Hello!
This week, learn how you can make a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism; some new coverage of The Arc's programs and priorities in local media; important updates on some of our legislative priorities, and more!
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Friend, You Make The Arc’s Advocacy Possible
The challenges facing the more than 200,000 families in the Commonwealth impacted by intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) are plentiful. But each and every day, The Arc of Massachusetts works to enhance the lives of people with I/DD and assist their families.
Through advocacy, education, and outreach, The Arc of Massachusetts is giving individuals with disabilities and their families a powerful voice. We bring their struggles to light by sharing their stories in the State House, in the Capitol, in the community, in the court room, and in the classroom to help elected leaders, public officials, and citizens understand their needs.
Friend, you can help us remain at the forefront of the struggle to build better lives for all members of the community.
Can we count on you to make our work possible with a donation before the end of our fiscal year on
Sunday, June 30
?
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NBC10 Boston: Operation House Call
On June 13, The Arc's Operation House Call program was featured on NBC10 Boston. Thanks to Kristy Lee for working on this story, to Una Basak and her family for sharing their experiences, and to the Boston University School of Medicine!
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Lowell Sun: Important jobs with little pay
"The question becomes why would you work as a workforce professional that has so many responsibilities and requires so much time and thought and critical thinking if you're not getting paid enough," said Ellen Taverna, a spokesperson with The Arc of Massachusetts.
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The future of the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program that has helped more than 91,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities move out of nursing homes and institutions is in jeopardy! The House passed a bill that included 4.5 years of funding for MFP. It's time for the Senate to act.
We urge the Senate to pass the EMPOWER Care Act (S. 548)!
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The Arc testifies in support of group homes remaining private homes
On June 17, The Arc joined The Arc of Opportunity and others at an Architectural Access Board hearing. A recent home construction conflict in Fitchburg triggered this public hearing for the AAB to review whether group homes that serve five or fewer individuals (through DDS) should be considered public or private buildings.
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Supported Decision Making (SDM) hearing scheduled
The Joint Committee on Children Families and Persons with Disabilities is holding a hearing on Tuesday, June 25 10:00 AM in room B1 of the Massachusetts State House. The Arc will be providing testimony for one of our priority bills, S 64 H 172, Supported Decision Making, sponsored by Senator Joan Lovely, Representative Aaron Vega, and Representative Paul Tucker.
This bill introduces Supported Decision Making for individuals with disabilities who may require assistance to make their own decisions with support instead of having someone else, often a guardian, make decisions for them. This bill doesn’t replace guardianship, but offers an additional option. It will define SDM, establish roles for those involved, and create a model as well as bring awareness.
If you want to learn more about the bill or provide testimony, please contact Maura Sullivan at
sullivan@arcmass.org.
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The Arc hosts a presentation for
Vòng Tay Cha Mẹ Việt (The Circle Of Vietnamese Parents)
The Arc’s Maura Sullivan ran a Family Support Advocacy Training for Vòng Tay Cha Mẹ Việt, the Circle of Vietnamese parents, in Dorchester this week. This is a group of Vietnamese-speaking parents of children and adults with autism or I/DD who come together to support one another, to network, and to share experiences and resources.
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The Arc hosts training on providing Future Planning
On June 13, over 25 senior care and disability service professionals attended a training on Providing Future Planning to Caregivers and Individuals with I/DD. The training was led by Liz Mahar, Director of Family and Sibling Initiatives at The Arc of the United States; Kaitlin Stober, Research Specialist; and Jae Jin Pak, Self-Advocacy Specialist from The University of Illinois at Chicago.
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Nonotuck Resource Associates AFC Summit 3 a huge success
On May 17, Nonotuck Resource Associates proudly hosted the third annual AFC Summit at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. AFC Summit 3 reached 270 attendees from over 40 organizations across the state.
Allison Ananis, MassHealth's Adult Family Care Program Manager, and Whitney Moyer, Chief, MassHealth Long Term Services and Supports attended as VIPs. Whitney provided the inspiring opening remarks. Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of The Arc of Massachusetts, joined as a special guest and many Nonotuck employees were present as well.
This year’s workshops were led by experts in their fields from the Alzheimer's Association, Social Security, the UMass Opioid Crisis Taskforce, the Massachusetts Hoarding Taskforce, the Cannabis Control Commission, Annkissam, and the Center for Public Representation. Attendees enjoyed the different workshops and found the presenters extremely knowledgeable and passionate. One participant commented that it was a “Perfect Summit!”
AFC Summit 3’s offerings expanded to include vendor and sponsorship opportunities. Representatives from HMEA, the statewide AFC Roundtables, Annkissam, ICentrix, the Berkshire County Arc, and Easter Seals attended as sponsors and vendors.
One of the most exciting elements of this year’s Summit was the addition of CEU's for full day attendance. More than 100 attendees were provided with continuing education contact hours.
Nonotuck would like to thank all the presenters, sponsors, and the AFC Summit 3 Organizational Committee for making the 3rd AFC Summit a huge success.
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