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This week, honor the special people in your life with a gift to The Arc of Massachusetts; Operation House Call expands nationally; The Arc shares our Conference Committee FY20 Budget requests; and more!
Featured
Honoring someone special

Have you ever wondered what you might do to honor a family member, friend, or colleague or to mark a special occasion? Perhaps you’d like to commemorate a significant birthday or anniversary, memorialize a loved one who has passed away, or express your gratitude to someone who has made a difference in your life.

With Father’s Day coming up in a couple of weeks, it’s a great way to show your father or grandfather how much he means to you.

One way to do this is by making a contribution to The Arc of Massachusetts. We will not only thank you for your gift, but will also advise the individual you wish to honor that a donation has been made in his or her name. Your gift will, of course, help The Arc accomplish its mission of enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families across the Commonwealth. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. 
Government Affairs
Conference Committee to begin FY20 budget deliberations

The Senate and the House are moving into the final stages of their work on the FY’20 budget. Both chambers have finalized their budgets and the remaining work rests with the Conference Committee that must settle the differences of each line item from each budget.

The Conference Committee is made of three members each from the Senate and House Ways and Means Committees.  Continue reading for info on The Arc's request and contact information for the Committee members.
The Arc testifies in support of H163/S56

The Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities held a hearing on Tuesday, May 28 and The Arc’s focus was on the Loan Repayment for Human Services Workers legislation.

Along with The Arc’s testimony from Maura Sullivan, the committee heard directly from human service workers, providers, and families who strongly advocated for passage of this bill. The bill is sponsored by Representative Jeff Roy, Representative Smitty Pignatelli, and Senator Eric Lesser. Learn more.
Programs of The Arc
Operation House Call goes national!

On Wednesday, The Arc US and The Arc’s Operation House Call Program Director, Maura Sullivan, held a webinar to launch the Operation House Call (OHC) online toolkit. OHC is now available to chapters of The Arc and others across the nation.

The OHC toolkit is a comprehensive guide for developing an OHC model to train medical students and other health professionals on best practices in healthcare for people with autism, Down syndrome, and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. OHC flips the script and makes individuals and families the teachers!

Thank you to The Arc US for their partnership on this important expansion of our program. Learn more about the toolkit and purchase it here.
Sponsor Spotlight
Bay Cove Human Services’ 2019 Changing Lives Gala Truly A Night to Remember!

May 23 was a special evening for Bay Cove Human Services, and for the close to 300 agency staff, friends and supporters who gathered together for the annual Changing Lives Gala.

The event, held at the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, was an inspiring celebration of the men, women and children served everyday by Bay Cove, and raised close to $300,000 to support the agency’s programs and services. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and live jazz from Heliotrope Swing, took part in a silent auction filled with amazing and unique items and experiences, and were treated to a sumptuous and exotic dinner of Asian-inspired dinner created by internationally-acclaimed chef Lydia Shire.

Emcee and auctioneer extraordinaire Susan Wornick conducted a truly spirited live auction, and Bay Cove’s Director of Recovery Joe Spinale shared his own moving and inspirational personal story with those in attendance. The highpoint of the evening was the presentation of Bay Cove's Changing Lives Award to Michael and Kitty Dukakis. Massachusetts' former Governor and First Lady were honored for their decades of steadfast leadership in the fight against the marginalization and stigmatization of individuals impacted by mental illness and substance use disorder.

The Changing Lives Gala was made possible by dozens of corporate and individuals sponsors, led by the event’s Presenting Sponsor, Liberty Mutual Insurance. Photos from the event can be found on Bay Cove’s Facebook page, and the agency is already looking forward to its 2020 Changing Lives Gala! 
Webinars
Agency Spotlight