Budget and Appropriations: Congressional Action Pending on Federal
Spending Plan
As the deadline nears for action on a federal spending bill for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016,
Congress will have a shortened work week due to the recess for Yom Kippur and the
address by Pope Francis to the joint meeting of Congress. Congress must pass
legislation in advance of October 1, 2015 to keep the federal government funded. The
House and Senate leadership are discussing strategies to avoid a government shutdown
which is complicated by the efforts to end federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
Major Events Last Week
Education/Rights: Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services
(HHS) Issue Policy Statement on Inclusive Early Intervention
On September 14, HHS and ED released a policy statement highlighting the importance
of assuring that all young children with disabilities have access to inclusive, high-quality
early childhood programs. The policy statement sets a vision for states, local educational
agencies, schools, and public and private early childhood programs to strengthen and
increase the number of inclusive high-quality early childhood programs nationwide. Read
more information on the policy statement here.
Data Collection: Census Releases 2014 Poverty and Income Data
Last week, the U.S. Census Bureau released new poverty and income data for 2014. In
2014, the nation’s official poverty rate was 14.8 percent—representing 46.7 million people
living in poverty—and median household income was $53,657. The Census found no
statistically significant change from 2013 in either real median household income or the
official poverty rate. In 2014, for people aged 18 to 64 with a disability, the poverty rate
was 28.5 percent, not statistically different from 2013. The new Census data also found
that in 2014, the percentage of people without health insurance coverage declined to
10.4 percent, down from 13.3 percent in 2013 – representing 33.0 million people without
health insurance in 2013 compared to 41.8 million in 2013. Additionally, in 2014, non-
elderly adults with disabilities were more likely to have health insurances than those
without a disability: 89.0 percent of adults aged 18 to 64 years with a disability had
insurance coverage, compared to 85.5 percent of adults without a disability. Visit the
Census web site to access the full findings.
Announcements
Education/Restraint & Seclusion: Webinar Series on Effective Alternatives to
Restraint and Seclusion Announced
TASH and the National Association of Elementary School Principals are sponsoring a
webinar series, “Creating School Cultures Where all Students Thrive – A Series for
Education Leaders, on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and
Trauma Informed Practices.” The series is in five parts, each Thursday from
September 24 to October 22, 2015 from 3:30 – 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Learn more
about the series and register here.
Marchand Internship – Application for Spring 2016 Session Due Oct 1
The Paul Marchand Internship Fund will provide $3,000 per semester or summer
session to assist interns interested in pursuing careers in public policy advocacy for
people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). For 38 years, Paul
Marchand was a dedicated disability policy advocate and recognized leader working on
behalf of people I/DD and the larger disability community. Upon his retirement in 2011,
The Arc, with substantial contributions from United Cerebral Palsy, other organizations,
and individuals with whom Paul worked during his decades in Washington, established
an internship to honor Paul and to continue to cultivate disability policy advocates. See application information and FAQs
Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Fellowship Program Accepting Applications
The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation is seeking applicants for its Public Policy
Fellowship. Applicants should be exemplary professionals, people with disabilities, or
family members of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The
fellowship prepares mid-career, or more seasoned leaders, to assume leadership in the
disability public policy arena at the state or national level. Fellows spend one year in
Washington, D.C. in the office of a Member of Congress, Congressional Committee, or
federal agency. Learn more and apply for the fellowship here. Applications are due
October 31, 2015.
Tony Paulauski Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org
