International recording star Justin Hines and Boston College and Baltimore Colts great Dan Sullivan joined WBZ Radio NightSide Host Dan Rea for the second annual "All Aboard The Arc" fundraising and awareness rally yesterday, Sunday, April 29 at John Hancock Hall in Boston. Comcast Business Class was the statewide sponsor of the event. Nearly 1,000 joined the event thru a caravan of busses from across the state via nine send-off sites: Greenfield, Hyannis, Haverhill, Southbridge, Brockton, Fitchburg, Taunton, Westwood and Waltham.  Still time to donate-- you can do that here.
Click here to view pictures from the events.

As reported earlier, the House Ways and Means budget was positive for our constituents. However there are two high priority amendments that will be taken up in House debate begining on April 23rd: Human Services Salary Reserve of $28 Million and Turning 22 for $8 Million.  To read more and this week's notes from The Arc go here.  Our budget page is here. 

Chair Brian Dempsey and the House Ways/Means Committee showed their strong support for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities with the release of their budget blueprint.  $10 Million more in the Family Support compared to the Gov's budget.  $1 Million more for Turning 22.  Best budget plan in 31/2 years.Go here to see the 2013 page.  Photo: Chair Dempsey flanked by Committee members.

To read today's Notes from The Arc, please go here.   A busy day today with Sen. Fred Berry receiving what will be the future Sen. Fred Berry award from the Mass. Early Intervention Consortium(MEIC).  AFAM held "Autism Awareness Day".  Gov. Patrick present at AFAM's event to receive award.      

Board member Tim Evans is taking leadership new feaute to The Arc of Massachusetts website coming this April called "Connect. About making more connections and sharing our stories. Learn more about it here.

On Thursday, March 29, the House passed Congressman Ryan’s budget bill with a 228 to 191 vote (10 Republicans joined 181 Democrats in voting against the bill). This plan would cut nondefense spending by $5.3 trillion over 10 years, while cutting taxes for corporations and upper income individuals. It would be very   harmful for people with disabilities as mandatory programs that people with disabilities rely on.Read entire article here.  See April 2nd Notes from The Arc here (posts Monday am)

Beginning on March 13, a series of webinars will be hosted by The Arc of Massachusetts.  Topics include Legal Considerations, Transition Timeline, Benefits and Think College.  To learn more connect here.

The House and Senate Ways and Means Committees are holding joint budget hearings.  The main public hearing for our comments and statement of priorities is on March 9 at Gardner Auditorium. However there are usually opportunities to share your testimony at the end of the hearings where officials such as Commissioner Howe testify on their agency budgets.  February 22 (Medicaid) and February 22 (DDS, MRC, etc.) in Fitchburg are two such examples. Go here to see the schedule.

Washington, DC – On Friday, February 10, 150 leaders of The Arc from across the country met with a variety of senior White House officials at a Community Leaders Briefing to ask questions and discuss issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) (for Massachusetts attendees please see list below which includes towns). The session, held just for The Arc, included an unannounced visit from President Barack Obama. The President spoke of his commitment to people with disabilities saying, “I’ve got your back.”    Read on to see comments from the other speakers and pictures from the event.  Speakers included the Chief of Staff, Domestic Policy Director and the Attorney General’s leader on Civil Rights enforcement.  To see video of part of the day, go here. 

Read More Here.

Washington, DC – This week, five leaders of The Arc from Massachusetts will join 150 leaders of The Arc from across the country to attend a White House Community Leaders Briefing.   Over the course of the day, leaders of chapters of The Arc, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), will be briefed by high level White House and Administration officials on topics ranging from Medicaid to education to community living and employment for people with I/DD, and have the chance to engage with and ask questions of these officials.  This day-long briefing is specifically for The Arc’s network, and comes just weeks before Developmental Disabilities Awareness month, which is in March and will be marked with efforts across the country to raise awareness of issues facing people with disabilities.