State Budget Cut Nearly $100 Million
 
Governor Baker released nearly $100 million in state budget reductions this week and disability agencies are not exempted.  The most significant reduction is in MassHealth with a total of about $20 Million.  MassHealth's partial solution to the cut impacts a program important to our constituents.  The agency proposes a 10% cut in the funding provided to human service agencies for their management of the Adult Family or Foster Care (AFC) program (no cut is planned for the stipends themselves). To offset the cut, MassHealth will reduce the number of visits agencies have to make to caregivers, but this is only a partial solution.  From our perspective, it's critical for MassHealth officials to study the program in greater depth before making such a significant reduction.  It's bound to hurt the capacity of the program.
 
Other cuts affect many of the programs and services that were vetoed earlier this year and overridden by the Legislature. Among some of the reductions or eliminations are: Operation House Call (eliminated), Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment, Dental Health Services, and Aging with Developmental Disabilities (eliminated).
 
We encourage agencies to share any feedback regarding the proposed impact or regulation adjustments with us. We are especially concerned about the impact on those served.  Please contact Maura Sullivan, Director of Government Affairs at [email protected]
 
We are happy to share that Continuous or Block nursing will receive a much needed 2.6% rate increase. Nursing services are having an impossible time recruiting nurses due to the number of years that the rate hasn't been increased (nurses have left for hospitals and other settings). We hope further increases will be proposed for the program to ensure families obtain the in home care they need for children and adults with significant medical conditions.

Sincerely,
Leo V. Sarkissian 
Executive Director
YOU'RE INVITEDgiving
Join us as the Prudential Tower is lit up 
in The Arc's signature orange!

Friday, December 16 at 5:00pm 

The Arc of Massachusetts has been chosen to be a lighting partner for The Shops at Prudential Center's 31 Nights of Light. Each December the Prudential Tower is lit up nightly to raise awareness of important causes, and this year on December 16 the Pru will be lit up in orange for The Arc. 

Join us for festive songs by the Minute Man Chorus, the ceremonial flipping of the light switch, and more! It will be a fun time for all - and you may even get some of your holiday shopping done! 

For details visit arcmass.org/lighting or contact Amelia Cordischi at 
781-891-6270 x6104 or [email protected].
 
WEBINARwebinar
Advanced Legislative Advocacy Training
January 11, 2017, 7:00-8:00 PM, $25
 
Advoc ate to Improve Changes for those with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, including Autism
 
The Advanced Training will focus on:
  • Building and strengthening relationships with your elected officials
  • Critical strategic planning and the budget
  • Measuring your effectiveness and success
  • Identifying and understanding obstacles
Presented by The Arc of Massachusetts:  Maura Sullivan, Director of Government Affairs and Program Director of Operation House Call and Charlie Fiske, Director of Public Policy 
WHAT'S TRENDINGwhatstrending
Bay Cove Human Services Named
Top Place To Work
Bay Cove Human Services is proud to announce that the organization was named one of the T op Places to Work by The Boston Globe for a fourth consecutive year. The 2016 installment of this prestigious list of top Massachusetts employers was published in the Boston Globe on November 20th.
 
Top Places to Work  recognizes the state's most admired companies, voted on by those who know them the best-the employees. Bay Cove staff took an anonymous survey measuring employee satisfaction in categories including company direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay/benefits, and engagement.
 
"We're tremendously honored to once again be named to Top Places to Work ," says Bill Sprague, Bay Cove's President & CEO. "This great achievement is a powerful indication of the deep investment our employees feel in the vital work we do everyday, and of the corresponding investment they know Bay Cove has in each of them."
 
To learn more, please visit www.baycove.org. 
DDS Open Interest Period
DDS has announced An Open Interest Period will be held to allow DDS eligible families the opportunity to submit an Interest Form for the DESE/DDS Residential Prevention Program.  The DESE/DDS Residential Prevention Program is designed to provide in-home supports to school-age participants who are at risk of requiring an out-of-home placement. The intent of the program is to increase a family's capacity to maintain their child at home, providing in-home supports and support for access to their community.   The Program is designed to complement, not supplant, other sources of individual supports such as school programs, other state-federal resources, and insurance benefits.
 
DDS will accept Interest Forms for the DESE/DDS Residential Prevention Program between January 9, 2017 and January 31, 2017.  Please note that submitting an interest application does not guarantee acceptance into the program.  Please click on the link to view the notice and application. If you need assistance please connect with your local Family Support Center.
CALENDARcalendar
A new group for families is forming. Adults with Down Syndrome and Mental Health Conditions will meet in Waltham on January 7th. RSVP to Colleen Endres, Teen and Adult Services Director at  [email protected] or (781) 221-0024 x207.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTsponsorspotlight
The Arc of Massachusetts | 781-891-6270 |   arcmass.org
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