The Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled on Dec. 17, that the 20 percent wage cut for personal care attendants (PCAs) who serve relatives is unconstitutional.

The court found that the wage cut creates “arbitrary distinctions between relative and non-relative personal care attendants…and therefore is unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Minnesota Constitution.”

The Arc Minnesota applauds this decision. If the State of Minnesota decides to appeal the ruling, the 20 percent cut will remain in statute and The Arc Minnesota will then work to permanently restore the cut in the 2013 Legislative Session.

 

The Arc Minnesota receives award

On Dec. 3, The Arc Minnesota received the Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Award from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for Housing Access Services.

A partnership between The Arc Minnesota, DHS and local chapters of The Arc, Housing Access Services (HAS) has helped more than 600 people with disabilities find homes of their own in their community.

DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson (far left) presented the award to Cindy Johnson, from left, HAS Coordinator; Steve Larson, The Arc Minnesota’s Senior Policy Director; and Scott Schifsky, The Arc Minnesota’s Program Director. Also at the ceremony were John Lay and Sean Campbell of Mankato, two self-advocates who found places of their own through HAS; Colleen Campbell, Sean’s mother; Lee Ann Erickson, HAS staff member for The Arc Minnesota Southwest, which serves Mankato; and other board members, staff, and friends of The Arc. DHS has also created a new video on HAS, with interviews with The Arc staff, parents and county staff who provide the support to help people with disabilities move to a place of their own.