Courage Center Experts Disagree with Proposed State Budget Cuts

Courage Center News Release


(Golden Valley, Minn., Jan. 27, 2009) – Minnesotans with chronic conditions and disabilities face very real threats to their health and independence under the proposed budget of Gov. Tim Pawlenty, according to health care policy experts at Minneapolis-based Courage Center.

“As a leading rehabilitation service organization we provide therapy services to thousands of Minnesotans following an illness, surgery or tragic accident,” said Jan Malcolm, CEO of Courage Center. “While our services would be cut by almost $1.7 million under the proposed budget, the broader effects on the community would be far more severe. The Governor proposes to completely eliminate physical, occupational, speech and audiology therapies from all public health insurance programs for adults in need of rehabilitation.

“When the I-35W bridge fell, we and other providers helped those individuals who were hurt return to their lives and livelihoods. Under this budget, we would get paid for those with employer-based health coverage, but not for those on Medical Assistance. That’s short sighted.”

Rehabilitation services are the very services that people need in order to avoid loss of function or the development of secondary complications, which cost far more money in the long run. “This is completely contrary to the state’s goals in health reform, which call for better management of complex and chronic medical conditions,” said Malcolm.

For more than 80 years, Courage Center has been a leading advocate for Minnesotans with disabilities and chronic conditions, providing a wide array of services to promote health and independence across the life span.


Other proposed budget cuts would:

Cut by 3 percent, all payments for outpatient medical services through public health insurance programs.
Cut by 3 percent, all payments for Medical Assistance waiver services.
Cut by 3 percent, payments to nursing homes (including Courage Center’s Transitional Rehabilitation Program for newly injured individuals with brain and spinal injuries).
Eliminate dental, podiatry and chiropractic care for those on public health programs.
Eliminate critical access dental services, a new state program designed to reach the most underserved areas of Minnesota.
Eliminate access to personal care attendant (PCA) services for 2,100 people.
Limit access to some long-term care services (Medical Assistance waivers) that provide case management and other services to those with severe disabilities who would otherwise reside in institutional settings.
Increase monthly premiums for a jobs program that encourages people with disabilities to return to work.
While human services spending represent a growing part of the state’s budget, it includes critical services for the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

“We were saddened to see that people with disabilities and the elderly didn’t crack the governor’s Top 5 priorities,” said John Tschida, Courage Center’s vice president of Public Affairs and Research. “Human Services funding is taking a huge hit – $1.3 billion in cuts. No other area of the budget comes close to this level of pain. This budget fails to acknowledge the state’s changing demographics and the need for future planning,” he said.

Winter Scenes from Camp Courage

A Forum on Life- New Program Option For Adults with Aspergers

Courage North Presents…
A Forum on Life
A camp session specially designed for adults with Aspergers
June 11-18, 2009
• Participate in a variety of fun, recreational camp activities
• Network and make friends with other adults with Aspergers
• Participate in resume writing and practice job interviews
• Classes to help you better understand verbal and non-verbal communication
• Learn strategies to assist you with time management

To Apply: Applications can be downloaded at www.couragecenter.org/camps or call 1-866-520-0504 to request an application.

Fees: A $40 application fee is required for all campers. The full session fee is $1,225.00. Campers unable to pay the full fee may be eligible for financial assistance. Please refer to the camp fee schedule on page F of the camp application for more information.

For More Information: Contact Courage Center camps at 1-866-520-0504 or camping@couragecenter.org

Valentine's Day Weekend Family Camp

Has cabin fever set in? Do you find yourself dreaming of summer? We have the perfect solution. Grab your family, pack your bags and head to Courage North for our first ever Valentine's Day Weekend Family Camp.
This fun-filled weekend is designed for families that include individuals with disabilities.Family Camp begins February 13, 2009 and continues through February 16,2008. During your getaway, you and your family will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of winter recreation and Valentine's activities. Not to mention, lakeside winter sunsets are amazing at Courage North! Don't miss out on this opportunity to spend quality time with your family and meet new friends! For more information, please contact our main office at (763)-520-0504 or camping@couragecenter.org

Dance With Courage to Benefit Camp Courage

Hundreds of local dance students will be dancing to raise money for
Camp Courage at Mall of America

WHO: Dance students.

WHAT: The dancers will show off their talent in the third annual Dance with Courage Dance-a-thon hosted by Dance Arts Centre. The event will be emceed by Tom Butler, Fox 9 TV morning anchor.Participants are raising money through pledges to benefit Camp Courage.

Courage Center camps offer safe, accessible, natural environments for children with disabilities. Campers will be on-site to share their experiences and participate in the event.

WHEN: Sunday, February 1
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE: Mall of America – Rotunda

For more information, please contact Chau Laux at 763-520-0561

Courage North Alum Helps Establish a Disability Awareness Honor House at St. Olaf

A little over a year ago, Matthew Nesheim, a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. and a former Courage North summer camp counselor, approached Courage Center with an idea. He wanted to create an honor house on the St. Olaf College campus dedicated to disability awareness. Kurt Wiger, Courage Center coordinator of volunteers and interns, worked with Matt and seven other St. Olaf students to structure their mission and apply for the honor house. Their request was granted and the first SODA house was created for the 2008-2009 school year. Each month SODA has a focus on a different disability and works to educate the students and faculty. In November the focus was on disabilities due to trauma. Kurt Wiger and Shawn Dean presented to the student body on Nov. 18. On Nov. 21, the film “Murderball” was presented as part of their film festival and two Courage Center rugby team members traveled to Northfield to discuss the sport in greater detail. Here’s an article from the St. Olaf Manitou Messenger on the experience of the eight SODA members during their Chair Aware Day this past Nov. 20. http://media.www.manitoumessenger.com/media/storage/paper1350/news/2008/12/05/News/Inaccessibility.Exposes.Weaknesses-3572590.shtml