January 26, 2017






Landmark Decision Made

The decision by Governor Charlie Baker and Secretary Marylou Sudders to right-size the Department of Developmental Services' Turning 22 budget is a major policy change. The Arc has been advocating for it since the 2009 recession. The Turning 22 program funds people who have an intellectual or other disability and require adult services. Without this funding, persons and families often face tough choices: a parent may have to leave his/her job, a young adult may be stuck at home in a potentially unsafe and isolating situation, and other undesirable outcomes. The Governor's Fiscal Year 2018 budget, which was released yesterday, fully funds this line item with $24 million, while addressing ongoing needs for this year's graduates.
 
Since 2010, the number of students turning 22 has increased by 53% to nearly 1,000 per year; the funding formula, however, has not been updated since the early 2000s. While the differing needs of students with autism and other disabilities still needs to be addressed, this decision should be applauded.
 
 
Secretary of Health & Human Services Marylou Sudders

The Arc thanks the administration and will strongly advocate for this budget during the legislative session and encourage legislators to embrace it. It is a policy change that both branches can be proud of, especially as we move through an uncertain future on the federal level.

We will have more on the budget in the coming day, including the health care market reform package. The administration hopes will address the growth in Medicaid enrollment, which is projected to reach two million members by June 2018. Our budget chart will be posted on our website.
  
Sincerely,
Leo V. Sarkissian 
Executive Director

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRSgovernmentaffairs
United Arc families share stories 
with area legislators
Senator Adam Hinds
Late last year, twelve Franklin County families met at The United Arc Family Center in Turners Falls with then State Senator-Elect Adam Hinds (Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden District), Jessie Cooley, aide to Rep. Paul Mark (Second Berkshire  District), and Paul Dunphy, Director of Constituent  Services for Rep. Stephen Kulik (First Franklin District). This meeting was a result of a newly formed Parent/Caregiver group started by The United Arc's Family Support staff. The group meets twice a month. It is not a "support group" per se, but provides opportunities to unite parents and caregivers and bring them together for camaraderie, sharing of resources, advocacy, information, and fun. 
 
A number of the regular attendees have children of transition age. Previously, Paul Dunphy stated that he and Rep. Kulik wanted to know more about the transition process. The group decided to invite area legislators or their representatives to meet with families.   Read more here
 
Legislative Update on Bills
state house
The filing date for new bills for the 2017-18 legislative session was Friday, January 20 . Over 5,700 bills were filed this year and The Arc is actively supporting nine of those. Legislators have until February 3 to co-sign onto any of these bills. We urge you to review the nine bills that are supported by The Arc's Government Affairs Committee as well as the Steering Committee. In addition, we ask that you call your Representative and Senator at 617-722-2000 and ask that they sign onto the nine bills. There are additional bills that we will be tracking that have been refiled from the last legislative session. We will keep you posted about them. Click here for details.
WEBINARwebinar
In 2017 ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts will be available in Massachusetts! 
Thursday, February 16, 7:00-8:00 PM, $25
 
In 2014 President Obama signed the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE Act, into law. The ABLE Act provides a vehicle for families to save for the future care of their child with special needs through an account made available by similar legislation for 529 college savings plans. People with disabilities and family members can open special savings accounts in which they can save money without jeopardizing their government benefits. Ohio, Florida, Nebraska and Tennessee have all launched ABLE accounts, based on the 2014 ABLE Act and Massachusetts will join them in 2017. Funds can be used to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other expenses. Learn how the ABLE account can help support your loved ones.
Presenters Frederick M. Misilo, Jr. Esq. of Fletcher Tilton and John Nadworny, CFP of Special Needs Financial Planning a practice of Shepherd Financial Partners.
Frederick M. Misilo, Jr.
John Nadworny
WHAT'S TRENDINGwhatstrending
Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports FINDS Survey needs your participation!
The Arc of US is inviting people to participate in the 2017 FINDS survey. The goal of the survey is to learn more about the experiences of parents and family members who provide support to a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability.
To participate, the individual must be 18 years or older and provide primary unpaid and frequent support to a person with an intellectual or developmental disability living in the United States (and U.S. territories). This survey is being conducted by the University of Minnesota's Research and Training Center on Community Living and The Arc.
Questions? Contact Lynda Anderson at the University of Minnesota at 612.626.7220.
CALENDARcalendar


Save the Date for our 39th Annual Legislative Reception!
Presented by The Arc of Massachusetts and MDDC

Monday, March 27, 2017
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Great Hall, State House

Asperger Syndrome and Adult Life: 
Navigating Massachusetts Public and Private Supports
and Service Systems Conference
 
 Saturday, February 4, 2017, Newton, MA
 

Learn The Basics of Self-Advocacy
with The Arc of Massachusetts and Special Olympics Massachusetts

Wednesday, February 8, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Yawkey Sports Training Center, 512 Forest St., Marlborough
The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and CDDER are pleased to present a series of webinars focused on Aging with Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD). These webinars are designed to introduce topics associated with aging and IDD, as well as provide additional resources. The intended audience for these webinars are caregivers, families, direct support professionals, residential managers, and case managers. 
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTsponsorspotlight


Did you know?

landscape_forest_tree.jpg

When The Arc of Massachusetts was moving out of our old building, we recycled 3,606 pounds of paper and saved 30.65 trees!

The Arc of Massachusetts | 781-891-6270 |   arcmass.org
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