A newsletter for chapters that connects, engages and informs.
APRIL 1, 2013
Letter from the CEO
Peter V. Berns
CEO of The Arc
We’re Not Fooling – Up to 10 staff members may join NCE for only $499
Now that all CEOs and Executive Directors are automatically members of NCE for free, we encourage you to use the money you would have spent on your dues to sign up members of your staff instead so they can benefit from all NCE has to offer! Individual membership is $249 for the first staff member and $149 for each additional staff member… or you can buy an NCE Pass for $499 that lets up to 10 of your staff join NCE for one low price.
Topical Special Interest Groups will be forming soon, so don’t miss out. NCE will be what you and your staff members want it to be, so sign up and get involved today! As always, you can reach me at berns@thearc.org.
Resources & Opportunities
National Convention Marketing Toolkit Available
The Arc will host its National Convention at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue on Seattle’s East Side August 3-5 with a focus on technology and innovation as we explore how to Achieve Momentum for individuals, families and for the movement for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Taking a cue from the tech-savvy community around Seattle, we’ll treat this year’s attendees, many of whom we hope will be coming from your chapter; to cutting-edge technology demonstrations and introduce them to the innovative ways our organization is working to support individuals, families and each other with sessions dedicated to such topics as grassroots advocacy, encouraging self-advocacy, assistive technology and embracing diversity. Register now and we invite you to take advantage of a promotional toolkit to spread the word about Convention and the value of attending for your community. It includes sample copy and artwork you can use on your Website, in your newsletters, and in email and other communications. If you have any questions or need assistance downloading the materials, please e-mail Shelly DeButts at debutts@thearc.org.
District Hill Days Set to Coincide with DPS
If you are unable to attend this year’s Disability Policy Seminar April 15-17 in Washington, D.C., you can still advocate on behalf of people with I/DD by participating in a “District Hill Day” in your state. This is an opportunity for you to meet with your Congressional leader’s staff in your own backyard Wednesday, April 17 at the same time that Disability Policy Seminar advocates are heading to Capitol Hill. To do that, find your Senate and Congressional district office locations, and contact information for each. For information and talking points specific to your state, you can refer to information on the “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” website. In the coming weeks, watch your inbox for tips and information on making appointments in district offices and how you can help us amplify the message we are taking to Congress on April 17. Questions? Contact Dee Dee Eberle.
Amplify the Advocacy during DPS
On Wednesday, April 17, advocates from across the country will meet with their Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill at the culmination of the 2013 Disability Policy Seminar. The Arc will have a staff member on hand that day to record the event by posting photos and comments from individuals who are taking the “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline” message to Congress on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Follow us online using the hashtag #ourlifeline and be sure to share and comment.
Advocacy Matters! Award Nominations Open The Arc is seeking nominations for its 2013 Advocacy Matters! Award. This award honors an advocate, or group of advocates, who achieved a significant advocacy victory in the past year that improved life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or their families. The award recognizes advocacy that promotes and protects the civil and human rights of people with disabilities or that increases resources, services and supports that promote their full inclusion and participation in community life. To read about last year’s award recipient visit The Arc’s blog.
News & Action Items
National Policy Matters Addresses Chained CPI
The Arc has released a new issue of National Policy Matters, “The Chained CPI Cuts Social Security and SSI: What Disability Advocates Need to Know.” With ongoing Congressional discussions over deficit reduction, The Arc is very concerned about threats to Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These lifelines provide essential financial security for millions of Americans, including people with disabilities. The Arc believes that Social Security and SSI should not be part of deficit reduction, and that any changes to these systems must be carefully evaluated in terms of their effects on beneficiaries. This issue of National Policy Matters looks at one major threat to Social Security and SSI, the chained Consumer Price Index (“chained CPI”). Please read and share with your grassroots network.
FINDS Research Translated for Self Advocates
Four new Knowledge Translation documents from The Arc’s FINDS survey are now available on the Self-Advocacy Online (SAO) website under “Research for All”. Thanks to our friends at The University of Minnesota, Research and Training Center on Community Living for helping to make the important information available and accessible to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Directory of Advocacy and Support Organizations Improved Disease InfoSearch – the largest online directory of advocacy and support organizations with information on more than 13,000 conditions – officially re-launched March 19 with information about The Arc and other organizations available to healthcare providers and researchers, as well as to individuals who are newly diagnosed and searching for resources. Explore all of the exciting new features available at www.diseaseinfosearch.org and share this resource with your members.
The Arc Launches Autism Awareness Month Campaign
There been much debate about the new edition of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) coming out in May which will change the definitions of certain disorders on the autism spectrum and new reports about increasing prevalence in the U.S. But The Arc and Autism NOW would like kick off Autism Awareness Month by asking what the word “autism” means to the individuals who live with it on a daily basis. We will use our blogs, newsletters and social media channels to spark a conversation in this month with the theme: “What’s YOUR Definition of Autism?” We invite you to join us in this effort by using this promotional toolkit containing art and sample messages that you can put through your channels to expand the campaign. Questions, please contact Shelly DeButts at 202-534-3710 or debutts@thearc.org.
Nonprofits Adapt to New Economic Realities
After years of economic stress, many nonprofit organizations are changing the way they do business in order to adapt to new economic realities, a report from the Nonprofit Finance Fund finds. According to NFF’s 2013 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey, 49 percent of the 5,983 nonprofits that responded to the survey said they have added or expanded their programs or services, while 17 percent have reduced or eliminated programs or services. The survey also found that organizations dependent on public-sector funding face particular challenges, with only 14 percent of the nonprofits that receive state and local funding reporting they were paid for the full cost of services and just 17 percent of federal fund recipients receiving full reimbursement. As challenging economic conditions persist, many organizations are finding it difficult to meet the growing demand for services in their communities.
CDC Plans Autism Awareness Event in Georgia
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, is planning an Autism Awareness Month event for April 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tom Harkin Global Communications Center in Atlanta. This event, hosted by the CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Autism Society of America-Greater Georgia Chapter, Autism Speaks, The Autism Foundation of Georgia, and Atlanta Autism Consortium, Inc. features several notable speakers, a booksigning and arts performances. Chapters of The Arc in Georgia are encouraged to attend and consider being involved in the next event planned for 2014.
IS Releases New Value of Volunteer Time
The value of volunteer time provides one way to measure the impact millions of individuals make with each hour they dedicate to make a difference. The release of this important figure comes just in time for National Volunteer Week, April 21-27. The 2012 value of volunteer time was $22.14/hour, a 35-cent increase from 2011. State-by-state figures for the value of volunteer time are also available on the IS website. According to Urban Institute, nonprofits employ approximately 13.7 million workers – about 10 percent of the American work force – and account for about 5.5 percent of GDP. You can use this figure to calculate the immense value of your own volunteers and share it with others in the nonprofit and philanthropic sector.
Online Education Opportunities
Still Time to Register for April E-Learning Series Opportunities
Register now for The Arc’s E-Learning Series webinar designed to help chapters of The Arc successfully provide support individuals with learning differences who are parents. The session is April 18 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST. Find out more and register for Supporting Parents with Learning Differences today. And, be sure to watch for more E-Learning Series opportunities coming up in May.
Ending the “R” Word in Florida Florida House Bill 1119, the Intellectual Disabilities Bill, unanimously passed the Healthy Families Subcommittee of the Florida House of Representatives today after tireless advocacy work by The Arc of Florida and local Florida chapters. Lawmakers heard testimony from The Arc of Florida, which recently launched the End the R-word in Florida campaign. George King, from Fort Pierce, whose 19-year-old son George has Down Syndrome, shared a story with legislators that recently happened to him at a local fair involving the use of the word “retard.” A total of 20 representatives have now signed on to co-sponsor House Bill 1119 with Rep. Janet Adkins. Senate Bill 142, the companion bill sponsored by Sen. Thad Altman, will be heard in the Senate Criminal Justice committee on Monday.
All About Branding Q: Are you sending chapters new logo artwork with a registration mark? A: Yes, we are updating everyone’s artwork from a TM (trademark) to a registration mark. But, we cannot do it all at once, so we are staggering it month by month. When it is your turn, you will receive an email directing you to the new files. Questions? E-mail Amberley at romo@thearc.org.
Congratulations to Amy Mizcles, LMSW, who has been named to serve as executive director of The Arc of Texas.
Welcome to Lifeworks in Washington and Hillcroft Services in Indiana who are the newest additions to The Arc’s chapter network!
April 18: CareerBuilder, Chicago, corporate outreach meeting
May 17: The Arc Audi Racing Team, Austin, TX
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. Under “Chapter Involvement,” please be sure to select “Employee of a Chapter.” Within 24 hours you will have access to the “For Chapters” section of the website. If you do not want to receive Fusion, please e-mail us with the words “Unsubscribe from Fusion” in the subject line.
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
