A newsletter for chapters that connects, engages and informs.
JANUARY 7, 2013
Letter from the CEO
Peter V. Berns
CEO of The Arc
Funding Available for Capital Projects
Last month, I had breakfast with Stan Goldman, a Program Director with the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation in Baltimore. The Weinberg Foundation, with assets more than $2 billion is the 28th largest foundation in the United States. The Foundation dedicates 50% of all its grants to capital projects and one of its focus areas is people with intellectual disabilities. In November 2012, the Weinberg Foundation announced that it is broadening the geographic focus for its capital grants and that proposals would be considered from anywhere throughout the U.S. in any of its program areas, including disabilities.
Capital grants are available for the purchase, construction or renovation of a building or the purchase of equipment. To qualify, the applicant must already have funding on hand or committed to cover 50% of the project cost. The Weinberg Foundation will fund up to 30% of project costs. Stan encouraged that chapters of The Arc with current capital projects should consider applying. For more information about how to submit a letter of inquiry, visit the Foundation’s website. If you submit an LOI, please send me a copy of your LOI so that I can follow-up with Stan and advocate on your behalf. As always, you can reach me at berns@thearc.org.
Resources & Opportunities
Make Plans Now to Attend the NEW NCE Leadership Institute
Walt Disney once said “whatever you do, do it well.” Let The Disney Institute teach you how to you lead your chapter with the energy and sense of purpose that is the Disney hallmark. All chapter leaders are invited to attend the NCE Leadership Institute February 25-26 in Orlando, Florida for training from The Disney Institute and Joe Plummer of the Columbia Business School. Take away tools that have helped build the Disney organization into a worldwide powerhouse and learn from a marketing guru who built his career working with such notable companies and Young & Rubicam and Paine Webber. Register now for enlightening sessions, social networking opportunities (House of Blues!) and gorgeous accommodations at the Walt Disney World Hilton. You’ll return home with new connections, new ideas and a new enthusiasm for your work.
Sign Up for a Board Committee or Advisory Group
On behalf of Nancy Webster, President of the Board of Directors of The Arc, volunteer and staff leaders of chapters of The Arc and other stakeholders and constituents are invited to apply to serve on the following committees:
Jobs in Agriculture for People with I/DD
In meetings over the past couple months, we have learned of a couple foundations that have an interest in sustainable agriculture. Anecdotally, we’ve discovered a few chapters of The Arc that are involving people with I/DD in agriculture or agriculture related work, including small scale farming, urban gardening, selling produce and products at farmers markets and more. There may be new funding opportunities in this area, and we are interested in learning more. Please email Peter Berns at berns@thearc.org and let us know if your chapter is involved in this field, as well as of other organizations that you know are being successful in providing integrated employment for people with I/DD on farms, in farmers markets, or similar settings.
The Arc Seeks a Managing Director of Employment and Transition Services
The Arc’s national office has an immediate opening for an experienced professional to serve as Managing Director, Employment and Transition Services. The Managing Director is responsible for creating employment opportunities for people with I/DD and helping youth with I/DD successfully transition from high school to adult life. The Managing Director will lead, plan and facilitate implementation of all national programs and initiatives at The Arc focused on employment and transition, providing leadership for the national expansion of the School-to-Community Transition and eXplore eRecycling programs, as well as for developing new initiatives focused on government and private sector employment. Knowledge of employment services, creativity, entrepreneurship, excellent written and oral communications skills and five years business or organizational management experience required; experience with nonprofit program replication or business franchising a plus. Send letter of interest, resume and three references to humanresources@thearc.org. EOE. Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.
Ask Autism NOW a Question
Autism NOW introduces the Autism NOW Answers Series where you can ask our experts a question and we’ll select two questions to answer each month. Visit our question form and fill it out then look for new videos on the Autism NOW YouTube channel each month answering your questions. Even if you don’t have a question, we invite you to share these videos and our website, www.autismnow.org with the people you serve. Check out Autism NOW Co-Director Amy Goodman answering the question “Now that my child was diagnosed with autism, what do I do next?” for an example of the types of questions and answers you can expect from this informative series.
News & Action Items
Partial Fiscal Cliff Deal Enacted; Paves the Way for Another Showdown
After weeks of tense negotiations, both the Senate and House passed a measure to address the series of harmful tax increases and spending cuts. Most of the tax cuts scheduled to take effect have now been permanently extended, while automatic spending cuts for discretionary programs have been slightly reduced and put off for two months. While the newly passed legislation does not include cuts in benefits for entitlement programs, this issue is expected to take center stage in the coming weeks as a bargaining chip in upcoming debt ceiling negotiations. There will be mounting pressure to generate additional revenue and to cut Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare as well as the discretionary programs such as housing, education, employment that people with I/DD rely on to live in the community. The Arc will remain actively involved in seeking a balanced approach to deficit reduction by advocating for increased revenue and protecting critical programs for our constituents. Learn more at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website and view The Arc statement on our blog.
Less Than 60 Days Left to Go Direct
On March 1, 2013, everyone who receives a paper check for Social Security or other federal benefit payments is required by law to switch to an electronic payment. The U.S. Treasury Department has an online toolkit with turn-key materials to help you help the people you serve understand their options and make the switch successfully. The Go Direct Month online tool kit contains newsletter copy, customizable news briefs, PSAs and other tools you can use.
State of California, The Arc Work to Protect Victims of Assault with I/DD
Concerned about a wave of rapes in California facilities for people with disabilities and mental illness, state Senator Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills, California) has proposed mandating the immediate use of rape kits to collect evidence when allegations of abuse are made. The Office of Protective Services, which provided police services at the five developmental centers, failed to order a single rape exam during three of the four years. Senator Pavley is drafting the proposal into a bill with the help of The Arc of California, Disability Rights California, United Cerebral Palsy and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. For more information, contact The Arc of California, and read the full story in the Los Angeles Times.
Online Education Opportunities
HealthMeet™ Launches Webinar Series
Join health experts every other Wednesday in January for free Webinars on a variety of health issues important to people with I/DD. HealthMeet™ is a project of The Arc made possible by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control to promote better health among people with intellectual disabilities. Register now for January’s sessions: Women’s Health Issues Over a Lifespan
Wednesday, January 9 – 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST
Dr. Suzanne Smeltzer, a Professor and Director for the Center for Nursing Research at Villanova University’s College of Nursing, will discuss health issues affecting women with disabilities. She will touch on common age-related issues, such as osteoporosis, which is prevalent in woman with disabilities due to immobility, use of antiepileptics, lower bone mineral density and bone loss. She will also be discussing the regular health screenings that all woman need, including breast health/check-ups, pap smears and gynecology visits. Barriers to Physical Activity for Individuals with I/DD
Wednesday, January 23 – 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST
Dr. James Rimmer, Director of the Lakeshore Foundation/University of Alabama at Birmingham Research Collaborative will be speaking on the different barriers and improvements in physical activity in individuals with I/DD. Many studies have found that being overweight is highly prevalent in adults with I/DD. He will explore factors that play a role in reduced physical activity and discuss lifestyle choices and organizational change to improve the health of people with IDD.
Creating Annual Reports that Shine – E-Learning Series Opportunity
The Arc has a new slate of educational webinar sessions on tap for you to help improve you Chapter. Our first session on Tuesday, January 29 at 2 p.m. EST – Creating Annual Reports that Shine – covers how to make your annual report shine. Find out how to have your annual report write itself. This webinar will touch on all the elements of this critical document: narrative, outcomes, graphic design, financial presentation, production and distribution, including online. It will also ensure that your annual report meets the requirements of the Standards for Excellence code. Have your most recent annual report available for reference as you participate in this webinar. Sign up now and bookmark this section of For Chapters at www.thearc.org for more opportunities on a variety of topics throughout the year.
IRS Webinar Helps Make Tax Services More Accessible
IRS Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication (SPEC) is hosting a webinar Tuesday, January 15 at 2 p.m. EST called “Expanding Your Reach: New Tools & Tactics to Connect with Taxpayers with Disabilities.” This webinar will provide valuable resources and innovative ideas that will help make tax services more accessible to people with disabilities such as a new e-learning Disability Awareness Training course, an overview of the next generation of issues facing the disability community, a new pilot with the US Department of Labor and their America’s Job Centers and alternative methods of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) known as Facilitated Self – Assistance and Virtual VITA for people with disabilities. Register now.
Chapter Focus
The Arc of Greensboro (NC) Creates Natural Pet Treat Company
The Arc of Greensboro’s arcBARKS Dog Treat Company is owned and operated by enthusiastic and talented young men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They have been organized together in an entrepreneurial way to create a wholesome and natural pet product and venue to provide transitional employment training. Participants are breaking barriers and are creating inclusive environments throughout the Greensboro community. Check out this unique solution to encouraging employment for people with I/DD while providing a great product for pet owners at www.arcbarks.com.
Branding – Your Questions Answered!
In 2013, this section of Fusion will be devoted to answering common questions from Chapters about The Arc’s brand. Do you have a question about becoming licensed, using the brand artwork or otherwise implementing the brand at your chapter? Send an email with your question to Brand Coordinator Amberley Romo today.
January 7 – The Arc of Monroe County, Rochester, NY
January 27 – The Arc National Board Meeting, Washington, DC
Find us on:
We encourage you to share this publication with other staff members and volunteer leadership of The Arc, and have them become an online user to gain valuable information in the “For Chapters” section of our website. For online access to “For Chapters,” click on the “For Chapters” link at bottom left of The Arc home page under “Chapter Resources.” If you’re already logged in, you will be brought directly to the “For Chapters” section. If you’re not logged in, you will be prompted to follow a link to the login page. If you’re a member, simply enter your username and password and click login. If you’re not a current member, click on “New User Registration” and complete the new user form.
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@www.thearcofil.org
