SNAP, The Shutdown, and Our Community:
Advocacy and Resources to Protect Food Security
Thursday, November 6 @ 12:00PM

The Arc of Massachusetts invites you to a webinar on how the ongoing government shutdown is disrupting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and what that means for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. We’ll share up-to-date information, state resources, and advocacy tools to help families stay informed and supported during this uncertain time.

Protecting Adults with Disabilities from Abuse
Wednesday, November 19 @ 12:00PM

Join us and learn about the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC), the state agency responsible for protecting adults with disabilities from the abusive or negligent acts of their caregivers. Presented by experienced DPPC leadership, the webinar will explain how to report concerns of abuse and talk about the state’s Abuser Registry. The webinar will also provide information about the Commission’s new resources as well as its investigation, oversight and prevention efforts to protect persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Presenters:

• Julie Howley Westwater serves as General Counsel for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC). In this role, she represents the Commission in all legal matters related to investigations, prosecution, and prevention of abuse of persons with disabilities.
• Victoria Gill leads Learning, Development, and Innovative Projects at DPPC. Before joining the Commission, she spent more than 20 years in the IDD provider services sector. In addition to this work, Victoria has lived experience as the mother of a child with Autism. Her dedication to DPPC’s mission is deeply rooted in her professional and lived experience.

Three Evenings of Friendship: Video Screening Series

Friendships matter, bringing joy and comfort during good times and bad! These short, friendship stories each tell the story of a pair of friends–one with and one without a disability. They highlight the simple beauty and possibility of friendship. Join Pathways to Friendship over three Tuesday evenings to watch these uplifting videos and virtually meet the friends after each screening.

Friends from the Start
Tuesday, December 2 @ 7:00PM

• • Jonathan and Joy: Friends Reconnected
  • Austin and Alex: Charting a Course to Friendship
  • Third friendship pairing to be confirmed!

Friendship Has No Age Limits
Tuesday, February 3 @ 7:00PM

• • Warren and Velvet: Like Peanut Butter and Jelly
  • Seth and Evan: A Friendship Match Made in Heaven
  • Third friendship pairing to be confirmed!