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About Us | |
The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We accomplish this through advocacy of supports and services based in the community. |
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 Duals Open Meeting Aug. 31
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MassHealth will hold a public meeting on the "dual eligibles" or integration of Medicare and Medicaid demonstration on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 10am - 12pm. Meeting will be held at One Ashburton Place, 21st floor, conference rooms 1, 2, and 3, in Boston. All stakeholders and members of the public with interest in this demonstration are encouraged to join. Reasonable accommodations will be made for participants who need assistance by contacting Donna Kymalainen at Donna.Kymalainen@state.ma.us
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Building a Home Conference | |
Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) in appreciation to the Niel M. Wreidt 2003 Revocable Trust, Donald N. Freedman, Trustee.
Building a Home Conference
Saturday ~ September 29, 2012
8 AM - 5 PM
The Hogan Campus Center at the College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street
Worcester, MA
Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) in collaboration with The Arc of Mass, The Arc of Greater Haverhill and Newburyport, EMarc, and the DDS Statewide Advisory Council (SAC).
A full day session showing families how to BUILD A HOME and LIFE for their loved ones with disabilities giving them interdependent full lives in their community. This conference will give you an opportunity to network and meet individuals who are making it work.
Welcome: Susan Nadworny, MFOFC Chairperson
Remarks: Commissioner Elin Howe
Keynote Address: "Housing as part of an overall Good Life"
Presented by Gail Fanjoy, Executive Director of KFI, a community-based provider agency in Millinocket, Maine
Partial list of Workshops:
*Person-Centered Planning: You have to know what you want *Family Panels: How they made it happen *Housing Authority, Section 8's *Creating a budget and a financial life plan *Partnering with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) *Top 10 tips for parents to help their sons and daughters to live inspiring lives *Staffing and roommates *Autism housing survey results *Accessing services: knowing where the doors are
*Housing 101- learn about a variety of creative living arrangements *Maximizing the entitlement of school * Benefits, Friendships and More
Click here for more information.
¨RESOURCE FAIR and A LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION!¨ | |
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Monday, August 27, 2012
As always you can contact us at advocate@arcmass.org
Regards,
Leo Sarkissian
Mandy Nichols |
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Remember to Vote, Don't take your rights for granted! | |
Persons with disabilities often don't exercise the right to vote. This means that they don't get to play a role in how our country is governed. We're fortunate to have a strong democracy in the United States, but it can only stay that way with citizen participation. Not voting slowly wears away at the foundation of our democracy. Go to "We've Got the Power" site to learn more!
Although voting should not be a matter of self-interest alone, many important services are funded through federal and state budgets offering another reason to vote.
Tuesday, November 6 is the date for our Presidential election along with other important federal, state and local officials. All our congressional officers, state senators and house members are up for election. And if you haven't noticed, Senator Scott Brown will face Elizabeth Warren as he runs for re-election.
Although it is too late to register for the September  primary, there still IS TIME to register for the election with the deadline on October 17. Go here to learn more about registration.
Don't take your right for granted - see the related article on Voting.
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Senator Brown Relays his Support for the UN Convention | |
This past Friday, on August 24, Senator Brown confirmed his intention to vote to ratify the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).As mentioned in a previous "Notes from The Arc", the Convention will be sent to the full Senate only if the sponsors believe it has the votes to pass.Senator Brown's commitment increases the likelihood that the Convention will be presented to the full Senate.
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Sen. Brown with DC disability delegation |
Special thanks to all of you who reached out to the Senator's office.
Before taking its August recess, the Senate issued a statement of support in the Congressional Record by Majority Leader Harry Reid encouraging ratification of the CRPD. When the Senate is back in session in September, a bipartisan group of champions will lead the treaty to its final vote.This bipartisan group of champions includes our own John Kerry alongside Senators McCain (R-AZ), Durbin (D-IL), Barrasso (R-WY), Coons (D-DE), Udall (D-NM), Moran (R-KS), and Harkin (D-IA).
Please thank Senator Scott Brown for his support of the Convention:
- Boston and Springfield Office #s: (617) 565-3170 & (413) 788-2693
And if you haven't yet, let Senator John Kerry know your appreciation too at 617-565-8519 & (413) 785-4610 or email here.
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The Arc of Massachusetts Planning Survey | |
Please take a few minutes out in the next week to fill out a short survey to assist The Arc of Massachusetts in its planning efforts. Thanks in advance for your consideration. You can reach the survey at this link.
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SUPPORTbrokers of The Arc of Massachusetts Increases its Team in Western Mass | |
SUPPORTbrokers of The Arc of Massachusetts is excited to announce a new member to complement its team. We have recently hired a broker with extensive experience helping families in the Pioneer Valley (Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties). The goal of the program is to expand its catchment area, so we can serve more families in the western part of the state.
Consumers or families hire a support broker to help them find appropriate services and supports to thrive in their community. Brokers can help consumers find transportation, a place to live, someone to help them with daily living skills, a job counselor, and other linkages within the community. Brokers can also facilitate and create a person-centered plan and help consumers apply for Social Security or health insurance, among other benefits. 
Our support brokers, independent of the Massachusetts system of state agencies, spend time with consumers to learn about their needs and goals. Even though support brokers have experience working with a range of state agency services, they are primarily responsible to the consumer/family. Brokers develop plans, which are based largely on the consumer's input - his/her dreams, goals and support needs. After a plan is in place, brokers help consumers find those supports and put them in place. Support brokers know how to navigate the system and community to secure help and assistance as available.
SUPPORTbrokers is a statewide, fee-for-service consulting group. Its mission to assist persons with disabilities and elders to achieve their vision. This is accomplished through planning, education, and advocacy.
To learn more, contact SUPPORTbrokers at info@supportbrokers.org or 781-891-6270 ext. 109 or go to www.supportbrokers.org.
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