In our
February 25 Advocacy Update, we detailed The Arc New York's advocacy plan going into March. In less than a week, we increased the number of advocates participating in our online campaign by 1,500! As budget negotiations continue and we pull into the final stretch before the April 1 budget deadline, we urge you to continue to
share our campaign with your family and friends so we can ensure that all legislators and the governor are aware of our priorities.
We will continue to update you on budget developments and advocacy efforts to sustain quality supports and services for New Yorkers with I/DD. We appreciate your participation in forwarding this call. Our voices are stronger together!
Past President of The Arc New York Elected to National Leadership Position
The Arc of the United States elected a slate of new and returning members of the Board of Directors to lead its work for the next two years, including Staten Island resident and Past President of The Arc New York, Laura Kennedy.
The Arc of the United States advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), with a network of over 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community. Kennedy will serve as Treasurer of The Arc, and Chair the Policy and Positions Committee, which will guide the direction of National Advocacy for the next two years.
Kennedy is a parent of a woman with a developmental disability and has been active in The Arc at the federal, statewide, and local levels for more than three decades. The full press release can be read here.
Major Victory for Dedicated Funding for Home and Community Based Services
Last week, the House of Representatives passed the American Relief Plan, which included many of our national priorities, including a dedicated 7.35% Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). We are happy to report that The Arc of the US received statutory language for the Senate bill, which also includes the same 7.35% for HCBS FMAP. This is great news and the result of hard-fought advocacy over the past year.
The Senate voted to take up this legislation yesterday, which will pave the way for several more days of debate. However, the bill is expected to pass through the Senate. The bill will then go back to the House due to differences from the House version. It should be taken up in the House some time next week.
Notable provisions include:
- Funding for HCBS: 7.35% FMAP increase for HCBS for one year.
- Extension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit increase through September
- Economic Impact Payments of $1,400 per person, including for adult dependents
- Temporary increase in premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act
- Extension and expansion of paid leave tax credit
- Expansion of Earned Income Tax Credit for childless adults
- Temporary increase and extension of unemployment benefits
Please continue to share The Arc's action alert, which is now geared at the Senate. It is important that we see this through and make sure our senators know the importance of this legislation.
We will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the legislation once it has passed both houses.
Registration Now Open for the Disability Policy Seminar
You're invited to join The Arc US and their partners for the 2021 (virtual) Disability Policy Seminar, April 19 - 22. Sessions are available from the convenience of your computer, so it's never been easier to attend. With a new Administration, a new Congress, and renewed calls for equity and progress amid a continuing pandemic, your advocacy has never been more important. The Disability Policy Seminar is an opportunity to join advocates from across the country to protect and advance the programs and supports that make community life possible for people with disabilities.
Grant Opportunity: Building Community Resilience Through Inclusive Disaster PreparednessThe Arc is offering $5,000 - $20,000 grants to chapters of The Arc and other community organizations to develop virtual service projects that help communities be better equipped in case of disaster. Learn more here and apply by March 19.
Looking for New Fundraising Resources to Beef Up Your 2021 Campaigns?
The Arc US chapter portal has templates you can use for your mailings, emails, letters, and development calendar. The Arc has also developed several key partnerships to help our chapters expand their fundraising efforts, develop a planned-giving pipeline, and identify prospective donors in your community.
