The Arc's 2023-2024 Legislative Impact

WORKFORCE WAGES

  • Increased workforce wages by an average of 20% for FY25 through Chapter 257 for direct support professionals..

DDS FUNDING

  • Increases in Department of Developmental Services (DDS) programs and supports totaled over $160 million.

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

  • Passed a longtime priority – Accessory Dwelling Units – as part of the Affordable Homes Act.
  • The Arc of Massachusetts was appointed to a special commission to study housing for people with disabilities in Massachusetts.

BLUE ENVELOPE

  • Passed legislation through the Senate and the State Police. The program rolled out with 12,000 blue envelopes distributed.
  • The State Police heard our concerns about identifying passengers with autism and ensured that the Blue Envelopes can also be used to identify passengers.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

  • Legislation in the FY25 budget that made community college tuition-free and fee-free for certain students was inclusive of our priority legislation to provide free community college for direct support professionals.

PCA PROGRAM

  • Stopped proposed PCA Cuts.
  • The Arc of Massachusetts was appointed to serve on a commission to study PCA program needs and sustainability.

ABA EARMARK

  • Legislative earmark to provide additional Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) training for providers that serve clients with complex behavior challenges.

OPERATION HOUSE CALL

  • Legislative earmark to expand Operation House Call, The Arc’s nationally recognized healthcare equity program.