Welcome to The Arc Georgia.

We’ve had a busy few months, but we’ve also made a lot of progress. Together we are working hard to support the inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) throughout Georgia. I look forward to offering you quarterly updates about our work and how you can further involve in our movement.

We need your support to continue this invaluable work. Please become a member of The Arc Georgia today.


Stacey Ramirez
State Director, The Arc Georgia
Join Us at the Premier Disability Rights Event 
The Arc’s 2018 National Convention is taking place in Nashville, TN, from November 8-10 this year! Get motivated by new ideas and best practices from our expert speakers, attend dozens of innovative sessions, get inspired, and make new friends that share your passion for inclusion. Registration is opening soon !
Local Advocate Making Waves in Georgia Politics 
Back in April, Martha Haythorn, a local high school student with a passion for advocacy, won an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC for the 2018 Disability Policy Seminar. She spent two days learning about the hottest policy issues from disability rights experts. Then she took her knowledge to Capitol Hill to speak to the Georgia Congressional Delegation and share her personal story as a person with I/DD.
Martha is continuing her advocacy by recording a monthly video blog! Tune in each month on our Facebook page !
The Arc Georgia Named Co-Chair of Rev-Up Georgia 
The Arc Georgia is the proud co-chair of the REV-UP Georgia campaign. The REV UP Campaign is a nonpartisan initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) that aims to increase the political power of people with disabilities while also engaging candidates and the media on disability rights issues. 

Join our Friday bi-weekly 3pm conference calls: Call in number 712-775-7031. Pin 608190939
 
Next call will take place TODAY, June 22, and everyone is welcome.  Send an email to Revupgeorgia@gmail.com to be added to the REV UP Georgia distribution list.

Access all of the 2018 REV UP Campaign Resources .
Georgia ABLE Act Update 
The Arc Georgia signed on to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Age Adjustment Act would amend Section 529A(e) of the Internal Revenue Code to increase the eligibility threshold for ABLE accounts for onset of disability.
New Public Policy Advocacy Resource! 
The Arc Georgia has created two interactive workshops to help you better understand advocating at the Georgia State Capitol. Both curriculum are a result of collaborating with the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (GCDD) . These workshops are the result of many years of collaborative work and utilize a variety of learning modalities, including small group discussions videos, and even music, to help us experience the best way to interact with our legislators. 
The first 4-hour workshop will help you to understand how to meet with our legislator both at the Capitol and at their home district office. In the second, 2-hour workshop, we learn how to give effective legislative testimony. Chapters and members of The Arc Georgia are welcome to contact Stacey Ramirez at sramirez@thearc.org to schedule one or both workshops in your area.
The Arc Georgia Pooled Trust
Special Needs Trusts are utilized to help provide the extras in life, above and beyond the basics provided by government programs. The Arc Georgia Pooled Trust offers two types of trusts to help families provide the highest quality of life for a family member with a disability… now and for the future.

·      First Party Trusts
·      Third Party Trusts

In both types of trusts, The Arc Georgia Pooled Trust allows funds to be pooled to maximize investments; however each trust beneficiary has his or her individual trust account.