I am sorry to let you know that The Arc of Massachusetts is canceling its 65th Anniversary Celebration, which was scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at the Boston Marriott Newton. The cancellation is in response to mounting concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A state of emergency was declared in Massachusetts on Tuesday.
On March 4, 2020, nearly 500 self-advocates, family members, professionals, legislators, and staff members gathered at the Massachusetts State House for the 42nd Annual Legislative Reception, Breaking Through Bias: Advancing Opportunities, Raising Expectations. Organized by The Arc of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC), this year represented record turnout for the event as we all came together to recognize our Legislators of the Year: Representative Aaron Michlewitz (D-3rd Suffolk), Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth).
It is important to once again give a BIG THANK YOU to Governor Baker’s administration on the release of rate regulations which took place on Friday, February 21. But I felt that the blog I sent out on February 28 could lead to misunderstandings for our readers due to its initial sentences regarding the pay rates of staff.
