The CEO of Cass, Incorporated, in Atlantic, has issued a statement with regard to a new Medicaid “Settings Rule.” Glenda Farrier says in recent years, primary funding for organizations like CASS Incorporated across the country has gone under Medicaid, the governmental insurance program for people meeting its income guidelines and for people with disabilities. CASS currently receives over 90% of its funding for services from this federal program, which is administered by the state.

The recently introduced “Settings Rule” declares Medicaid will no longer fund services for people with disabilities provided in a “segregated” setting after March 17th, 2019. The action upholds the intent of a Supreme Court ruling called the Olmstead Decision and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, both of which refer to the segregation of people with disabilities away from the general population—therefore, a civil rights issue.

CASS Incorporated serves about 140 people in its comprehensive array of service offerings and has been a community rehabilitation provider since 1977. Our community employment and residential support services are done entirely in the community. Those services, by definition, are considered “integrated” as they are provided to the people we serve where they live and work, among the general population and within the community. Therefore, those services are compliant with the new Settings Rule.

Our segregated services would be those provided at our sheltered workshop and our day activity programs at our 7th Street location. These services are considered segregated because the majority of people attending at these locations are people with disabilities and the location itself is not a part of the general community.

Therefore, over the next four years, and in compliance of the Settings Rule effective date of March 17, 2019, CASS, Incorporated will be redefining how its services will be provided within the community and implementing that transformation. The Medicaid Settings Rule is nation wide and will create a shift in how services to people with disabilities will be provided all over the country.

(Press Release)

A Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Deputy who died in the line of duty a little more than 82-years ago, will be honored Friday during a ceremony, in Des Moines. Governor Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim K. Reynolds and other state dignitaries will honor Special Deputy Claude B. Dail and three other officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. Each of the men died while serving to protect and keep Iowa communities safe. Dail died Aug. 25th, 1932.

Iowa Peace Officer Memorial, in Des Moines.

The public is invited to attend the event set to take place 10-a.m. Friday, at the Peace Officer Memorial located near the Oran Pape State Office Building (at 215 East 7th Street). In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in the rotunda, at the State Capitol.

The Governor’s office says if you are unable to attend this year’s ceremony, there are many ways you can observe National Police Week, during May 10-16, 2015. Please take time and thank current peace officers for protecting and serving your community and the great State of Iowa.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) – The City Council is expected to vote Monday on a proposal for a special baseball field for mentally and physically disabled players in Sioux City.
The Sioux City Journal reports that if the development agreement were approved, Miracle League of Sioux City would be allowed to build a $750,000 field at the Riverside Recreational Sports Complex. The project would include a playground.

If the agreement were approved, the city would give the developer a $330,000 grant. Construction would begin May 12 and end on Sept. 15. Miracle League provides baseball for people regardless of mental or physical capability. There are similar facilities in Des Moines and in Omaha, Nebraska. The field and playground would be built on custom-designed, rubberized material that would accommodate wheelchairs or other devices.