Category Archives: COVID19
The Arc’s Maura Sullivan Takes Part In 2021 National Health Equity Summit
As The Arc of Massachusetts continues our commitment to promoting and ensuring equity in healthcare, we’re thrilled to announce that Maura Sullivan, our Director of Government Affairs and Operation House Call, is participating as part of the faculty panel for the National Health Equity Summit happening this week (6/7-6/10).
FY’22 State Budget: Senate Releases Completed Budget Blueprint
Last week, the Massachusetts State Senate completed its blueprint of the budget. Funding in both the House and Senate include The Arc’s priorities. Increases in Day, Employment, and Family Support are in both branches. Other line items such as Residential and Autism Omnibus appear to have adequate funding.
Leo’s Letter: Possible Further Delay in Community Funding Relief
We heard this morning that states could request a 30-day extension to submit plans on the use of the additional Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) monies. This afternoon, The Arc had a meeting with state leaders and a CMS representative (Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to further review the billions states will receive (approximately $400 million for our state).
New National Autism Indicators Report Released, Focusing On Family Perspectives on Services and Supports
The Arc is pleased to share the National Autism Indicators Report: Family Perspectives on Services and Supports. The Arc’s Maura Sullivan contributed to this report as a member of the Advisory Panel. The report, from Drexel Autism Institute, details information regarding families of autistic adults who use Developmental Disability services and the gaps they face in services and supports, lack of emergency planning and barriers to community participation.
Contact Your Senator: Budget Amendments on Nicky’s Law, Pandemic Impact on Students of Color with Autism, and Turning 22
COVID-19: Homebound Vaccination Program Expanded, Preregistration System Closed
On May 21, the Baker-Polito Administration announced an expanded COVID-19 Homebound Vaccination Program. The current vaccine preregistration system will close at the end of May, but the vaccine finder website VaccineFinder will remain active.