The Arc of the South Shore
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781-335-3023
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- The Beacon
| Spring 2009 | Summer 2009 | Fall 2009 - Sponsor the Beacon
February 1, 2010
January 27, 2010
Governor proposes FY11 Budget amidst continued instability
Rotary Club of Weymouth Awards $2,500 Grant for Community Supports! -
Funds awarded to the Arc will be used to help defray the costs of the Community Supports and Respite Programs.
In the state's FY'09 budget funding for this program was eliminated. Since which time the program has operated through user fees and additional fund raising.
"We are extremely thankful to the Rotary Club of Weymouth for recognizing the importance of the program." Said Program Director Katie Hanley. "It's also very heartening to realize that a community group, like the Rotary, has given us this vote of confidence in the quality of work that we do."
In this photo, Rotarian Rob Lynch presents a check to the Arc. From left to right are; Board President James Lawson, Executive Director Daryl Cook, Rob Lynch, and Board Treasurer Ted Skrypek.
December 14, 2009
Budget Cuts Likely to Cost Federal Dollars & Cause Courts to Intervene
December 13, 2009
December 10, 2009
Despite reprieve, providers, families of disabled fear for MassHealth budget
December 5, 2009
December 2, 2009
November 30, 2009
Joint Update from Mass Arc and ADDP
November 25, 2009
Arc of the South Shore Awarded Three-Year CARF Accreditation
November 18, 2009
November 17, 2009
Disability Community Pleads with Governor to Reconsider Cuts
November 13, 2009
November 12, 2009
November 10, 2009
October 29, 2009
Governor spares major Cuts to Disability Services
Families/Advocates thank Gov. for values-based budget decisions - Vigil seen as having impact
October 28, 2009
Vigil Update - Oct 28, 2009
Speaker Robert DeLeo met with some representatives of the vigil at 4pm on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The Speaker stated he appreciated the concerns of individuals and families about potential cuts and that the vigil made him and others very aware of the impact of their decisions. We discussed potential cuts with him explaining we had no specifics on targets within DDS, MassHealth and elsewhere. We did share how devastating these cuts will be and shared two stories related to the previous cuts. Speaker DeLeo couldn’t give us any guarantees about outcomes but left the door open to further discussions as this crisis continues. Read Entire Report
Arc's Vigil Moves from Governor's Office to Speaker
(Posted 10/20/2009) The Arc & Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change will be moving the Vigil into the offices of the Speaker of the House & the President of the Senate for 3 days, beginning next Monday, October 26, 2009, Tuesday, October 27, and Wednesday, October 28, 2009.
The Vigil in the Governor’s office was highly successful in framing the 9C Budget cut discussion. This effort needs to be continued to convince the Legislature to support the Governor’s request for expanded 9C budget cutting authority. Legislative approval of this request will enable to the Governor to focus on budget trimming on areas other than human services.
Please let me or The Arc (advocate@arcmass.org) know if the families and consumers you work with can be available to cover one of the following time slots:
- Monday, October 26, 2009 9:00 a.m. to Noon & Noon to 3pm
- Tuesday, October 27, 2009 9:oo a.m. to Noon & Noon to 3pm
- Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:00 a.m. to Noon & Noon to 3pm
Confirmation details to come later this week from the Arc.
Arc Volunteers Serve It Up At Gillette Stadium
(Posted 8-25-09) In these difficult economic times it can be easy to get discouraged by the constant grind of funding cuts and the resulting reductions and losses of services. One family is taking action in response to these constant threats brought on by cuts in funding to the Department of Developmental Sevices (formerly Department of Mental Retardation), and is working to support the Arc of the Sout
h Shore in order to maintain its level of services.
Linda Sera says "The ARC is so important to us, as it is to so many people that need them. Whatever we can do to help keep the programs, we will." Which includes leading an effort to gather volunteers to work concessions at 10 events at Gillette Stadium this year to raise money for the the Arc. For more information on Linda and her family read The Sera Story.
It may not be known that the majority of concession stands at Gillette Stadium are run by volunteer groups who, in turn, earn a portion of the proceeds for the benefit of the organization they are representing. As part of the program, groups committ to providing a certain number of people for scheduled events. This year, the Arc is organizing volunteers of work at TEN events and hope to perform well enough to do more next year.
For more information on volunteering for any of these dates, please call the Arc Development Office at (781) 413-2230
State's Fiscal Problems Far From Over
(Posted 8-19-2009 - From ADDP [http:/www.addp.org]) Just in case you felt like nothing could be worse than this past year's budget battle, get ready for another rocky season. According to most budget watchers and legislative analysts, FY 2011 may make the FY 2010 debate seem like the good old days. Read ADDP Update
Respite services for families of people with intellectual disabilities being cut in Massachusetts
Fallout continues from budget cuts. This article, published in the Boston Herald on July 19, 2009 illustrates issues faced by Toward Independent Living and Learning, Inc (TILL), an organization based in Quincy, MA. Read Article
Golfers for 22nd Louis Bailey Outing Have Great Day
The weather reports were ominous, the skies threatened all day, but that didn't deter any of the supporters who arrived at the South Shore Country Club on June 15th to support the Arc. Read Entire Arcticle
A Deficit of Decency
The painful state budget hammered out last week left Gary Blumenthal shaking his head.
The executive director of the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers is a veteran of the State House budget wars, and he certainly knows the state is in a recession. But this budget, he said, will be a disaster for the disabled people he represents. Read Entire Article
Immediate Action Needed: Taking EI Advocacy Effort to the Next Level
Direct Outreach to House Speaker DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chairman Murphy Needed to support the EI Conference Budget Request
We sent our EI Conference Budget advocacy request to everyone last week and we hope that every EI program has activated their network and is busy making their calls and sending their emails to their Representative and Senator requesting their support for the Early Intervention Conference Budget Request.
But that general advocacy is not enough. There is so much at stake for EI in this Conference Budget process that we need to add targeted advocacy efforts as well.
Conference Committee Deliberations Underway; Thousands at Risk
Ask your Legislator to support Disability Services
(Posted June 2, 2009) Disability services are sharply reduced in the proposed budgets. Because of our entire community's vigorous advocacy, we have succeeded in restoring a portion of the proposed cuts. However, heading into Conference Committee -- where House and Senate leaders will decide line-by-line which version of the budget to accept -- we are still faced with a worst case shortfall of $73 MILLION in the Department of Developmental Services budget alone. Even if all our Conference Committee requests are granted, DDS would still be $47.5 MILLION short-funded (not including cuts at other disability agencies).
3 gravely disabled sisters; one fraying lifeline
Jillian Burke was a beautiful baby with blond hair and blue eyes, and she grew into a happy, chatty toddler. Three years later, Nancy and Paul Burke welcomed Lindsey into the world, and after another three years, Kelsey. Read Entire Article
Commonwealth Failing Its Most Fragile Citizens
(Bella English - May 3, 2009 - Boston Globe) Grace O'Hara loves her regular outings with friends. Just like any teenager, she goes bowling, or to dinner, plays, and movies. But Grace, 15, isn't just like any teen. She was born with Down syndrome, and though she has participated in town sports and after-school activities in Norwell, where she lives, her parents have noticed a recent change. Read Entire Article
Donate Your Unwanted Vehicle to Support The Arc
The Arc of the South Shore is pleased to announce a new nationwide car donation program to benefit our programs. The Arc can now accept donations of cars, trucks, boats, and other vehicles!
To donate your vehicle, you simply need to call the toll free phone number, or visit our website and complete the form.
The program is offered through The Arc of the United States. Once on the donation page, be sure to choose The Arc of the South Shore as the beneficiary chapter.
A customer service representative will schedule the vehicle pick up. The vehicle will then be sold at auction with 90% of the proceeds directly benefitting the Arc!
The vehicle donation call center and vehicle processing is all being handled by Melwood, a non-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. Melwood operates one of the largest vehicle donation programs in the U.S. and is extending its call center and processing system to other non-profits.
The Arc of the South Shore will receive 90% of the net proceeds from donations where the donor has identified us as the intended beneficiary of the gift.
“This is a quick and easy way for our supporters to make a donation to the Arc, relieve themselves of the hassle of trading in, or disposing of used vehicles, and get a tax deduction! It’s a win-win-win situation!” Said Craig Pina, Director of Development at the Arc of the South Shore.
Marketing materials and information sheets will be available soon. We encourage all of our supporters to let their friends and families know about this exciting new program.
Vehicle donations may be made by calling the toll free number above, or by visiting the Arc's Vehicle Donation Website
Arc Consumers Dazzle over 450 at 57th Dinner Dance
Randolph - On Friday April 17th over 450 supporters of the Arc of the South Shore gathered at the Lantana Function Hall in Randolph for the Arc’s 57 th Annual Dinner Dance.
Governor to Recommend Restoring Funds to Support Services
Boston – (Posted March 24, 2009) At least 1,000 families will retain some or all Family Support Services and the program’s infrastructure will remain intact as Governor Patrick will recommend this afternoon that $21 million be reinstated in the Community Programs line-item (5911-2000) in the FY2010 budget. The infusion of funds is a significant step toward restoring the proposed $45 million cut to Family Support Services. The proposed cuts would have decimated what widely considered the Department of Mental Retardation’s most cost-effective program.
The governor and Executive Office of Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby will be making the announcement this afternoon at the Cambridge Health Alliance. “We thank Governor Patrick and Secretary Bigby for partially restoring the proposed cuts,” said Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director of The Arc. “These steps provide encouragement to individuals and families who are in dire need of services. It’s clear that the governor is hearing the voices of people in the community.”
Governor Patrick’s recommendation today will mean that some families will keep their services ; largely children with complex medical needs and children and adults at immediate risk of out-of-home placement. However, much of the funds are necessary to simply preserve the program’s infrastructure: a responsive information referral system and emergency and clinical team services.
Arc President Frederick M. Misilo, Jr., said, “We understand the difficult financial situation the state is in, but these services are an essential safety net to thousands of families.” Sarkissian and Misilo added that The Arc, along with other disability advocacy groups, will work with the Administration and the Legislature to ensure full restoration of Family Support Services.
For a modest $1,000 to $4,000 per family, Family Supports capitalizes on existing community resources, builds on a family’s natural supports and fosters self-reliance, thereby limiting (or eliminating) the use of costlier public resources. It helps families remain in-tact and healthy by providing:
§ Assistance obtaining medical supplies and services
§ Respite care, including emergency and overnight respite
§ After-school programs for school-age children and teens
§ Information and referral services
§ Specialized recreation programs including sports, camps, etc.
§ Skills instruction such as teaching parents to manage challenging behaviors
§ Teaching self-advocates independent living skills
§ Adaptive equipment (specialized shower stalls, wheelchair ramps, etc.)
§ Educational advocacy
§ And much, much more….
Contact The Arc if you would like to be put in touch with families in your area receiving (or in need of) these services.
Governor Patrick and Secretary Bigby will also recommend this afternoon restoring approximately $9 million to the DMR (soon-to-be Department of Developmental Services) budget toward capital needs at the Wrentham Developmental Center and state-operated community residences throughout the state. The governor is proposing an infusion of an additional $20 million into his “Community First Initiative,” which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and elders move from institutions into community settings. Community First (4000-0650) has been severely underfunded since its inception. He is also recommending additional monies to help people with disabilities (those served by MRC, MCB and MCDHH) enter the workforce.
These program restorations are possible because of increased Medicaid matching funds (FMAP) through the recently passed federal stimulus package.
The Arc of The South Shore supports any reasonable proposals for the Legislature to obtain the additional resources necessary to maintain the already limited services for people with disabilities . The Arc will testify at the state’s April 7 revenue hearing in support of such proposals. The Arc also points to more than $700 million from the federal stimulus package that was not included in the governor’s original budget.
House Members Begin Effort to Restore Programs
(Posted on March 23, 2009) Rep. Tom Sannicandro, of Ashland, has written to his House colleagues urging them to sign onto a letter to the Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chair Charlie Murphy, urging the restoration of disability cuts contained in Governor Deval Patrick's House One Budget recommendations.
In an email sent to his colleagues, Sannicandro wrote: "If the Governor's lead is followed by the House, over 11,500 individuals and families will be impacted, whether from the 1,065 jobs that will be lost, or the families that will be placed at an even greater burden through losing day, night or 24 hour services for their family members that receive services."
Arc supporters are urged to call or write your own House Member to urge them to sign onto Rep. Sannicandro's letter.
To phone your House member, you may obtain their phone number HERE or visiting:
http://www.mass.gov/legis/memmenuh.htm
We'll let you know the names of all House Members who sign on to support restoring these essential services for people with disabilities.
Senator Hedlund Visits with Arc Board
(Posted on February 26, 2009) State Senator Robert Hedlund ( Weymouth) met with the board of directors of the Arc of the South Shore on Tuesday, February 25 th. The special meeting with board members was to hear 
their concerns regarding budget cuts proposed by Governor Deval Patrick.
Program directors from each of the Arc’s affected programs presented what the impact would be on their programs. Katie Hanley, Director of Community Supports detailed the effects of funding that has been dramatically reduced in the Governor’s proposed budget. Given the magnitude of this cut the Department of Mental Retardation may choose to eliminate family support funding completely. Hanley explained the detrimental effects on people with disabilities and their families if family support and respite care were to be cut and costs that families would need to cover if they were to pay out of pocket. Anne Holton, Vice President and Director of Day Services explained that cuts to her program would mean the elimination of employment services for up to 19 current participants possibly resulting in those people being placed in programs that are not as appropriate, or loss of services altogether. Rhonda Meisel, Director of First Early Intervention detailed the effects of funding cuts and new regulations that would increase the eligibility requirements for children from birth to 3 years old. These changes will undoubtedly have lasting effects on children’s lives and the education system.
Board members also commented on the negative impact these cuts would have on families, consumers and the community as a whole. Cuts in early intervention would lead to greater needs that would have to be addressed by school systems, cuts to respite and family supports programs would impose tremendous hardships on families served and reductions to employment services would lead to a step backwards for many individuals that have thrived in this setting as well as putting a hardship on families.
After hearing the presentations and statements from all present, Sen. Hedlund stressed his strong belief that state government exists primarily to fulfill 4 basic needs. Those needs are public safety, education, basic infrastructure and especially to take care of those who can’t always take care of themselves, like those served by The Arc of the South Shore. Hedlund was very clear that he has done more than “talk the talk” when it comes to supporting our efforts, he stressed that it is very important for us to hold our legislators accountable in their rhetoric when compared to their voting record.
While Sen. Hedlund is only one person in the 40 person Senate he stressed the importance of letting our Reps and Senators know of our situation through letter writing. While it is very easy to send a pre-formatted email, all legislators are inundated with them. A letter is still always most effective. Sen. Hedlund said that he would consult with Sen. Richard Tisei ( Wakefield), who has been a champion of the Arc’s cause, and continue to work on behalf of those whom the Arc serves.
New Director of Development 
(Posted on February 9, 2009) The Arc of the South Shore announces the addition of Craig Pina to its staff. Mr. Pina will serve as the Director of Development and will be responsible for all development, marketing and public relations duties at the Arc. He replaces Claudia Cuscianna, who served the Arc in that capacity for three years.
Craig Pina has most recently worked as the Development Coordinator for the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts. While there, he was responsible for developing the organization’s giving programs and assisting local organizations in their fund raising activities.
Prior to that he was the South Suburban Area Manager, with Special Olympics Massachusetts for nearly seven years. As Area Manager, Mr. Pina oversaw a 26 town area and was responsible for all fund raising, volunteer outreach and training and organizing the area’s many special events and competitions.
Mr. Pina lives in Brockton with his wife and two daughters and has a long history of community involvement including current positions serving on the Water Commission for the City of Brockton and as President of the Board of Directors at Brockton Day Nursery.
Four Hundred gather at State House for Rally!
(Posted February 6, 2009 - Arc of Massachusetts) - Over four hundred individuals with disabilities, family members, staff and friends gathered at the Grand Staircase to rally against cuts at the Department of Developmental Services (presently DMR) and other disability agencies such as the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission. Individuals were present from regions throughout the state with press coverage via radio and newspaper.
The rally included remarks from family members who would lose support services if present cuts are implemented as well as a self advocate who noted that he was going ot be out of his work after 14 years. Susan Loring, Mark LeBlanc, Sue Linehan and Susan Nadworny all shared their stories followed by a rousing call to action by Gary Blumenthal of the ADDP.
This rally was endorsed by the following statewide disability advocacy organizations: The Arc of Massachusetts, The Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP), Massachusetts Families Organizing for Change (MFOFC), Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM) Mass Advocates Standing Strong (MASS) and Mass Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC).
Individuals visited their legislators while delegations followed up with the Governor's office as well as media outlets in the building. The rally is the first step in what will be a months long campaign to keep "People First" in the state budget. The cuts projected will result in 11,000 individuals and families losing services. Go here for more information on the cuts. An article in the Patriot Ledger on the cuts is here.
Earlier today, the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc hosted a new legislator orientation for senators and representatives. Senators Karen Spilka and Representative Barbara L'Italien shared how legislators can make an impact in the lives of people with disabilities and families in their roles at the State House. Sen. Spilka pointed out several budget issues and legislation which moved forward in the last session-- such as the "Change the Name" of the Dept. of Mental Retardation (Developmental Services) which was included first in the Senate version of the 2009 budget and accepted by the House in conference committee. Sen. Spilka noted the advocacy of Senators Berry and Brewer who joined with her to insure the language change.
Representative L'Italien encouraged individuals and families to share their personal stories when they visit their legislator. She also noted the historical underfunding of disability services and that it would be difficult to maintain even level funding during such a period.Leslie Lockhart and Anne Fracht shared their stories as family member and self advocate. Almost two thirds of new legislators attended the reception- a posting of names will go up on the web. In addition other legislators and friends of The Arc, MDDC and other groups attended the reception to show their support.
Health Care Report Released Feburary 2
(Posted February 6, 2009 - Arc of Massachusetts) - We also want everyone to be aware of the publication of The Arc's Health Care Report unveiled on February 2 with a special briefing at the Boston Foundation. The report can be reviewed or downloaded here. An article on the health care report is here at Boston.com, it had appeared on the first page of the Metro Region section.