Healthcare Grant Awarded to The Arc of Massachusetts June 25, 2007 - “The Arc of Massachusetts has been awarded a grant of $60,000 by the Boston Foundation,” Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director, said today.    According to Sarkissian, the grant will be used to improve the quality of health care services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex medical issues. The project was developed in response to issues reported to The Arc, such as consumers and family members getting caught in a maze of increasingly complex systems; the apparent reluctance of medical personnel to deal with individuals who have limited communication skills and reports from doctors that inadequate history and knowledge of consumers is a barrier to health examinations and proper screenings.   The project will begin by gathering information from health care providers, family members, and consumers in order to identify barriers to good quality health care.  Using the information gathered, The Arc will develop a plan of action that will include building alliances with health care providers, health care systems, insurance providers, key state agency personnel and targeted legislators.   The Arc, national and state has played a strong role in landmark achievements including Medicaid reform (including the establishment of the home and community based waiver program); the Americans with Disabilities Act; and expansion of home and community services through the Massachusetts Consent Decrees, the Boulet (Waiting List) Settlement and Rolland (Nursing Home) Settlement.   The Arc of Massachusetts was founded in 1954 as a non-profit, grass-roots organization consisting of family members, advocates, professionals, and concerned individuals dedicated to improving the quality of life and services for all citizens in Massachusetts with intellectual and developmental disabilities.      The Arc of Massachusetts, a statewide association, consists of 21 local chapters representing the interests of 120,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities.  Mary Ellen Mayo, RN, MS is president of the Board of Directors.  For more information about The Arc of Massachusetts, visit www.arcmass.org or call 781-891-6270.  The Boston Foundation, one of the nation’s oldest and largest community foundations, has an endowment of close to $770 million.  Last year, the Foundation made grants of $63.9 million to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of $73.6 million.  The Boston Foundation is made up of more than 850 separate charitable funds, which have been established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes.  The Foundation also serves as a civic leader, convener, and sponsor of special initiatives designed to build community.  For more information about the Boston Foundation and its grant making, visit www.tbf.org, or call 617-338-1700.