Recent News
Community Living and Working into the Future
Martha H. Ziegler, Educational-Rights Champion for Children with Disabilities, Dies
We are sad to convey the news that Martha H. Ziegler died early Saturday morning Sept 13, 2014 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her death follows a serious fall in April and a series of health complications that kept her in the hospital or in rehabilitative care since that time. She was 84 years old.
September 9th Massachusetts Election
By: Charlie FiskeGovernor Signs Priority Bills into law!
Boston: Governor Deval Patrick signed three disability bills into law on August 5th and 6th, which:Three High Priority bills of The Arc Headed for Governor’s Signature
A flurry of activity throughout the day resulted in resolution of many items in the Massachusetts State Legislature as the final day of formal session began on July 31. We are pleased to report three top priority bills of The Arc and one supported bill made it through the session. We owe a strong debt of gratitude to the General Court, and Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray. Barbara L’Italien, Director of Government Affairs played a key role spending many hours this week at the state house, and traveling between offices or phoning as needed.
Conference Committee Budget Released for 2015
The 36.5B fiscal year 2015 budget was finalized on June 29th and passed 144-7 in the House and unanimously in the Senate on June 30th.The budget made significant investments in services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who receive services from the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). Most notably was the investment to fund increases in the rate paid for long term residential services through CH257 – the first such rate increase in close to thirty years. 3M in funding was included for the employment initiative to place more individuals into integrated, community-based employment. The final budget included a 2.5M increase over last year for the Family Supports program. Transportation also received an increase over last year. The DESE/DDS program and Turning 22 were level funded from last year and there was a slight increase in the Autism Services line item.
