ECNV Newsletter: December
 

[Image: Gingerbread cookies with red Christmas balls hanging over blue background and decorated with berries. Top view, copy space. The month, December is red bold text has been added].

In this edition: #TheDisabledBlackMagellan blog by D’Arcee Neal, Beyond Just "Doing Our Job", Why We Work For You and more!

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An American Intermission: A Few Thoughts

By D'Arcee Neal

This is the third #TheDisabledBlackMagellan blog by Agent of Change, D’Arcee Neal who is a fellow in ECNV’s Ford Foundation Disability Justice Initiative. Over the next year, D’Arcee will share his thoughts and experiences about disability and intersectionality with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalized identities.


This particular month, amidst the constant thread of PTSD and gaslighting that Denmark put me through, I find myself back on gold ole American soil. Listening to that uniquely homegrown blend of racist misogyny on Britney Griner’s return home, or to the imaginary wail of Christian conservatives over Starbucks Happy Holidays cups, I have to say: it’s good to be home if only for a respite. My travels will resume internationally next month but just because I find myself back in America, doesn’t mean that I don’t see the ways that disability and its global contexts continue to affect me. I spend my life as an educator, an activist, and a consultant advocating for the rights of racial disability so that others might experience a smoother, more equitable disabled life where they are, because they’ve heard or know better. But what happens when that disability strikes you in your own body?
Read More

[Image: Black and white photo of D’Arcee, an African American with a beard and black rimmed glasses in a white t-shirt smiling].

Beyond Just "Doing Our Job"

By Tracee Garner

If you take the time to give, your gift-giving for family and friends may be pretty much the same. You get what you can for this one and that one, and then, there's a big reveal on holiday mornings. After that you back to work and school as usual. However, we are often reminded that it is not true for everyone. Conflicts and struggles abound for many of us, making it challenging for some to be thankful.


This year, we experienced impactful and tangible joy through our Alexandria Assistance and Emergency grants program. We don't often get to see the impact of our work in a traditional sense. We help folks get what they need, but they don't always tell us how it impacts them. Without knowing our reach, we miss the warmth and go back to business as usual.
Read More

[Image: Consumer from Alexandria City receiving the Food Assistance card and walker].

Why We Work For You

We are fortunate, at ECNV, to be able to work with a team of dedicated advocates who every day, demonstrate their heartfelt commitment to help people with disabilities live the lives they choose. Knowing that we can make a difference, spurs us on to do even more. The testimony below is an example of why we think it is important to be here for everyone with disabilities.


Making the effort to reach folks from marginalized communities whose identities intersect with disabilities makes ECNV and the disability communities stronger. It is a reciprocal relationship. While we are helping Ursula find meaningful work, she is generously sharing with us a trove of resources she has meticulously gathered in her quest for services and support that will help her and her family survive and thrive. In turn, we have more information and resources to help individuals and families who rely on us for help.


“I have the opportunity to say a few words to you, Miss Fajardo. That day you answered my phone call, I was hopelessly walking with my physical pain and my heart was very heavy because I couldn't find an answer to my questions. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for answering my call and making an appointment with me. Thank you for letting me know more about the ECNV program that you are a part of, I knew that there are professional people, leaders who work with heart who guide visitors to have confidence and hope with professionalism. Miss Fajardo, I sincerely appreciate the way you are guiding me and the time you took to make sure I feel comfortable and being bilingual gave me more comfort to express myself. I will continue advancing in my vocational rehabilitation by putting your advice into practice. Thank you for accepting to be my coach, it is a great impact on my life. I will remember your words when we said goodbye, 'Úrsula never turn off the light of your heart. Have faith we will work together to keep it lit and move forward!' Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023, to you Miss Fajardo and the ECNV Staff.” - Úrsula

ECNV End-of-Year Donation
ECNV 40 Forward logo.

Your support of ECNV provides people of all ages an opportunity to live independently. If you haven’t made a year-end gift to ECNV, thank you for considering a donation.

[Image: ECNV 40 Forward logo].

ECNV Recruiting Mentors and Community Partners for RAMP

What’s New With RAMP?

ECNV’s pilot year for the Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) is underway!


RAMP is a career-focused mentoring program for students with disabilities funded through the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). ECNV received referrals from the Fairfax DARS office for students, aged 16-22, interested in participating in this program that will last through June 2023.
Read More

[Image: RAMP Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program logo].

ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy Program Coming To Alexandria City High School!

[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle.]

The I Am Self-Advocacy Program (IASA) is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 16-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of weekly individual and group sessions. During the individual sessions, students work one-on-one with a peer mentor discussing topics integral to self-advocacy, with each topic building on the last. After working with the peer mentor at a speed and level that is conducive to their learning, the students meet with their peers in a group environment to delve deeper into program topics, participating in group activities and debates.


By the end of the program, the students will have put together their own self-advocacy portfolio to include things they learned regarding self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.


ECNV is working closely with Alexandria City Public Schools and the DARS Alexandria office to bring a pilot session of the I Am Self-Advocacy Program (IASA) to Alexandria City High School! This in-school program session is slated to begin in February 2023. Rather than meeting virtually twice a week—in an individual session and in a group session—to discuss advocacy-related topics, this in-school program session will have students meet in-person, individually as well as a group, in alternating weeks.


ECNV Peer Mentor, Paul Whitley, will lead this pilot IASA program in the school setting. “I’m thrilled about the opportunity to take IASA to the classroom environment. It’ll open doors in terms of what our program can look like as we continue to pursue a participant-driven self-advocacy program," Whitley exclaims. Bringing the IASA program into the school classroom will also alleviate scheduling conflicts that some students have when wanting to participate in the regular IASA program sessions which are conducted during after-school hours.


At this time, the in-school IASA program is limited to eligible students attending Alexandria City High School, but ECNV is still offering its regular program sessions quarterly to students residing in the Counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun, and Prince William, as well as to the Cities of Fairfax, Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Students interested in participating should talk to their special education teacher or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school for assistance. Alternatively, reach out to your local DARS office to get started. All referrals must come from DARS.


The Winter Program Session begins January 23rd and ends March 24th. The referral deadline for the Winter Session is January 6, 2023, so please request a referral as soon as possible!


For more information about the program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Hannah Roberts at hannahr@ecnv.org or call ECNV's office number at 703-525-3268.

[Image: Three circles overlapping each other with words Self Advocate in the center and words Motivated, Committed, and Passionate on each circle.]

2023 Public Policy Agenda
General Assembly chamber

The General Assembly starts January 11th and it is time to advocate for a strong agenda that seeks to transform Virginia's System into a more effective and efficient system by building provider capacity and workforce, funding more waivers, and building long-term sustainability into our system. You can prepare to advocate using the 2023 Advocacy Toolkit.

[Image: General Assembly chamber].

Governor Youngkin Announces Increased Funding for mental health and developmental disability services
Image: Right Help, Right Now, Transforming Behavioral Health Care for Virginians red, white and blue banner

Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a $58 million behavioral health redesign plan, “Right Help, Right Now.” The three-year plan aimed at closing treatment gaps to address the insufficient crisis care in the state as well as mental health workforce shortages.


The plan called for fully funding more than 30 new mobile crisis teams and providing better pay for workers while increasing the mental health workforce. It also develops community-based services and targeted substance abuse disorder and overdose prevention. The funding is aimed to relieve law enforcement’s load addressing people in crisis and reducing the criminalization of mental health. Youngkin also said he wanted to expand school-based treatment as concerns for youth mental health grows.


The proposal includes:


  • Transfer $85K from DBHDS to DMAS for DD Waiver administration
  • $58,345,204 (including five positions) for comprehensive crisis services system
  • $20,000,000 for alternatives to hospital beds in psychiatric emergencies
  • $20,000,000 one time for mobile crisis units to be established in underserved areas
  • $88,810,453 to increase rates for personal care, respite, and companion services by 5%
  • $31,000,000 for 500 additional DD Waiver slots (total for the biennium of 930 Family Individual Support and 170 Community Living)
  • Telehealth service delivery options for people with DD Waivers

[Image: Right Help, Right Now, Transforming Behavioral Health Care for Virginians red, white and blue banner].

ECNV Remembers Hale Zukas

Late last month, disability activist Hale Zukas passed away from heart failure. Zukas traveled through life in a motorized wheelchair. He used a pointer attached to his helmet to operate his wheelchair and to spell words on a word/letter board. He frequently addressed government officials and other groups with a co-worker or personal assistant who translated his speech and supplemented it with reading from his letter/word board.”


In 2017, a documentary film about his life, aptly titled Hale premiered. The film’s creator, Brad Bailey made the documentary as his thesis project at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism. He was recognized with a Student Academy Award for the project, joining some big names like Spike Lee and Robert Zemeckis.


His Berkeleyside Obituary adds: “An engineer at heart, Zukas designed the first curb cuts in Berkeley and convinced the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to become fully accessible. He co-founded the BART’s accessibility advisory group in 1975 and even designed the buttons for inside BART elevators so that they could easily be reached by wheelchair users.”

[Image: Hale Zukas wearing a red sweater]. 

Are You Ready to Become an Advocate?
A mixed group of persons with disabilities, and non-disabled around a table, gathering socially

Virginia Board for People with Disabilities is accepting applications to join the 2023-2024 class of Partners in Policymaking (PIP). They are looking for talented, motivated, and dedicated advocates who want to have an impact in their communities. This PIP class will consist of seven two-day sessions beginning September of 2023 and lasting through April of 2024.


Eligible participants are people with developmental disabilities and/or parents of young children with developmental disabilities. Individuals participating in the program will attend advocacy training and skill-building workshops designed to hone them into effective and passionate advocates. Completion of this application and selection for the PIP program requires substantial commitment of time, motivation, and energy - it is not for the faint of heart!  

                              

The application deadline is March 17, 2023. You can learn more on the Partners in Policymaking website.

[Image: A mixed group of persons with disabilities, and non-disabled around a table, gathering socially].

Free COVID-19 At-home Tests Available Online

The White House has announced a new limited round of free at-home COVID-19 tests for the winter. Households can now order either standard at-home tests or tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Shipping is free.


Older adults and people with disabilities who need support ordering the free at-home tests can contact the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) or the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL, 888-677-1199). Staff are available to assist you from 8 AM to 9 PM ET Monday through Friday. They can help you learn more about testing options, including by connecting you to accessible instructions and helping with test administration.

[Image: An unidentified male using an At-Home COVID test kit].

DD System Issues Resolution Workgroup for Individuals and Families

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) is seeking individual and family input and participation in determining actions that can be taken to improve the DD system of supports and services in Virginia. They are asking individuals and families to answer the questions in the survey link below. If interested in being on a workgroup, they should complete question 10 in the survey.


DBHDS will select 50 participants 10 from each of the 5 DBHDS regions who represent the lifespan to assist with this effort. Additional options to observe and comment will be provided to those not selected and to the public at large.


DBHDS will use information gathered from this survey as well as the information gathered through the surveys completed through the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to present at the first meeting issues identified by individuals and families that need to be addressed through the Division of Developmental Services. DBHDS will use this workgroup in partnership with the Provider Issues Resolution Workgroup to ensure they have a comprehensive understanding and the potential impacts of any recommendations and solutions.


This meeting will occur quarterly starting in January with subgroups meeting in between the quarterly meetings to resolve the issues identified.


Survey Link for Individuals and Families: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2VCLQV7

Events for Learning, New Opportunities and Advocacy

Recently Archived:


  • December 2022 FFFP Social Security in Depth, Recording of information parents of people with Developmental Disabilities related to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) from the Arc of Northern Virginia First Fridays Futures Planning 
  • Black Disability Politics, The Ford Foundation. Dr. Sami Schalk, an associate professor in the Department of Gender & Women's Studies at UW-Madison and other guests discuss the need to prioritize an understanding of disability within the context of white supremacy, to demonstrate that the work of Black disability politics not only exists but is essential to the future of Black liberation movements.
  • Addressing Inequity: A Year of Investing in Disability Rights, The Ford Foundation commemorated one year since the start of our U.S. Disability Rights grantmaking, our grantees, stakeholders, and changemakers to discuss what's been learned, where are the challenges, and where we go from here to achieve the goals of field building, economic justice, narrative change, and driving philanthropy. ECNV’s Executive Director, Dominique Dunford Lack shares her perspectives looking back on the first year of funding.


January Events:


ECNV Around Town

ENCV was active around town promoting our programs and vaccination popups for people with disabilities.

Arlington Transition Fair

Pansy Walker, Expansion and Outreach Senior and Maya Flores, ECNV volunteer hosted a table at the Arlington Transition Fair on December 10, 2022. The ECNV table was festively decorated and full of ECNV offerings. They were tag-teamed by Cherie Takemoto, ECNV Director of Disability Justice and her son, Pete Scampavia, Arlington Public Schools graduate who hosted a table inviting Arlingtonians to join the Developmental Disabilities Advisory Committee and learn more about services for adults with developmental disabilities in Arlington County. Cherie was recently appointed chair of the Developmental Disabilities Committee and is busy expanding the voices of multiply marginalized citizens.

[Image: Mother and son find out more about the ECNV I Am Self Advocacy program from volunteer, Maya Flores and Pansy Walker].

Human Services Agencies Exchange Info and Explore Intersectionality of Poverty + Disability

On December 14, 2022, DARS invited ECNV to Community Academy to exchange resource information and learn more about the intersectionality of poverty and disability. Service providers and programs who serve participants with a wide array of resource needs exchanged information about their programs and resources available to residents of the City of Alexandria.

[Image: Rosalia Fajardo and Cherie Takemoto joined DARS and a dozen other human services agencies in the Community Academy].

Hybla Valley Community Center
Families in line to collect toys and food

On December 17, 2022 Rosalia Fajardo Multicultural Families Director distributed COVID home tests and information about ECNV and disability. The holiday celebration and resource fair was hosted by Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services at the Hybla Valley Community Center and organized by Fairfax County Health Department, Inova, Anthem Health Plus, Neighborhood Clinic, United Community and Fairfax County Police Department. It had a great turnout for residents from the Alexandria, Richmond HWY corridor. 239 households and 596 children received food, toys, COVID vaccinations from the Fairfax County Health Department. 

[Image: Families in line to collect toys and food].
An African American Family receiving COVID tests from ENCV in back Rosalia Fajardo ENCV Director of Multicultural Families.

[Image: An African American family receiving COVID tests kits from ENCV with Rosalia Fajardo].

[Image: (left to right) A Latina woman with a Latino adolescent in a wheelchair, and Rosalia Fajardo].

[Image: A Native indigenous family from Guatemala receiving COVID tests].

[Image: (left to right) A Latina woman wearing an Inova sweater, Rosalia Fajardo, an African American man wearing Inova sweater].

[Image: (left to right) A Latina woman wearing a Christmas sweater, Rosalia Fajardo, and Eduardo Mantilla, Director of Programs at Neighborhood Clinic].

ECNV Returns to the Durga Temple in Fairfax

On December 18, 2022, ENCV hosted a vaccination clinic at the Durga Temple, that serves the Hindu population in the Northern Virginia area with more than 20 people getting the flu and COVID vaccine.

[Image: (from Left to Right) ENCV staff, Andrew Shaw, Ruchika Lalwani, a Hindu female Durga temple host, Rosalia Fajardo and a female Director of Himalayan Free Clinic and a female the Giant Nurse].

[Image: ECNV staff, Ruchika Lalwani, helping a Hindu male wearing traditional clothes].

ECNV Calendar
[Image: TGIF Social Group gathering at Silver Diner].

The social groups are run by ECNV Staff. These fun gatherings are a great time for connecting, sharing and often take place over a good meal. Perhaps you'll make a new friend, and with lots of pandemic mandates being lifted, it's a perfect time to come back out. For more information, contact Ruchika Lalwani.


January 6 – TGIF at Silver Diner at 4400 Wilson Blvd Arlington, VA 22203 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

January 18 – ECNV Board meeting from 5:00 – 6:30pm

January 20 – The ENDependents Social Group (virtual) from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

[Image: TGIF Social Group gathering at Silver Diner].

[Image: Words Amazon in black with a half arrow smile and the words smile in orange. Under it the words "You shop. amazon gives."]

Don't forget to support ECNV by shopping at AmazonSmile!


AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to ECNV.

www.ecnv.org

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