Health Care Project Update

August 28, 2007

Would you like to participate and be a part of a focus group?

The Arc of Massachusetts’ staff members are in the planning stage of the new health care project, which is funded by The Boston Foundation.  The project (needs assessment) will examine adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities health care access.  Mandy Nichols, Project Director, is developing relationships with diverse community organizations to recruit self-advocates, parents/guardians, and mid-level managers of long-term support services (those who oversee more than one residential program and can speak to the health care access services recipients receive) for focus groups. Beginning in late October 2007, focus groups will be held in Urban Boston, Reading, Dedham/ Needham, and Concord.  If you are interested in participating in a focus group, then call 781-891-6270 x100 and leave a message noting your interest along with your name and telephone number.  The team will also gather data via surveys/interviews with legislators, medical personnel, insurance providers, and representatives of health care systems.  By late October 2007, an additional survey will be available on The Arc of Mass’ web site.  This survey is geared to the general public and those who are unable to attend a focus group.  Whether you are a self-advocate, parent/guardian, or mid-level manager, please check our web site during the month mentioned above and share the health care access experiences via our web-based survey.