By JAMEY HELGESON

Housing Access Services has been developed to advance the consideration of consumer controlled housing options by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are on a waiver through the Department of Human Services, their families, and others who help them.

Consumer controlled housing: housing arranged with the needs and preferences of the consumer in the forefront, rather than the needs and preferences of the service provider or service funder-clearly contributes to the well-being of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Housing alone is insufficient to support most persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community- supports and services are also crucial elements.

These include advocacy groups serving people with disabilities, county and state elected officials and administrators, case managers, mortgage bankers, real estate professionals, housing developers, service providers and other members of the community in which people with disabilities live.

Give Tammy a call to see how she can help you find a home you want and the support you need and you will be able to live on your own terms, rather than feeling like a guest in places that are owned or rented and controlled by the agencies that provide services. A house doesn’t feel like home unless people are comfortable.

To learn more about our Housing Access Services Program please call Tammy at 507-433-8994 ext. 103.

A Taste of Mower County

Come join Arc for a fun filled evening on March 19, 2011 at the Grand Ball Room located at the Holiday Inn.

Come meet the cooks that are entering the contest for a traveling trophy. We will have wine tasting, a silent auction and door prizes.

Thus far we have Dave from Apollo, Ken from Hormel, Elizabeth from HyVee, Jack from The Cedars, Bob from The Restaurant Warehouse, Kermit from Watts Cookin’, Eric from Sweet’s Hotel, Amy Riley with Home Business, Ken from Austin Country Club, Taylor from Perkins and there is still room for more.

Cooks are asked to make their favorite dish and bring to serve bite size samples to the audience who will vote for their favorite and the cook with the most votes will win the travelling trophy. Please come out to the Holiday Inn on March 19, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in the evening and for a great time and socialization.

If you would like to participate in our fundraiser by entering, donating a door prize or becoming a sponsor please call 433-8994 ext. 103 and we will get you all set up.

Upcoming Events

n Tuesday: Open Center, 6 – 8:30 p.m.

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

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

n Friday: Newsletter assembly, 2 to 4 p.m.; Bingo, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

n Saturday: Movie Matinee, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

n March 28: PACER Workshop — Six Skills for Effective Parent Advocacy, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Learn six important skills you can use to become a more effective advocate for your child with a disability.

n April 16: Prom, theme: Light Up The Night at St. Edwards Corcoran Center

n May 20- 21: Minnesota Self Advocacy Conference

n June 11: Minnesota Twins Game (vs. San Diego Padres)

n June 17: Rochester Honkers Baseball Game in the Outback Steakhouse Suite