FS 360 Proposal Summary: The Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities proposes to create a one stop family support center to assist at least 50 targeted families on an annual basis to preserve, maintain, and strengthen the family unit. The center will be designed and provide the types of services identified by families and community members in the Near North neighborhoods of Minneapolis, Minnesota who participated in a series of focus groups that were conducted during the planning year.

The National Association of Parents with Children in Special Education (NAPCSE) is a national association that is dedicated to ensuring that all children and adolescents with special needs receive the best education possible. NAPCSE serves the interest of parents with children in special education by giving them numerous resources within the field of special education. By having an association that they can truly call their own, parents with children in special education now have an association that is completely devoted to their needs. NAPCSE advances and strengthens its community through networking, research, publications, and membership benefits.

The Red Book serves as a general reference source about the employment-related provisions of Social Security Disability Insurance and the Supplemental Security Income Programs for educators, advocates, rehabilitation professionals, and counselors who serve people with disabilities. This resource includes an overview of employment supports and how they help people with disabilities, and a section on health care and Medicaid protections for people with disabilities who are working or want to work.

NASDDDS Handbook on Inclusive Meetings and Presentations — This Handbook provides guidelines to help assure that self advocates can participate in meeting discussions and contribute in meaningful ways by expressing their own points of view.

The 2005-2007 edition of the "Minnesota Guidebook to State Agency Services" is now available online.

This 10th edition of the Guidebook lists nearly all state government agencies and provides contact information that includes locations, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail and web site addresses.

The new Guidebook is also available in a printed, 403-page version for $14.95, plus tax, from Minnesota's Bookstore, 660 Olive St. (one block east of I-35E and one block north of the University Avenue) in St. Paul. The Guidebook can be ordered online at www.minnesotasbookstore.com and by telephone at 651/297-3000 locally or 1-800-657-3757 toll-free outside the greater metropolitan area.

Links — An extensive list of disability-related Web sites and information resources.

GCDD Linking Policy

Disability Mapping System — for State of Minnesota. The Land Management Information System (LMIC) has created a series of mapping modules based on an in depth analysis of the 2000 Census data. This analysis includes information that is categorized by disability, age, and employment status. The mapping modules allow users to create customized maps and data tables that can be included in documents, reports, or grant proposals.