Arc Policy and Advocacy Update

* Give us your ideas! Help the Arc Craft 2018 Legislative Agenda!

* Still Time Left to Share Your Story of Person Centered Planning Survey
For Individuals and Families: Here is the link.  For ISCs, service providers and other professionals: Here is the link.

* Families with Kids on Medicaid:  We Need to Hear From You:  Survey

* NEW Registration –  Dec 7 Future Planning with Aging Parents. Check out more detail below or click this here.

Here are some of the highlights and calls to action for this week.  For the latest news, please like us on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

 

 

State Policy and Advocacy

Veto Session – this week!

2017 Legislative Summary
Thanks to Phil Milsk, the Arc’s lobbyist for doing a 2017 legislative summary of the highlights from the session and looking to veto session.   Check it out here.

House and Senate Pass Resolutions Supporting DSPs
the House Speaker passed HR605 (Rep. Gabel as lead sponsor) on Wednesday for DSP Week notification.  The Senate passed Resolution (SR904; Sponsor President John Cullerton).  Here is a brief summary.

Never Too Late to Say Big Thank You!
As you know, the State budget that passed in July included a badly-needed wage increase for direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It also included funding for The Autism Program, Life Span, Best Buddies and the Epilepsy Foundation.

Though 75-cents-per-hour isn’t all we hoped for, achieving the first DSP wage increase in nine years would not have been possible without your support and all of the emails and calls to State legislators that kept this issue front and center.

The DSP wage increase was implemented by the State this week. After a delay by the State, the new funding has now arrived at provider agencies, and DSPs are finally seeing in their paychecks the results of what we worked hard for earlier this year.

Please take a moment to thank your State legislators who voted to pass a budget that included the DSP wage increase. CLICK HERE to find out which of your legislators stood with us, send them an email message and look up their phone numbers. We will be counting on them in the spring and in coming years to keep making progress towards a livable and competitive DSP wage.

You can also thank legislators for supporting DDD grants!

 

 

Federal Advocacy

President Trump Announces Emergency and Calls Resources to Address Opioid Crisis
Among other things, President Trumps has indicated that Medicaid will allow states to waive the requirement that to get Medicaid reimbursment, treatment centers must be 16 beds or less.

The Commission’s Report: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm1rd10qlyrs7ru/commission-interim-report%20%282%29.pdf?dl=0

Congress Quietly Passes a Budget Outline with $1.8 Trillion in Cuts to Healthcare

 

 

Resources

NEW! For Human Services Professionals & Family Advocates!

The Arc of Illinois and The Arc of the United States are offering a free training to help you build skills in future planning.  Learn how to support aging caregivers in planning for the future of their son or daughter with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD). CEUs are available.  We ask that those participating will be willing to talk with at least 3 individuals about future planning and report back about your experience on a brief form.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2017
TO REGISTER VISIT: http://bit.ly/2y7sg94 or scan the QR code on the flier.
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: Monday, December 6, 2017
Registration and a light breakfast will start at 8:45 am.The training is from 9:15 am–5:00 pm.

A stipend will be provided to the first 30 participants.  Contact Meg Cooch at meg@thearcofil.org with
questions or to inquire about registration.

Check out the flier with registration link.

 

 

Important Dates!

  • October 30-November 1 – Speak Up Speak Out, Springfield
  • November 8 – Executive Forum
  • December 7 – Tentative Future Planning Training
  • Feb 1-2 – Arc Leadership Conference