STAY CONNECTED:
January 11, 2018
LEO'S LETTER leo
The Epidemic Of #MeToo In The I/DD Community

In this week's video edition of Leo's Letter, Leo discusses NPR's important new series - Abused and Betrayed: People with Intellectual Disabilities and an Epidemic of Sexual Assault - and addresses the pressing need for change in sexual education and awareness within the I/DD community. He also discusses steps The Arc of Massachusetts is taking with Nicky's Law in order to be able to prevent future instances of abuse.



Sincerely,
Leo V. Sarkissian
Executive Director  
FEATURED Featured
Access
Save more for disability-related expenses, and access your money whenever you need it. With the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, families can save for their short or longterm disability expenses without impacting other disability benefits. Opening an ABLE account - like the Fidelity-managed Attainable Savings Plan SM  - could be the best way for you to save. By investing in professionally managed portfolios, your money has a chance to grow tax-deferred and may be easily withdrawn federal income-tax free whenever you need it. Learn more about how an ABLE account could help make saving easier at Fidelity.com/Attainable.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC
900 Salem Street, Smithfield, RI 02917
809621.2.0


The Attainable Savings Plan is offered by the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority and managed by Fidelity Investments. Qualified ABLE Programs offered by other states may provide state tax benefits to their residents or taxpayers that are not available through the Attainable Savings Plan. If you are not a resident of Massachusetts, you should consider whether your home state offers its residents or taxpayers state tax advantages or benefits for investing in your home state's qualified ABLE program before making an investment in the Attainable Savings Plan.

Units of the portfolios are municipal fund securities and are subject to market fluctuation and volatility. You may have a gain or loss when you sell your units.

Please carefully consider the Attainable Savings Plan's investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For this and other information, contact Fidelity for a free Disclosure Document or view one online. Read it carefully before you invest or send money.
Announcing Our 2018 Gala: Expect Success: Celebrating Achievers!
Expect Success: Celebrating Achievers
The Arc of Massachusetts 2018 Gala
Wednesday, April 25, 2018 |  6:00 PM
Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466


For more information on the event, please visit our official announcement, as well as the Gala's official page.
Operation House Call Families: Hosts For Students Needed!
Operation House Call will be educating over 200 students just this winter! If you are an Operation House Call family and can volunteer to host students, please contact Kim Walsh, our Program Coordinator at walsh@arcmass.org.
 
OHC is fortunate to partner with Simmons Graduate College of Nursing and Health Science this January to teach 120 Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Nutrition students about autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities through our four module program, which includes experiential learning as well as an interdisciplinary learning opportunity.
 
If you want to learn more about Operation House Call please contact Maura Sullivan, Program Director at  sullivan@arcmass.org
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WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS Workshops
The Mitten Interactive Workshop
Wednesday, January 17, 2018 | 4:30 - 5:45 PM
Presented by The Arc of the South Shore's Autism Resource Center
Paul Pratt Memorial Library
35 Ripley Road, Cohasset, MA 02025

Learn how to make a sensory book kit and then join in a therapeutic yoga class all designed to bring Jan Brett's book The Mitten to life and provide a sensory spark to ignite any child's enthusiasm for this wonderful story!

Space is limited to 10 participants and pre-registration is required. Parents and siblings/friends are welcome to participate. All ages and abilities are welcome. There will be staff to assist participants and provide support during the session. To register, please email autismresourcecenter@arcsouthshore.org.
MassHealth Updates Webinar With Leo
MassHealth Updates: Understanding the Changes Ahead
Tuesday, January 30, 2018 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented by Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director,  The Arc of Massachusetts

MassHealth will be implementing new changes on March 1! These changes could affect your doctors and services. Don't be left out: BE INFORMED! Register for this FREE webinar today!
Advanced Legislative Advocacy Training
Monday, February 26, 2018 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented by Maura Sullivan and Julie Heffernan

The Advanced Training will focus on: building and strengthening relationships with your elected officials; c ritical strategic planning and the budget; t elling your story; m easuring your effectiveness and success; i dentifying and understanding obstacles.

Presented by The Arc of Massachusetts: Maura Sullivan, Director of Government Affairs and Program Director of Operation House Call and Julie Heffernan, Advocacy Alliance Coordinator. Register for this FREE webinar today!
WHAT'S TRENDING Whatstrending
Supported Decision-Making Panel Discussion
Tuesday, January 23, 2018 | 8:00 - 10:00 AM
Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel & Trade Center
181 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752

Take advantage of this great panel discussion being offered by the Massachusetts Guardianship Association (MGA). John Ford, Bob Fleischner, and The Arc of Massachusetts' Executive Director Leo Sarkissian will be  discussing topics relating to supported decision-making.
 
If you are a member of the MGA, attendance is free. If you are not a member, but wish to attend, please fill out this form and select "Annual Meeting $10" via the Type of Membership drop down before completing payment via PayPal.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT sponsorspotlight
The Arc of Massachusetts | 781-891-6270 | thearcofmass.org