Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

February 7th Event Honors Minnesotans
Who Helped Achieve the Shift to Community Living

2001 is first year where all citizens with developmental disabilities are freed from institutional care facilities

The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities honored those who made major contributions in attaining the goal of freeing those with developmental disabilities from institutional care at a special recognition lunch on Wednesday, February 7th, at the St. Paul Hotel.

More than 100 Minnesotans, including former governors, judges, medical and social service professionals, community leaders and families, were recognized for the roles they played in a successful 50-year changeover to a more humane and respectful system. For the first time, the State of Minnesota began a year where all citizens with developmental disabilities were in community living or family settings, freed from the institutional care facilities of the past.

Among those who took part in the event were former governors Elmer L. Anderson and Arne Carlson, together with former U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger, family representatives for governors receiving the honors posthumously, and a host of leaders in the effort, past and present. Recognition also was extended to several individuals with disabilities, members of families with people with developmental disabilities, and more than a dozen organizations.

 

Back

©2025 The Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
Administration Building   50 Sherburne Avenue   Room G10
St. Paul, Minnesota 55155
Phone: 651-296-4018   Toll-free number: 877-348-0505   MN Relay Service: 800-627-3529 OR 711
Email: admin.dd.info@state.mn.us    View Privacy Policy    An Equal Opportunity Employer 

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center, the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 2401MNSCDD, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects with government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official ACL policy.

This website is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,152,808.00 funded by ACL/HHS and $222,000.00 funded by non-federal-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.