July 23, 2020 | Issue #51

COVID-19 Still Rules The Day For The Arc, the last week was a time of negotiating and planning. Agencies continued a frantic pace to plan for re-opening, but still without financial flexibility. As of July 22, day services funded by DDS had not received confirmation of any retainer payment to address fixed costs and virtual services for this month (the funding may be announced today). We are working with state leaders in DDS and MassHealth to reach some type of accommodation as we look ahead to the next few months, with August being only a few days ahead. Continue reading Leo's Letter here.

Increase the Impact of your Donor Advised Fund Your funding could have an even bigger impact than ever through the #HalfMyDAF matching-grant challenge. Make a grant from your DAF to The Arc of Massachusetts and commit to putting half your DAF to work by September 30 , and we’ll be eligible to receive up to $25,000 in matching funds. The more people who nominate our organization, the better our chances. The #HalfMyDAF challenge aims to put these charitable dollars to work now, when and where it’s needed most. You can learn more about the #HalfMyDAF challenge at halfmydaf.com .

#DontCutUsOut

In case you haven’t heard, with the help of your advocacy to ensure funding for supports and services, negotiations are in process for enhanced billing for day programs. Now is the time for one last push. Take action today.

On July 12, The Arc’s Maura Sullivan and AFAM’s Michael Borr appeared on Boston Outlook on BIG 103.3 to discuss the ongoing #DontCutUsOut campaign. Listen to their radio appearance.

Government Affairs

President defies Supreme Court on Census ruling President Trump issued a memorandum late yesterday ordering that undocumented immigrants should not be counted in relation to congressional redistricting this coming year. In effect, the President is trying to make an end run around the Supreme Court. As stated by Peter Berns, CEO of The Arc US: “The US Supreme Court has already ruled that the Administration could not add a question about citizenship status to the Census… The Administration’s directive is harmful to achieving a fair and accurate Census and must be reversed.” You can read the entire statement from Peter here.

Due to the support of Representative Paul Tucker, Speaker Robert DeLeo, and many House Supporters, the police reform bill now includes training for police and corrections officers in best practices regarding individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Read more on this update here.

COVID-19 Updates

On Monday, July 27, Leo will present the webinar From the State House to Your Services: Breaking Down the Services Dollar. He will discuss the general structure of where funding comes from and how they are transformed into services or supports.

On Tuesday, July 28, Kerry will be leading a focus group as a follow up to Leo's discussion with LTSS Chief Whitney Moyer. Join this session to discuss how AFC, PCA, Day Hab, Adult Day Health, Nursing, and more currently are or are not working for you.

On Monday, July 20, Leo was joined by Whitney Moyer, the Chief of Long Term Supports & Services (LTSS) at MassHealth for a discussion of the current state of services and the uncertainties ahead in Massachusetts during COVID-19.

This week, Allison Hrovat joined The Arc for a two-part webinar series on understanding trauma and building trauma-informed supports in a COVID-19 world. The two sessions are now available to watch on demand on our YouTube channel

Sponsor Spotlight

The work of The Arc of Massachusetts is made possible by generous donations from people like you, friend. None of our advocacy, education, and outreach would be possible without your continued support. Please consider giving today.

Make a gift today.

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