- Arc Action Center

 - The Arc Homepage

 - Main Budget Page

 - MA Alliance for 21 Century Disability Policy

 - Support Brokers

MA Families Organizing

for Change In

Creative Housing Forum

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

4:45 PM- 8:00 PM  

at the  

Andover Country Club

60 Canterbury St

Andover, MA 01810

RSVP PLEASE to snadworny@riversidecc.org

Monday, January 27, 2012  

• Preview of Priorities for House Ways and Means 
• Marty Martini, CEO of Minuteman Arc Passes Away 
• CLASS Act Repeal Attempt in Washington DC  
• Film Festival-Boston in February  - on side bar 
• Creative Housing Forum - on side bar 

As always you can contact us with comments or questions at advocate@arcmass.org.

Regards,

-The Staff

Preview of House Budget Priorities   

This tough economy has been doubly hard for children and adults and their families served through the Department of Developmental Services. Some of the House 2 budget decisions will not help alleviate what families are facing. The Arc and ADDP are finalizing with other groups priorities to share with house and senate members. Here is a foreshadowing of key priorities:

• The Family Support/Respite program - request restoration of $15.5 Million which includes the 2010 cuts
• Include a salary reserve of $28 Million for direct support staff and managers
• Maintain Transportation services as a separate line item and include annual costs for this year's Turning 22 students
• Add $1.3 Million to Employment and Day Service account to cover full costs

Go here to review the House 2 Report and Analysis

Stay Tuned - In addition, plan on being at The Arc/MDDC annual legislative reception on March 7 - register here or read the story below.

Agencies you can be listed as a co-sponsor.  It's a great day to also visit your legislator in person and volunteers will be there to assist. 

Marty Martini, CEO of Minuteman Arc 

This week we received the heartbreaking news that Marty Martini passed away. This sudden loss has been a shock for many of us who knew Marty to be a consummate professional and fine human being. In talking to colleagues and board members at Minuteman Arc, it was clear that Marty was a personally available and respected leader. To paraphrase colleagues there - he was more than we ever expected.

For colleagues at The Arc statewide, Marty was a trusted colleague and good friend. He was personally and professionally connected to the disability community. He played a leadership role in the Innovations Conference Committee at The Arc and frequently participated in policy discussions. Leo Sarkissian noted, "Marty's passing is a loss for our movement."  

Marty was an active board member of the Flutie Foundation and his daughter has volunteer at the Foundation's events. Before assuming his leadership role at Minuteman, Marty worked for Vinfen for over 14 years in positions with increasing responsibility. In 2008, Marty resigned his position as Vice President of Behavioral Health at Vinfen to assume his role as Chief Executive Officer of Minuteman Arc.

Services for Marty Martini have been scheduled through H.L. Farmer & Sons in Haverhill: There will be a wake on Sunday, January 29th from 1:00 - 4:00p.m. at Farmer and Sons, 210 South Main Street, Bradford, MA.  The funeral is on Monday, January 30th at 10:30 at Sacred Hearts Church, 165 South Main Street, Bradford, MA. 

Our prayers and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.

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House Majority Members look to repeal the CLASS Act   

On Wednesday, January 25, the House of Representatives began consideration of legislation that would repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program, H.R. 1173. Two House committees, the Ways and Means Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee, have already approved this repeal bill.  

The CLASS program was created to help working adults prepare for their future in the event they need help maintaining independence in the community. It was also intended to take the pressure off Medicaid, so that Medicaid can better serve the needs of people with disabilities and low income communities. The Arc believes the CLASS program must be reformed, not repealed. Repealing the program would remove any incentive for Congress to address the real and growing crisis in long term services and supports.