Families, staff and agency leaders are showing amazing amounts of fortitude during these uncertain weeks.To build a community of caring we need to listen to each other and communicate regularly with you about what is happening and what we hope will happen. This message covers some positive developments and some goals ahead of us.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are facing threats to their health and wellbeing due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Congress has recently passed two important Coronavirus packages, which have been signed by President Trump, but this is just a start in addressing this crisis. More action must be taken to support people with disabilities and their families!
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.
