Join us for our first Sunday AIM session of the year! 

12:30-3:30pm

@

Newton YMCA

276 Church St

Newton, MA 

Youth Session:

 Parent Session: 

Transition from School to Adult Life- Time Lines

Speaker- Kerry Mahoney of SUPPORTbrokers from the Arc of MA

* RSVP to aim@mdsc.org by Friday, November 15 *

Join AIM as the MDSC All Stars face off against Boston Bruins Alumni in a hockey game that can't be missed!

AIM families get in for free- just RSVP to aim@mdsc.org!

Free Skate @ Noon

Game begins @ 1:40pm 

Check out awesome raffle & auction prizes throughout the day!

AIM members are invited to sing the National Anthem on ice to kick off the game. This year, we are excited to have country music star, Shanna Jackman, to lead our group in song. If interested, please contact Colleen at cendres@mdsc.org.

Shanna Jackman Performs the National Anthem during a Red Sox Game!

Public Hearings on College Inclusion

The Chairmen of the Joint Committee on Higher Education have started a Task Force to learn about the current status of disability inclusion and prospects for expanded access to students with I/DD. Speak and be heard at an upcoming hearing!

Friday, November 15

3-5pm

Quinsigamond Community College

HLC Building, Rm. 109 A & B

670 W. Boylston St

Worcester, MA

Friday, November 22

9-11am

UMass-Amherst

Lincoln Campus Center, Rm. 163C

1 Campus Center Way

Amherst, MA 01003

Click here for more information and RSVP contacts. 

Mass Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC) has set up listening sessions with MassHealth and the Executive Office of Health & Human Services. Sessions will focus on community programs such as day habilitation, community case management, adult foster care, home health, personal care services, and medical supplies & equipment.

If you or a family member is a MassHealth member participating in one or more of these programs, please attend a listening session to provide your comments and ideas!

Monday, November 18th

6-7:30pm

Burlington Public Library

Monday, November 25th

10-11:30am

Worcester Public Library

Monday, December 2nd

10-11:30am

Taunton Public Library 

MDSC 9th Annual Educator's Forum

Monday, November 18th

8am-3pm

College of the Holy Cross

Hogan Campus Center

Worcester, MA

Sessions include 'Now's the Time: Create Inclusive Postsecondary Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual Disabilities' and 'Facilitating Friendship Opportunities between Students with and without Down syndrome'. 

Click here to learn more and register. 

Saturday, November 16th

8:30am-4pm

Cotting School

453 Concord Ave

Lexington, MA 

The Cotting School presents its first-ever 'Making Things Possible' conference for parents and professionals. The conference is FREE and includes lunch. 

Please click here to learn more.

Tuesday, November 19th

8:30am-3pm

UNH Grappone Conference Center 

70 Constitution Ave

Concord, NH

The New Hampshire Transition Community of Practice announces its seventh Transition Summit, the only statewide conference for training, collaboration, networking, and information focused on post-secondary outcomes for students. Summit presentations will be focused on effective transition practices that feature one of the following topics areas: planning and programming; workforce readiness; life-long learning; and independent living.  

Please click here to learn more.

Guardianship & Transitioning

When is guardianship appropriate as opposed to power of attorney? Can you complete the process yourself or is it necessary to hire an attorney? Get all of your questions answered at this workshop hosted by the Northeast Arc Family Resource Center. 

RSVP to Aymee Lucifora at alucifora@ne-arc.org.

Wednesday, November 13

6-8pm

Northeast Arc

6 Southside Rd

Danvers, MA

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Learn about Section 8 Housing, a federal assistance program available to people with disabilities. 

RSVP to Kathy Hackett at 508-693-7900 ext 249, khackett@mvcommunityservices.com or Julianne Dillon at 508-385-6019 ext 125, jdillon@kdc.org. 

Tuesday, November 19

5-7pm

West Barnstable, MA 

The Arc of MA presents its latest HealthMeet webinar focused on promoting health for people with intellectual disabilities. Learn how to balance a meal, create a planning system for meals, and infuse person-centered practices into the menu planning process! 

Wednesday, November 20th

2-3pm

Register here. 

What Makes a House a Home? 

Postsecondary Possibilities

This workshop will discuss different college resources and activities your child should participate in to ensure they are fully prepared for the transition out of school. 

RSVP to amycornell@nemasketgroup.com or 508-999-4436

Wednesday, November 20th

6-8pm

Fairhaven, MA

MFOFC Family Leadership Series

The MFOFC Family Leadership Series focuses on supporting families and individuals to live in their communities as naturally and typically as desired. The Series is organized into three two-day workshops focused on Initiative and Leadership; Creating a Vision;and Policy Making at the Local, State and Federal Level.

Northeast Region Series 

January 31 & February 1

February 28 & March 1

April 11 & 12

April 26

@ Courtyard Marriott Boston/Woburn North

Applications due December 13; space is limited!

Click here for full details and link to application. 

Matthew Cullen (left) and Liam Josephson (right) recently participated in a fundraiser at Ipswich pizza place, Pomodori Pizzeria. The guys, outfitted in employee t-shirts and hats, worked a 90-minute shift and then got dinner for free! Their hard work brought in $300 to the MDSC. Our big thanks goes out to Matthew, Liam, and Pomodori Pizza owner Peter Nikolakopoulos (far right).