, for the development of a model educatfon program about epflepsy for people wfth epflepsy and their families; --Twfn Cftfes Socfety for Autfstfc Chfldren for establfshfng a crisfs intervention program. For further fnformatfon, contact: Ron Kalfszewski. Tel. (612) 297-3207. ADDITIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS STUDIES RELEASED The Developmental Disabflftfes Program recently added three new publfcatfons to the Polfcy Analysfs Serfes, Issues Related to Uelsch vs. Levine: --No.19: Cost Function Analysfs of Minnesota Intermediate Care kacflftfes Tor Mentally Retarded (IW-FIR) Per Di ems: 981 (A n Update toP Olfcy Analysis Serfes Nos. 4 and 15). ~s s tudy provfdes statfstfcal analvsfs of cost factors relatfng to Inte-mdfate-Care Facilftfes for Mentally Retarded accordfng to three broadly deffned categories: locatfon, organfzatfonal structure and resfdent characterfstfcs. The hfghest average per diem rate was found fn the Mfnneapolfs- St. Paul .regfon ($55.90) while the lowest average rate was found fn Regfon,6E ($33.90). The hfghest average per dfems were associated wfth facflftfes servfng 17 to 32 resfdents fn sfze ($58.50), 33 to 64 resfdents fn sfze ($55.80), and fewer than 6 resfdents ($52.20). Class B facflfties had an average per dfem of $67.20, nearly 44 percent hfgher than the Class A facflftfese average of $46.80. These ffgures are for 1981. --No. 20: Respite Care: A Supportive and Preventive Servfce for Famflf es: Polfcy out-of-home placements. Varfous models of respfte care services are presented and suggestions made for the provfsfon of an array of famfly support services fn Mfnnesota, of whfch respfte care can " be an fmportant part. --No. 21: Sunmnary and Analysis of Flfnnesota Developmental DfsabflT tfes Respl te Care Demonstration Projects Dederal I'1 seal Years MIT. Thfs paper contfnues the dfscussfon of resDfte care servfces and shares the results of 16 demonstration projects that were funded through developmental dfsabilftfes grants over a three-year duration. Respfte care servfces were provfded to over 200 indfvfduals fn a varfety of settfngs, most occurrfng fn the fndfvidual"s own home. Another 850 people recefved information and referral servfces. In order for respfte care services to become a stronger element withfn the socfal servfce system fn Mfnnesota, several tasks are seen as needed: deffnfng respfte care; establfshfng a solfd fundfng base; desfgnfng standards and methods for monitoring and evaluating; and coordfnatfng vfa a case management system. These documents wfll be sent to those on the Serfes maflfng lfst. Others may requ~pies by contacting: Developmental Dfsabflftfes Program, 201 Capftol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Mfnn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296-4018. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Amerfcan Assocfatfon on Mental Deficiency (AAMD) wfll hold fts 108th annual meetfng May 27-31 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel fn Mfnneapolfs. Volunteers are needed to monftormeetfng rooms, assist convention staff, type, and staff a T-shfrt booth. Volunteers who work one full day of the conference or two half days wf-11 qualffy to attend the conference free of charge. Regular registration fees for the conference vary from $40-70 for one day to $75-105 for the full conference. To volunteer or for more fnformatfon, call (612) 297-2611, or wrfte: Develop~~~~ Dfsabflftfes Program, 201 Capitol Square . -7 Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Mfnn. 55101. YEARNING FOR LEARNING The state Develop~ntal Disabilft~es (DD) Program Offfce has acquired several education, training and resource materials. They may be borrowed from each of the regfonal 00 offfces and from the state program office fn St. Paul. Each month, selections from these resources are highlighted. In-Home Respfte Care Program Development: Background, coordinator s manual, Trainiq Manual. Texas Tech Unlverslty 198A me ~nrorwatfon contafned fn thfs ~ree-~art manual fs fntended to help a consnunfty plannfng body detennfne local needs and how to organfze fn-home respfte care servfces. "Respfte care provfdes a vftal support to afd famflfes fn thefr attempt to retafn a handicapped member fn the famfly unft and should be part of a comunfty"s human servfce system," the author states. Thfs selectfon may be borrowed from the State 00 Program at (612) 296-4018, or may be purchased from the author for $15. Contact: Research and Trafnfng Center fn Mental Retardation, Box 4510, Texas Tech Unfversfty, Lubbock, Texas 79409. For this Respite Much Thanks...Concepts, Guidelines and Issues in the Development of community respite Care Services, United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc. 1981. This book ecplores various models of respite care services throughout the country and provides guides for developing local programs. Respite care (providing relief for the caregiver/parent) can be effectrively reduce stress in families where there is a dependent, developmentally disabled memeber. Available from both regional and state DD offices. INFORMATION EXCHANGE Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the JIecropolican Health Plarmmg Board Metropolitan Council 300 Metro Square Building St. Paul, Minnesora 55101 Toni Lippert: 291-6364 T Terrence Kayser: 291-6356 METRO DD PROGRAM NEWS Developmental Disability Definition The term "developmental disability" is frequently misused as a synonym for mental retardation, or as referring to four specific disabil i ties: cerebral pal sy, mental retardation, autism and epi 1 epsy. In order to arrive at a correct understanding of the term, the fol 1 owing definition, as defined by P, L. 95-602 is provided: "severe, chronic di sabi 1 i ty which -- (a) is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairment; (b) is manifested before the person attains age 22; (c) is likely to continue indefinitely; (d) results in substantial functional 1 imitations in three or more of the foil owing areas of major life activity: self -care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self- direction, capacity for independent living and economic sufficiency, and (e) reflects the person-s need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services which are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated." A more concise description is: "a physical or mental disability that is severe and chronic, appears before age 22 ~gnificant]y T imits a person-s basic life functions". Vol. 9. No. 4. April 1984 FOR YOUR INFORMATION Cost of Care Care Legislation Sought In response to problems with the wide disparity among counties in paying parent fees for children in out-of-home placement, the Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota (ARC) has developed legislation that would require the Department of Public Melfare to establish one fee schedule for out-of-home placements of children regardless of disability or type of placement, A maximum contribution would also be established of no more than 10 percent of the cost of care, or no more than five percent of the parents- adjusted gross income, whichever is less. In addition, parents would not be required to make a resource contribution on top of an income contribution. For parents of children receiving services under the Title 19 waiver, such as in-home family support services, respite care or homemaker services, the state is asked to take into account the room, board and services provided by the parents in determining the parental contribution to the cost of care. LEGISLATION PROPOSED FOR EARLY INTERVENTION A bill has been drafted to mandate education for handicapped children from birth through three years. The current state education law mandates education from four through 21 years. Education before four is permissive only. The bill changes the permissive language in the current statute from "may provide" to "shall insure that" special education and services "are provided" for handicapped children "under the age of four". This is followed by language that makes it clear that, while education is the lead agency, services can also be given by health, welfare and other appropriate agencies, and that school districts may enter into contractual, co-funding and co- sponsoring relationships with other child- servtng agencies, such as developmental achievement centers. A notable feature of the bill is the repeated emphasis on the necessity of including parents in the chfld-s program of training and educat~on, acknowledging that parents are the young child-s primary teachers. The bfll requires establishment of an Interagency Early Intervention Planning Cornnittee in each school district or special education cooperative to assure the interagency collaboration and cooperation so vital to the development of a coordinated array of services. To insure that transpiration cost associated with serving infants and their parents in home-based programs are reimbursed, a subdivision has been added that requires the state to pay 50 percent of the costs of necessary travel by early education staff. It is the aim of this proposed legislation to support both home- based and center-based programs in order to meet the individual needs of children and families, and to use, whenever possible and appropriate, services that are already in place. TARGETED JOB TAX CREDIT: FINAL REGULATIONS In November, 1983, the Department of the Treasury published two sets of regulations relatlvfio the five year old Targeted Jobs Tax Credit program. This program is meant to provide tax incentives for employers to hire targeted individuals. The proposed regulations provide the public with information and guidance needed to participate in the program. A second set of regulations, issued tn final form, provides taxpayers and businesses desiring to qualify for the credit with specific guidelines to comply with the law. These guidelines focus on what types of businesses may claim targeted jobs tax credits and how such credits should be calculated and disbursed within the business. Among those groups targeted as eligible for the tax credits are: vocational rehabilitation referrals, Supplemental Security Income recipients and youths participating in cooperat~ve education programs. Many DD people are eligible under these targeted groups. In most cases, the state employment security agency is responsible for certifying an individual as a member of a targeted group. The amount of credit allowable for any taxable year is 50 percent of the qualified first year wages up to $16,000 plus 25 percent of the qualified second year wages up to $6,000. HUMAN SERYICES INSTITUTE SEEKS INFORMATION The Human Services Research Institute, (HRSI) has received funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to collect information, cofmnission papers and sponsor a conference on family support of developmentally disabled persons. HSRI requests assistance in locating pro ram examples of suggestions ! designed to ncrease family involvement with developmentally disabled or otherwise handicapped family members. HRSI is especially interested in obtaining information on programs that provide family support through any of the following strategies: --family self-help or advocacy training, --estate planning and/or trust arrangements, --publicly financed cash subsidies, --family support services (e.g. parent training, respite care and foster care), and --federal and/or state tax policies. Information Required (Continued) Program descriptions or suggestions will be accepted in any formatv Send sumnaries to: Valerie J. Bradley, Human Services Research Institute, 120 Milk St, 8th floor, Boston, Mass. 02109. Tel. (617) 542-1812. "AGING OUT" INFORMATION SOUGHT The editor of New Directions, a publication of the National Association of State Mental Retardation Program Directors, Inc. (NASMRPD) is seeking program models, initiatives and legislation related to the "aging out" problem. The term is used to describe mentally retarded and other developmentally disabled individuals who attain an age (around 22) which makes them ineligible for continued special education and other child-oriented services. Send background materials, black and white photographs and/or draft articles for use in future issues of New Directions to: Ruth E. Katz, NASMRPD, 113 Oronoco St ., Alexandria, Va. 22314. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Administrator/Program Director Needed The Brighter Day Residence in Mora, Minnesota, is seeking a Qualified Mental Retarded Professional (QM!7P) to serve as administrator and program director for their various services and programs, Experience preferred. Applicants should send a resume to Rita Opsahl, Brighter Day Residence, 620 N. Wood St. Mora, Minn. 55051. Camp Positions The Association for Retarded Citizens Minnesota is seeking qualified people for the following positions in a camp located 2 miles from Minneapolis. An experienced camp director for a full- time position to operate a camp for people who are mentally retarded. Winter and summer camp sessions for approximately 2000 campers annually. Experience in camp administration, fund raising and programming for people with mental retardation is required. Must have good communication skills. Salary range: $20,000 to $30,000. A full-time camper services coordinator needed. Experience in programming, management skills and working with mentally retarded people. Responsible for registration and organizing camping sessions. Salary range $15,000 to S20,000. Applicants should send resume to: Association for Retarded Citizens of Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES April 7 The fifth annual $letrowide Conference for Consumers will be held from 11 a.m.-9:3O p.m. at the Inver Hills Conxnunity College in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. The conference is for people who are developmentally delayed or mentally retarded who want to learn more about the community in which they live. The associations for retarded citizens from Anoka, Dakota and !+ennepin Counties, and the St. Paul Association for Retarded Citizens are co-sponoring the conference with the Division of Handicapped Student Services of Inver Hills Community College. Tuition is $7 and registration deadline is March 7. For more information contact: St. Paul Association for Retarded Citizens, 65 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 224-3301. April 13, 14 A workshop, sponsored by the Minnesota Epilepsy League, the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, the University of Minnesota-Duluth and the Arrowhead Epilepsy League will be held at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. A variety of subjects related to epilepsy will be covered, including, medication, parent/teacher relationships, employment, learning disabilities and quality of life. For information regarding credits, registration and fees, contact Department of Special Education, 209 Bohannan Hall, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Minn. 55812. Tel. (218) 726-8109. April 27 "Mental Retardation and the Family: A Workshop Exploring Family Systems, Coping Strategies and Abuse" is a workshop sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Minnesota for professionals who work with mentally handicapped people in health, educational andjor social service settings. The workshop will be held at 1965 Ford pw~y., st. paul. The fee is $30. TO register, or for more information, call (612) 698-2401. May 14 Parents Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) will sponsor a presentation on "Microcomputers for the Special Child" at Mayflower Church, intersection of Diamond Lake Road and Hwy. 35W in Minneapolis. The presentation will demonstrate the uses of microcomputer technology for students who are either blind and visually impaired, learning disabled, deaf and hearing impaired, non-vocal, physically handicapped or mentally disabled. Advance registration is requested. The workshop is free for Minnesota parents of handicapped children, but there is a $S fee for professionals which must be paid in advance. For a registration form, or for more information, contact PACER, 4701 Chicago Av., Minneapolis, Minn. 55407. Tel. (612) 827-2966 voice or TTY. May 27 The 108th annual meeting of the American Association of Mental Deficiency (AAMD) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis. Copies of the preliminary program, including housing and registration form may be obtained by writing the AAMD at 5101 Misconsin Av. NW., Washington, DC 20016, or by calling toll-free, (800) 424-3688. Speakers include many nationally recognized experts representing a wide array of services and strategies. Some of these include: Jean Elder (Administration of Developmental Disabilities of Health and Human Services), Dr. David Braddock, Dr. Robert Bruininks, Dr. Frank Menoloscino, Dr. Richard Scheerenberger and b. Mary Tjosvold. Sessions address concerns across the whole range of DD services and the most current professional theory and technologies extant in this country. Readers are urged to call the toll-free number listed above to get more specific information on the agenda and to receive registration forms. Volunteers are needed to monitor meeting rooms, assist convention staff, type and staff a T-shirt booth. Volunteers who work one full day of the conference or two half days will qualify to attend the conference free of charge. Regular registration fees for the conference vary from $40-70 for one day to $75-105 for the full conference. To volunteer, or for more information, call Terry Kayser, (612) 291-6356 or write: Developmental Disability-es Program, 300 Metro Square Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. INFORMATION EXCHANGE Developmental Disabilities Program 201 Capitol Square Building 550 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Minneaota State Planning Agency Roger Strand 612/2964018 Editor AGENDA FOR ASSURING "FUTURES OF QUALITY" PUBLISHED "Services that assist people to build futures of quality in the community must ensure that people with disabilities are not only present in the community, but live, learn, work and participate with other citizens who are not disabled. " This is the challenge presented in a new publication of the Governor-s Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, entitled Toward a Developmental Disabilities Policy Ag enda: Assurin~ Futures of Quallty. Increasingly," the text continues, "public policy supports the idea that the-place for people' with `inabilities to build their future is in che community." The reports calls for a vision of the future where communities act responsibly, and develop the competency to recognize and support citizenship of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities. Future visions should include several goals: --A statewide prevention agenda should developed and implemented. --Early intervention services (birth thrcugh age three) should be availab' for children with disabilities. be e --Services should support, not supplan< families. --Special education should ultimately prepare students for independent living. --Developmental achievement centers and sheltered workshops should emphasize conwnunity integration and opportunities for competitive employment. April 1984 Policy Agenda (Continued) --An array of comnunity residential alternatives must be developed in addition to intermediate care facilities and semi-independent living facilities. Each new option must be flexible and responsive to individual needs. --All persons with developmental disabilities should have access to applications of technology which could improve their quality of life. Besides outlining several steps for achieving each of these goals, specific examples of program innovations from around the country are described. Emphasis is on what is already possible to accomplish, given the utilization of current technology, some imagination and reordering of values and resources. "Our achievements and our aspirations for the future need to be combined in a state policy agenda that increases both equity and access to services through comnunity- based systems," the report states. By redirecting the focus from facilities to clients, guided by a policy agenda, "we can move toward futures of quality for all Minnesotans," it concludes. Copies of this new report will be sent to those on the Developmental Disabilities Program mailing list. Others may place their request by contacting: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296-4018. FEDERAL "COMMUNITY AND FAMILY LIVING AMENDMENTS" MEET WITH CONTROVERSY On Nov. 4, 1983, Sen. John Chafee (R. I. ) introduced S. 2053, the "Conanundty and Family Living Amendments of 1983." S. 2053 is intended "to promote the ful 1 participation of severely disabled individuals in conwnunity and family life." The proposal attempts, as a national policy preference, to transfer Medicaid funds from `institutional settings to community settings." As of 1981, the ratio of government fundin ! between the institutional and consnun ty services sectors was 5:1. The proposed bill attempts to switch this skewed financing pattern in favor of conmwnity services. On Feb. 27, 1983, over 500 people attended a hearing that was chaired by Sen. Durenberger, Minnesota, in Washington, DC. Sen. Chafee opened the session by saying: "Since I introduced this bill last November, I have received questions about the stability of group homes, the advisability of the 10-15 year shift of federal funds to comnunity programs from larger facilities.... We all have a tendency to fear the unknown. That is why we are here today. Me should not deny our retarded and disabled citizens the opportunity to grow and participate in the conmwnity because of our own inability to grapple with the unknown." The following two sumnaries provide only a small sample of the opposing views offered in testimony at the hearing. From Virginia, Peter Kinzler (father of an institutionalized, severely and prof~undly retarded son) was representing the Parents" Network, an informal organization of 60,000 parents of mentally retarded children who live in institutions. "We vehemently oppose enactment of S. 2053," he stated. "Most of today-s institutions for the mentally retarded are well-run places that provide quality care and training for the residents." Kinzler continued. "While we are well aware of the need for more community living arrangements--and fully support additional funds for their creation--we believe they are needed "to supplement, not replace, institutional care." Concerns were raised about consnunity services- continuity and quality: "How would the many services (e.9. therapists and medical care) now provided at institutions be provided? Would bad apples among the staff be weeded out rapidly? Could Medicaid monitor one hundred times the number of living arrangements they now monitor with any reasonable assurance of maintaining quality?" he asked. John Clarke (clinical psychologist and father of a 20-year old son in a Colorado state institution) spoke out in favor of S. 2053. Mr. Clarke had had several occasions to visit exemplary programs in the country (e.g. Macolm-Oakland Regional Center in Michigan) and to attend ` seminars and workshops conducted by such authorities as Dr. Lou Brown and the-late Marc Gold. He asserted that, "they have clearly demonstrated to me that anyone can have his/her needs appropriately met in the community. I do not want my son dumped into just any kind of program." Mr. Clarke called for congressmen to arise above the emotionalism and vested interests and leadership necessary for public policy setting. At the same time, however, he asked that the congressmen listen to the oppositions- concerns and provide the necessary safeguards to ensure continuity of funds and services during the transition. Copies of the complete testimonies of Chafee, Kinzler and Clarke may be obtained from: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296-4018. IDEAS NEEDED FOR COMPUTER CONFERENCE In preparation for a national conference on computer technology for handicapped persons to be held in Minneapolis in September, suggestions for presentations or program ideas are requested by May 30. For more information and proposal form, contact: Paula Barnhart, Computer Technology for Handicapped People, Closing the Gap, P.O. Box 68, Henderson, Minn. 56044. Tel. (612) 655-6573 or (612) 341-8299. PUBLICATIONS 1973 Directory of Licensed and Certified Realth Care Facllltles. Minnesota Department of Health. `Hospitals and related institutions that are licensed and/or certified by Minnesota Health Department are listed in this new directory. Nursing homes, board and care homes and supervised living facilities are among those listed. Cost of the directory is $9, plus $.54 tax and $1.50 for shipping and handling. Available from the Documents Center, 117 University Av., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel. (612) 297-3000, or (800) 652-9747 (toll-free). Foster Care Journal is a new perodical `hat is published by American Foster Care ~esources (AFCR). It is the first of its kind to address the needs and interests of foster parents, foster care workers and supervisors, and foster parent educators. A subscription rate of $8.50 will purchase nine issues per year. Contact: AFCR, P.O. Box 271, King George, Va. 22485, 1982 National Census of Residential Facili ties: Surmnary Report (8 rief #21), Fall. 1983. A re~ort that presents a brief summary of the 1982 national census of residential facilities serving a total of 243,669 mentally retarded residents in diverse settings ranging from family care to state institutions. One-half of the 15,633 facilities studied were opened since Jan. 1, 1978. Most of these recent additions were small group residences whose growth parallels the sharp decline in admissions to large public institutions. Copies may be obtained from: Center for Residential and munity Services, University of mesota, 207 Pattee Hall, 150 SE. " Ilsbury Dr., Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. What Do I DO When I Meet a Person in a Wheelchair? is a pamphlet that suggests certain etfquette and procedures for able bodied peopie. For a free copy, send your request with a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Public Relations Office, Schoitz Medical Center, Kimball and Ridgeway Aves. Waterloo, Iowa 50702. Vinland Training Manuals Available Eight training manuals are available from the Vinland National Center. The cost per manual is $7.50 which includes postage. All manuals relate to persons with disabilities: --Pulk Skiing and Ice Sledding, --An Introduction to Adventure: A Sequential Approach to Challenging Activities, --Health Promotion, Hellness and Medical Self-care, --Introduction to Relaxation Techniques. --Fitness Courses, --Cross Country Skiing, --Introduction to Kayaking, ` --Horseback Riding Contact: Vinland National Center, Lake Independence, Loretto, Minn. 55357. Tel. (612) 479-3555 (voice or ITY). EVENT April 27, 28 "An Advanced Techniques Workshop on Systematic Behavior Change of Developmentally Delayed Children (Autistic, Mentally Retarded and Emotionally Disturbed)" is the title of this two-day event to be held at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Mo. Featured presenters are O. Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D., and Patricia J. Almond, Ph.D. For registration and more information, contact: Behavior Change Workshop, P.O. Box 14068, Portland, Oregon 97214. Tel. (503) 281-4115. YEARNING FOR LEARNING The state Develop&ntil Disabilities (DD) Program Office has.acquired several education, trafning(and r?source matertals. some my be borrowed from each of the regional offices and all from the state program office in St, Paul. Each month, we h~gltll'ght. selections from these resources. State program tel: (612) 296-4018) Multiregional Conference on Institutional Child Abuse and Neglect, C. Washburne. J. VanHull and N. Rindfleisch (Eds) \Columbus, Ohio, May 1982. A compilation of presentations at a conference on the issue of theprotection of childreri in residential institutions. The ultimiite purpose is to inspfre and equip effective advocates and program managers, both in and outside the systems that administer residential institutions for children. "It is only through individual cofmnitment that systems can be held totally and constantly accountable for the care and safety of the children for whom they are responsible," summarizes James A. Harrell, Director of National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children-s Bureau, Washington, DC. Residential Teaching Communities: Program Development and Staff Training for Developmentally Disabled Persons, R. Wetzel and Foresman and Co., 1984. A book that provides a framework for observing, understanding and developing residential teaching environments. Its contents were created in response to a crisis situation and a resident-s aggressive behavior, The solution was not behavior modification. It was environmental modification instead. HOW TO BORROW These two selections are available from the STATE OFFICE only. Call (612) 296- 4018, or write: Developmental Disabilities Program, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, M'inn. 55101. INFORMATION EXCHANGE Published monthly by the Developmental Disabilities Program of the Metropolitan Council Metropolitan Council 300 Metro Square Building St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Toni Lippert: 291-6364 Terrence Kayser: 291-6356 METRO PROGRAM NEWS Comnunity Work Training Program ( CWTP) News The CWTP relies on two different types of staff who work directly with the developmentally disabled (DD) persons pl aced into employment or training positions. Two resource developers are responsible for finding employers or agencies interested in working with `n persons and for developing the JffIfIIg program for each trainee. Once they have successfully placed the person into the setting, the resource developers then direct training assistants who continue the one-on-one training. Training assistants (TAs) play a major role in the CWTP. Not only do they teach the basic skills needed for the job the trainee is engaged in, they also serve as a "coach" in additional areas. For example, several of our trainees required direct instruction in using buses to get to and from their job site. TAs carry out the training program that might include observing landmarks on the bus route and conducting oneself in socially appropriate ways on the bus. This type of instruction is direct and continuous since the instruction occurs in the functional environment with the TA close at hand. The same type of instruction, or coaching, is used at the training site. v- have found that the trainees can :eed to a great extent in performing the basic skills, but often need training on specific parts of the tasks. Sometimes they require coaching in social situations, or need tips on grooming or hygiene. Training assistants provide immediate and timely remedies on an individualized basis. What does it take to function as a training assistant? It varies since there is no single, postsecondary program to teach persons to perform these duties. Perhaps the very few requirements would include, 1) having worked in some capacity with persons who are developmentally disabled, and 2), some experience in an educational or training setting. Other factors that are desirable include good judgment, conmtitment to work continuously with the trainee until fully trained, and the ability'ti get along with people. In future issues of the InformationExchange we will spotlight some of our tralnlng assistants and tell you of their backgrounds and what they do in their jobs. See "Employment Opportunities," page two. Additions to Curriculum Library --Evaluation of Sheltered Enmloyment Programs and Evaluation of Special Education, issued by the Program Evaluation Division, Office of the Legislative Auditor; State of Minnesota. For reviews on both these documents, see page six of this newsletter. Library Additions (Continued) --"Camnunity Health Education Network (CHEN) Materials Lending Libary. " A recent listing of resources required for DD persons livfng in the community. For more information, see page sfx of thfs newsletter. --The Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, volume 8, winter edit ion. Publications and materials in the curriculum library may be borrowed by Metropolitan Area residents for a period of three weeks. Materials must be picked up and returned to the Metropolitan Council. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES Training Assistants Needed Persons interested in becoming training assistants for the Community Uork Training Program of the Metropolitan Council are invited to call Terrence Kayser at 291-6356, or leave a message with the program secretary. (See article on page one of this newsletter). The work hours and days are qufte varied; from two or three days of part-tima work to a full-time 40-hour work week. An information sheet with details of the job responsibilities may be obtained by calling Dr. Kayser. The Departnmt of Public Uelfare (DPH) seeks applicants for the following- positions. Resume5 and applications should be sent as quickly as possible. Mentil Health Prooram Advisor Duties include: providing assistance to county social services agencies fn planning service arrays for the mentally retarded/developmentally dfsabled or mentally ill; assist in developing community alternatives to long-term care and conducting policy and program planning analysis in the mental health field Employment Opportunitfes (Continued) Mental Health Program Consultant Duties include: provfding specialized technical assistance, training and guidance on a statewide basis to managers and administrators of service delfvery systems for the mentally retarded/ developmentally disabled and mentally fll, providing consultation on the application of rules, polfcies and procedures and assist fn the development of conmmity based mental health programs. For a full description of the positions, educational requirements and salarfes, contact: Department of Employee Relatfons, 3rd floor, Space Center, 444 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296-2616. Fundraiser Needed Advocating Change Together, Inc. (ACT) is seekfng a fundraiser. Interested people, send resume-and cover letter by May 7, 1984 to ACT Hirfng Team, 1509 Nfcollet Av., Minneapolis, MN 55403. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The Multfple Sclerosfs (MS) Society fn Minneapolis needs volunteers for MS Camp 84, Sept. 2-7 at Camp Courage in Golden Valley. Volunteers wfll assfst adult campers with MS in their daily livfng activities and participate tn recreational activftfes. For more information, contact: The Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2344 Nfcollet Av. S., Minneapolis, Mfnn. 55404. Tel. 870-1500 or toll-free, 1-800-582-5296. CAMPING, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Mfnnesota Sports Games Set Registration is open for the Minnesota Sports Games sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota and other agencies, to be held at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Center on May 19, 9-5 p.m. competition in track and-field, swimuing and slalom (wheelchair obstacle course) is open to children and adults, ages 8 and older, with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosfs, muscular dystrop~ or closed- head brain injuries. Entry fee is $5. For registration materials, contact Joan Vanderpool, meet coordinator, Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Rd., Golden Valley, Minn. 55422. Tel. (612) 588-0811. Opera Performance at O"Shaughnessy Auditorium On Tuesday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to noon, the Metropolitan Opera of New York will once again present a benefit performance for mentally retarded people of all ages. The performance will be held at O-Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of the College of St. Catherfne in St. "Iul. All persons attending are .sponsible for providing their own transportation. Groups are encouraged to consider bringing lunches to picnic in a nearby park after the performance. Reservations are required. Local arrangements are being handled by the Associations for Retarded Citizens in St. Paul and Hennepin County. Call 224- 3301 or 874-6650. Camping Information The second annual camp for children with epilepsy will be held June 18 - 23 at YMCA Camp Ihduhapi near Loretta, about 22 miles west of Minneapolis. Camp Ozawizaneba is accredited by the Amerfcan Camping Association and features arts and crafts and recreational and instructional activities. Children between the ages of eight and 13 years, whose primary diagnosis is epilepsy may register for the six-day session. Cost is $145, with payment and some finanncial assistance available. The camp is a not-for-profit corporation formed with joint sponsorship and support of the Minnesota Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Gillette Children's Hospital and the Minnesota Epilepsy League. For more information, contact Camp Ozawizaneba, 2701 University Av. SE., Suite 106, Minneapolis, Minn. 55414. Tel. (612) 376-5031. Local Camp Offers Variety of Programs Indian Chief Camp, owned and operated by the Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Hennepin Coun& offers unique themes that are the focus of its one-week overnight sessions. Kid-s Week, Family Camp and Leisun Specialities Camp are new program features for the 1984 season. Returning favorites include Theater in the Moods with the Flying Carpet Theater Company, Sports and Health Camp and R, R & R--Rest, Relaxation and Recreation. The camp is located on Birch Island Lake in Eden Prairie and offers outdoor therapeutic recreation experiences both on and off-site for children and adults who are mentally retarded and who may also have p~sical disabilities. Other programs include canoeing and backpacking trips in a wilderness setting. For further information on programs and registration procedures, contact Kim Keprios; director of consnunity services at ARC of Hennepin County. Tel. (612) 874-6650. FOR YOUR INFORMATION BURIAL EXPENSES CHANGED The Health and Human Services Department has ublished a regulation allowing ! peep e to own burial plots or set aside up to $1,500 for other burial expenses without losing their benefits under the Supplemental Security Income (SS1) program. The value of burial plots and burial funds up to $1,500 will not be cwnted in detmmining an individual's assets. Under existing rules, the SS1 program, which provides aid to the aged, blind and disabled, applies a ceiling on tangible assets of $1,500 (or $2,250 for a couple). Hospitai and-the-Minnesota Epilepsy League. "AGING OUT" INFORMATION SOUGHT The editor of New Directions, a publication of the National Association of State Mental Retardation Program Directors, Inc. (NASMRPD) is seeking program models, initiatives and legislation related to the "aging out" problem. The term is is used to describe mentally retarded and other developmentally developmentally disabled individuals who attain an age (around 22) which makes them ineligible for continued special education and other child-oriented services. Send background materials, black and white photographs and/or draft articles for use in future issues of New Direction to: Ruth E. Katz, NASMRPD, 113 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314 WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES May 6, 7, 8 The Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota (ARRM) will hold its annual conference at the Radisson South Hotel in Bloomington, Minn. Theme of the conference Is "Together...Toward the Future." For more information, contact the ARRM office at 459 Rice St., St. Paul, Minn. 55103. Tel. (612) 291-7475. May 7, 14, 17, 21, 24 A "Sexual Abuse Prevention Seminar" will offer participants an opportunity to explore the role of healthy sexuality in adulthood. The direction of the seesions will include a combination of education about our bodies as well as support for preventing sexual abuse and victimization. Young adults, age 16-30, who are mainstreamed half of the school day, competively employed or employable are invited to attend. The sessions will be held Monday andThursday evenings, commencing May 7, from 7-8:30 p.m. at West Hennepin Community Center, (WHCC) 1001 W. Hwy. 7, Rm. 206 in Hopkins. Facilitators are Mary Perkins from WHCC and Jim Kodacek from ARC hennepin county. There is no fee. To register, call WHCC at 9330-9105 May 11 A one-day conference on "Gentle Teaching" will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Earle Brown continuing Education Center located on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. The wrolshop will assist staff in worki8ng with persons with mental retardation and who also exhibit severe behavioural problems such as aggressive or self-injurious behaviors. the main focus of the workshop will be to give participants practival information on techniques that can be used in classrooms, workshops and home settings. The workshop will be conducted by John J. McGee, Ph.D., University of Nebraska. For a registration form, or for more information, contact: Mary Kay Wood, M.S.W., Program Director, continuing Educaiton in Social Work, University of Minnesota, 107 Armory Bldg., 15 NE. Church St., Minneapolis, Minn. 55455. Tel. (612) 373-5831. May 23 The annual meeting and dinner of the Minneapolis Association for the Hearing Impaired will be held at the St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute, 235 Marshall Av. St. Paul, starting at 6:30 p.m. The speaker is Bob Lauritsen, who will discuss on "The Future and the Hearing Impaired Child--Some Thoughts and Observations." For further information, contact: Sandi Karnowski at (612) 536-9539. INFORMATION EXCHANGE State Supplement Developmental Disabilities Program 201 Capital Square Building 550 Cedar Street St. Paul, MN 55101 Minneeota State Planning Agency Roger Strand 612/296-4018 Editor "GOVERNMENT SPENDING HAS FAVORED INSTITUTIONAL CARE OVER COMMUNITY SERVICES," BRADDOCK TESTIFIES "Over we past eight years, federal and state governments combined spent more than twice as much money in institutions (for persons with developmental disabilities) than in the conrnunity. " This finding was shared by David Braddock on Feb. 27 at the Senate Finance Comnittee hearing on-The Community and Family Living Ainendments of 1983"(S. 2053) in Washington, DC. Braddock is the director of the Evaluation and Public Policy Division, Institute for the Study of Developmental Disabilities, University of Illinois at Chicago. "...The states ave themselves financed the vast majority of the federal-state iniatives fn comnunity services developed since Fiscal Year (FY) 1977, " Braddock continued. Between FY 1977 and FY 1984, $12.9 billion of federal money was spent on reimburse- ments for Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded. "Eighty two percent of these monies was deployed in support of state institutions; only eighteen percent was reimbursement.for connnunity services," Braddock stated. "In my personal view," said Braddock, "S. 2053 will make a major contribution to the well-being of developmentally disabled people and their families if it accomplishes one thing: the adoption of a substantial fiscal incentive for states to enhance comnunity services." In order to facilitate the relocation of thousand of developmentally disabled persons and to phase down institutions, Braddock presented a recently drafted set f facility phase-down/relocation guide- lines, developed by the Evaluation Division project. These guidelines are intended to assist states to be "particularly sensitive to the interests and needs of developmentally disabled individuals, their relatives, and also of affected employees." "Finally," Braddock concluded, "I unequivocally support a major intermediate- term or long-term fiscal incentive to spur the development of community services in the United States. Around this single concept, a consensus can and must be forged, bringing together parents, unions, associations, professionals, and lawmakers who, through responsible reinstitutionali- zation policies, seek simple justice and more appropriate services for people with developmental disabilities." Copies of Braddock-s testimony and guidelines may be obtained from the Developmental Disabilities Program, State Planning Agency, 201 Capitol Square Bldg., 550 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minn. 55101. Tel. (612) 296-4018. NOTE : David Braddock will be speaking at the 108th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Mental Deficiency, May 27-31 in Minneapolis. CALL FOR PROPOSALS AND EXHIBITORS AT DISCOVERY '84 CONFERENCE A call for formal presentations, demonstrations and exhibits has been announced by the University of Hisconsin- Stout, which is sponsoring "Discovery '84: Technology for Disabled Persons." This national conference on computers and other technological products will be held in Chicago, Oct. 1-3, 1984. For more information, contact: Office of Continuing Educat~on, University of Wisconsin-Stour, Menomonie, Wis. 54751. 5 SHELTERED EMPLOYMENT STUDIES BY THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMISSION In 1983, the Legislative Audit Commission directed the Progream Evaluation Division of the Office of the Legislative Auditor to study sheltered employment programs for handicapped person. On March 28, 1984, an evaluation report was published that made the following recommendations with repsect to sheltered employment and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) of the De3partment of Economic Security, who oversees these programs: --The current system of subsidies should be replaced by one in whfch sheltered employment is a service that DVR purc~~s on behalf of handicapped, persons. --DVR should be a prudent buyer of services and should pay for sheltered employment programs on the basis of measures of quality and effectiveness. --me funding system should provfde financial incentives for workshops and other servfce vendors to place handicapped persons fn conpetftfve jobs and should pay for efforts by mrkshops to support a worker-s transition to competitive employment. --The state should increase the availability and use of training programs that teach actual job skills fn a work setting. At the same time, the state should spend less money on training programs that predictably result fn a sheltered work placement. --DVL should develop an ongofng system to monftor and evaluate sheltered employment programs. It should measure program effectiveness from the state-s perspective as a purchaser of services and from the worker-s point of view, as ~ ~onsu~r. Cog s of the report may be obtafned from: Off~:e of the Legislative Auditor, Program Evaluation Dfvfsfon, Veteran-s Service Bldg. St. Paul, Minn. 55155. (612) 296- 4721. LEGISLATIVE AUDITOR EVALUATES SPECIAL EDUCATION IN MINNESOTA An evaluation report was recently released by the Legislative Auditor that shares the results of a study of special education in Minnesota. "There is ...general legislative concern about the effectiveness of the special education programs that now require approximetely $125 million in state categorical aids annually," the report states. Besides developing more specific definitions or elfgibilfty crfteria for handicapping conditions, the Minnesota Department of Education "also needs to show mon leadership and provfde more guidance to school districts regarding the monitoring of student progress and the evaluation of instructional methods and programs in special education," the report continues. Improved policies and practices were recommended particularly for students with learning disabilities, emotfonal/behavioral disorders, speech- language impairments, and for early childhood special education programs. For further information and copies of the report, contact: OffIce of the Legislative Audftor, Program Evaluation Division, Veteran-s Service Bldg., St. Paul, Minn. 55155. Tel. (612) 296-4721. LENDING LIBRARY ADDRESSES HEALTH NEEDS, PLUS The Community Health Education Network (CHEN) has recently published a new directory of resources availbale through its lending library. Although specializing in health needs, (e.g. medical, dental and mental health), a number of other areas are addressed, such as: socialization and sexuality, living skills, cooking and nutrition and employment. A publisher's list of catalogues is also provided. Materials may be borrowed up to three weeks at a time. CHEN staff also provide consutlation, research and referral services. Contact: Sally Swallen or nan Puelston, CHEN, Association for Retarded Citizens of Minnesota, 3225 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. (612)827-5641 or 1 (800) 582-5256, toll free. DURENBERGER INTRODUCES VOTING RIGHTS BILL In March, Minn. Sen. David Durenberger, Minnesota, testified befor the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration regarding the Voting Rights for the Handicapped and Elderly Act (S. 1676). This proposed legislation will require that voting facilities be accessible in federal elections. More specifically, the major features of the bill would provide the follow: --Polling place and voter registration sites for federal elections that are not accessible must be located in facilities providing temproray access by ramps or other means to individuals in wheelchairs; --Supplemental voting and registration aides must be available to handicapped and elderly person; --Individuals who require assistance in casting their votes may disignate persons of their choice to assist them; and --The inconviniences and expenses associated with absentee ballot procedures would be eliminted. In his testimony, Durenberger said, "(The bill's) provisions are simple and inexpensive, yet offer a real chance for thousands of disabled and elderly voters to participate in the electoral process." WILDERNESS INQUIRY II PROMISES SUMMER ADVENTURES A number of wilderness excursions are scheduled this summer by Wilderness Inquiry II, a nonprofit group that believes wilderness trips are enriching and rewarding experiences for all people. Camping and canoeing adventures will be conducted in Boundard Waters Canoe Area, other wilderness areas in the Midwest and in Northwestern Ontario. Camping gear, food and transportation between Minneapolis and the wilderness are provide. Fees range from $40 to $225, (except Yukon trips), and special financial assistance is available. For more information, contact: Wilderness Inquiry II, 2929 4th Av. S., Suite 0, Minneapolis, Minn. 55408. Tel. (612)827-4001. TRAINING SESSIONS SCHEDULED ON WAIVERED SERVICES The Minnesota Department of Public Welfare (DPW) has scheduled one-day training sessions during May in various regions of the state. The training sessions will discuss the ecisting waiver for elderly persons and the proposed waiver for mentally retarded persons under the Title XIX program. The locations and dates are as follows: --Duluth, May 7; Brainerd, May 9; Fergus Falls, May 11; Rochester, May 21; Mankato, May 22; --Metro Area: Maplewood Holiday Inn, May 14; Minnesota Zoo Lodge, May 16; Hennepin County Government Center, May 18; A registration fee of 6-8 is anticipated. For preregistration, call: Julie Greenberg (DPW), (612) 297-1239. EVENTS May 30 "Being in community: Creating Caring Congregations and Neighborhoods" is the theme of a conference featuring Dr. harold Wilke and Robert Perske to be held at Westminister Presbyterian Church, 12th St. and Nocillet mall, Minneapolis. The conference fee of $20 includes lunch. Contact the Association for Retarded Citizens--St. Paul. Tel. (612) 224-3301. June 21-23 The National Prader-Willi Syndrome Association will hold its annual conference at eht Thunderbird Motel in Bloomington. Prader-Willi Syndrome is characterized by mild mental retardation and an instaible appetite coupled with weight gain on a normal calorie diet. Volunteers are needed to conduct planned activities with children of parents in attendance at the conference. To volunteer, call: Robert J. Carlson at (612) 938-8130. For registration information, call: Marge Wett at (612) 933-0113. YEARNING FOR LEARNING The state Developmental Disabilities (DD) program Office has acquired several education, training and resource materials. Some may be borrowed from each of the regional DD offices and all from the state program office in St. Paul. Each month, we highlight selections from these resources. Boating for the Handicapped: Guidelines for the Physically Disable, Eugene Hedley, Human Resources Center, Albertson, New York, 1979. The purpose of these guidelines is to maximize recreational boating opportunities for persons with physical handicaps. The text is in print and braille. Content includes boating safety, emergency procedures, and accessibility problems. "Boating is an opportunity to experience unexcelled pleasure of functioning independently," the author states. Planning, conducting and Evaluating Workshops: A Practitioner's Guide to Adult Education, Larry Nolan Davis, Learning Concepts, 1974. The purpose of this book is to provide a practical aid for those who are part-time adutl educators with limited preparation f