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Jenna Morrissette was part of "inclusion and mainstreaming� from preschool to adulthood. She was one of the first students in the St. Paul School district to be included in her neighborhood school, wheelchair and all. She wanted to be active in the community, to have a job, to be part of her church, and to socialize.

Unfortunately for many people with disabilities, years of inclusion during grade school are mismatched with limited choices in adulthood. Graduation often brings people face to face with four bed group home settings that may not suit them. Of course, the answer is not to criticize the four bed group home setting � the answer is to move away from all generalization � and this means providing choice.

Luckily, Minnesota is among the most progressive States in terms of services for people with disabilities. Consumer Directed Community Supports (CDCS) has allowed many people like Jenna to live in the community with personalized support systems. Still, with the troubled state of government funding across the country, Minnesota began a practice called �rebasing� in 2003 which recalculated the formula that provides funding to families like the Jenna's. In her case, rebasing meant a 50% cut in the services that allowed her to live the inclusive community lifestyle she had built.

With others like Jenna facing the same threat, the Minnesota Disability Law Center challenged the Department of Human Services with a lawsuit in 2006. �We agreed to be plaintiffs in the lawsuit to help Jenna and others maintain reasonable services to enable them to stay at home with their families rather than have to live in a group home setting.� Says Cindy Johnson, Jenna�s mother. The lawsuit eventually restored the funding and brought other improvements. But the experience was not cut and dry.

�The stress was enormous! We were scared of what might happen to our family if we lost, and it�s hard to have your health needs and personal information broadcast in public. Jenna�s life was turned upside down because she could understand the ramifications and was scared of having to move somewhere else, or not getting the help she needs. She cried alot.

�It was particularly hard on me because I am an advocate � I work with Arc and DHS on policy and legislation, and I had to continue my work while in an adversarial position with some of my colleagues because of the lawsuit.� As a result of the stand they took, Jenna and her parents (along with two other plaintiffs in the case) were given the Betty Hubbard Family Advocacy Award from the Arc of Minnesota. This award is given to individuals or families who make a strong impact on service systems or public policy.

Issues like this are never easy. As Jenna and her family found from their experience, lines of affiliation can be crossed and individuals can be pulled in opposite directions. Yet there is common ground: that individualized support systems are a vital option for Minnesotans with disabilities. As this common ground is bombarded by unprecedented budget challenges on the county, state and federal levels, the complex interests of individuals and organizations will clash. When this happens, it is crucial to keep common ground at the forefront.

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Reader comments

"This is a wonderful example of Consumer Direction finding its way. Bravo!"
- Jim P, Minneapolis

"The conflicts of interests can be so confusing in cases like this. I don't think it's a matter of winning or losing."
- Carol, Woodbury

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