The Arc's Group Workshops & Trainings
Maura Sullivan is the Senior Director of Government Affairs and Health Policy for The Arc of Massachusetts. She leads The Arc’s advocacy efforts at the Massachusetts State House, focusing on state budget supports, legislation, and policy initiatives for people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Maura also runs Operation House Call, a program that teaches medical students at all medical schools in Massachusetts how to enhance care for people with autism and IDD.
Maura is a national speaker on health equity as well as a guest lecturer at local colleges and universities. Maura is also a parent of two young adults with autism. Maura specializes in training topics that include:
- Advocacy across the Lifespan for People with Autism and IDD: Learn how to be a strong and effective advocate for your loved one with autism from diagnosis to adulthood.
- Social Change and Legislative Advocacy – Basic to Advanced: Learn how to share your story to spur societal and Governmental change.
- Navigating Autism: A Parent/Professional Perspective: Maura will share her personal family journey that includes raising her two sons with profound autism and how her passion for advocacy grew from this lived experience.
- Health Care Advocacy for People with Autism and IDD: Learn best practices for establishing partnerships with healthcare providers that lead to positive and inclusive healthcare experiences.
mahoney@arcmass.org
781-891-6270 ext. 109
Kerry Mahoney is the Director of Education and Outreach at The Arc of Massachusetts. She brings over four decades of experience in assisting families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism.
Kerry is also an Ambassador with Charting the LifeCourse Nexus, which offers a person centered framework for planning, problem solving and supporting a good life for families and their loved ones. Kerry specializes in training topics that include:
- Transition Planning: The road to adulthood can be complicated and full of new terms and jargon! Learn the steps to take to ensure your son or daughter are receiving the necessary services and supports in adulthood.Â
- Future Planning: Who will be there for your loved one when you are no longer able to provide care? Learn about the components to help plan for a good life after you are gone.
- Access and Navigation of Federal and State Disability Services: So much paper and so much jargon! Let’s demystify government benefits and services! Learn about federal and state benefits and services. Who provides what service and how do you access them?
- Charting the LifeCourse: Charting the Lifecourse provides a set of frameworks and tools that can help with planning , goal setting and problem solving. These frameworks and tools are helpful in transition planning, developing a vision and articulating what is a good life for your loved ones as well as what don’t you want to see happen. Tools can be used by the the individual and caregiver and shared with school support teams as well as state services.
Pathways to Friendship is a collaborative initiative on social inclusion between the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), The Arc of Massachusetts, and several organizations providing residential supports to persons served by DDS. The Pathways collaboration explores the benefits of relationships between people with disabilities and people without disabilities, and provides information about resources to help interested individuals engage in and sustain those relationships.
