| |
Letter from the CEO |
Peter V. Berns
CEO of The Arc |
Innovation in Health Care
First, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, a quick thank you for all you do for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and for The Arc. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and are rested and recharged. But now, on to the matter at hand. This month, I am on a search to learn more about what chapters of The Arc are doing to address the challenges people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) experience in the health care delivery system. It seems that the federal government is interested in identifying and investing in program models that “hold the promise of delivering… better health, better health care and lower costs through improved quality” for Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. From our Chapter Profile survey we know that 78% of chapters responding reported that they engage in individual advocacy for people with I/DD on health care access and treatment issues, while 65% reported they educate people to advocate for themselves. Three percent (3%) of chapters responding reported that they operate primary care clinics; 3% report operating dental clinics. So what have you learned? Have you found the key to helping people with I/DD achieve better health, better health care and lower costs? Are there program models worth replicating? Please let us know by email to berns@thearc.org, with a copy to caldwell@thearc.org. We look forward to hearing about the great work you are doing to address the health disparities facing our community. |
| |
Resources & Opportunities |
 |
Turn a Car Donation Program into a Cash Cow
There couldn’t be an easier way to earn cash for your chapter than with The Arc’s Car Donation Program. Now, here’s a free webinarto help you get started or energize a dormant program. Join Ron Farrin of Melwood Charity Car Auctions and Greg Rue, Facilities Manager of The Arc Greater Twin Cities Value Village Thrift Store and Donation Center to learn the secrets to a successful car donation program on December 6 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. EST. We’ll give you a brief overview of how the program works for those who are not familiar, then dig in to the nuts and bolts of turning cars into cash with the perspective of a chapter with a profitable program in place and marketing and promotion advice from the director of the nonprofit organization The Arc partners with nationwide. |
 |
And, Don’t Miss These Webinars – Still Time to Register
Have you signed up yet to learn how The Arc has successfully engaged advocates and chapters in grassroots campaigns such as “Don’t Cut Our Lifeline!” and how we’re planning to ramp up 2012 election participation. How far can we actually go as a nonpartisan nonprofit? Join Ralph Scott, Community Organizer/Campaign Manager and Dee Dee Eberle, Director, Chapter Organizing & Advocacy on December 8 at 2:00 p.m. EST to dispel myths and get important information on how The Arc can—and should!—be actively involved in advocacy and lobbying that benefits people with I/DD and their families. Register now!
Start 2012 off right with a rock solid plan to strengthen your board. Learn what your board should be doing, how to put policies in place, and ramp up your recruitment efforts. This session will give you the tools you need to work with your current board and build the board you really want. Give your chapter the lift it needs to move into 2012 strong. This Webinar opportunity on December 15 at 1:00 p.m. EST will be presented by Steve Morgan, of The Arc Baltimore, and by a board member who can give you the inside scoop. Register today! |
 |
AAPD Looking for Summer Interns
Each summer, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) hosts a summer internship program in Washington, DC for students with all types of disabilities. AAPD’s Summer Internship Program offers college students, law students, graduate students, and recent graduates with disabilities the opportunity to work in public service for ten weeks on Capitol Hill, at federal agencies, nonprofits and for-profit businesses. This ten week experience gives interns the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience in the workforce. Interns receive a living stipend, expenses covered for travel to and from DC, and fully-accessible housing. Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST on or before January 6, 2012. Apply at aapd.com/internshipor get more information at 202-521-4306 or internship@aapd.com. |
 |
U.S. Department of Labor Launches Integrated Employment Toolkit
The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy has launched an Integrated Employment Toolkiton its website offering practical information on how individuals, community employment agencies, policymakers and others can pursue integrated employment as the desired employment goal for youth and adults with disabilities. Check it out on the Department of Labor website. |
 |
Autism Fact Sheet from the CDC Available in Multiple Languages
A one-page autism fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been translated into many languages, including Arabic, German, Italian, Mandarin, and Vietnamese for those in your community who speak a language other than English. The University of Southern California, Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities translated the fact sheet. For copies and a full list of languages, e-mail Cary Kreutzerat USC. And find more resources from Autism NOW, the National Resource and Information Center at autismnow.org. |
 |
Give the Gift of Increased Financial Safety
The holiday season is a time for laughter, fun and warmth. Sadly, it is also the peak time of year for crime. Statistics show that crime usually increases both during and after the holiday season, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. And people who receive federal benefit payments by paper check could be putting their money at risk of financial crimes. This holiday season, give the people you serve the gift of increased financial safety. Encourage them to protect their federal benefit payments by switching to electronic payments now. A new Holiday Fraud partner tool kit for community-based organizationsand financial institutionsis available for your use during the holiday season. Materials include cut-and-paste copy for newsletters and press releases, tips for social media outreach, fliers and posters plus and educational video you can share. For more information, contact a campaign representative at GoDirect@webershandwick.comor (952) 346-6055. |
| |
News & Action Items |
 |
Member of SAFA Network to Be Honored by White House
Morgan Fawcett, a member of the Self-Advocates with FASD in Action (SAFA) network supported by The Arc and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, will be honored along with ten other Native American youth as “Champions of Change” by the White House. Morgan, who was diagnosed with FASD when he was 15, has organized concerts and events to raise awareness about FASD at schools, hospitals, churches and other organization. A flute program he created has donated more than 650 Native American flutes to at risk youth and challenged individuals in Alaska. For this work, he’ll be recognized for working to better his community. A ceremony honoring Morgan and the other Champions will be aired live this Thursday, December 1 at noon Eastern time at whitehouse.gov/live. |
 |
What Are We Thankful For?
Reflecting over the Thanksgiving holiday, we at The Arc are very thankful for you – our strong national network of more than 700 chapters (and growing!). Without you more than a million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families would not have the services, support and advocacy efforts they need to live their lives to their fullest potential. We’re also thankful for the many chapters who have contributed to the Rebranding Initiative Fundwhich helps The Arc’s national office continue our work in raising awareness of our new brand and providing support and resourcesfor all chapters who are implementing the new brand locally. There’s still time to go online and donate before the end of the year. Designate “Rebranding” for your gift and we’ll be able to continue building recognition of our organization as a national powerhouse among nonprofits. Thank you! |
 |
The Arc is Seeking National Board Members
The Board Development Committee of The Arc is working to identify talented, qualified individuals to serve as board members of The Arc for a term to begin in 2012. Take a look at The Arc’s Board Prospectusdescribing the eligibility criteria and the knowledge, skill and characteristics we are searching for in this nominating cycle. If you know someone that you think meets one or more of our nominating priorities, please tell us with the the online nomination form or encourage them to nominate themselves using the same form. Application review begins in January 2012 with a vote to be held at the 2012 Annual Meeting. Contact Evelyn Powell, Peter Berns, or Mary Jordanwith questions. |
| |
Chapter Focus |
 |
Chapters Share Success Stories Online
In this and upcoming issues of Fusion, The Arc will feature news from Chapters participating in The Arc and Walmart Foundation-funded School-to-Community Transition Initiative. Forty-nine Chapters across the country have been awarded grants specifically to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their communities overcome issues related to transitioning from school to work, higher education or living in the community as an adult. Read about how The Arc of San Francisco Transition Support Program encourages young people to “get their dance on” to build social and networking skills and how The Arc of Northern Virginia structures an educational series on transition to empower people as they navigate new support systems. Get more inspirational stories from other Chapters working on transition issues on our website. |
|
|
|
 
|
Brand Update
We’re almost to 50% of all Chapters of The Arc who have adopted the new brand. Like a rock picking up speed as it rolls down hill, The Arc will increase its awareness in the public eye exponentially as more and more chapters begin using the new brand. And the greater the awareness, the greater the support from donors, volunteers and policymakers. Contact Shelly DeButts today to find out what we can do to help you start using the new brand at debutts@thearc.orgor 202-534-3710. |
| How many Chapters have signed up to use The Arc’s new brand? Find out on our website. |
Have You Checked Out The Blog Lately?
Are you a regular reader of The Arc’s blog? If not, you’re missing heartwarming posts about Achieve with us contest winner Tyler Smothers, a thoughtful post about tuning in to all of the different perspectives that make up The Arc and photos from the ABLE Act introduction on Capitol Hill. Catch up nowand be sure to bookmark us! |
Congratulations!
The Arc welcomes Wilfred Romero as the new executive director of The Arc of Pikes Peak Region (Colorado). |
Where’s Peter?
- December 8: Bank of America Support Services Center and The Arc of Delaware, Wilmington DE
- January 20–21: NCE Board Retreat, Los Angeles, CA
- January 31: The Arc of Connecticut, Hartford, CT
- February 6–8: The Arc of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
|
| Find us on:
|
|
|
