Last Friday, Peter Berns, CEO, The Arc of the United States met with Vice President
Joe Biden and other disability advocates at the White House!
Peter Berns at the head of the table.
Saturday, The Arc Board of Director met and hosted a reception for our two newest
board members, Meg Cooch and Bob Okazaki. Congrats to Meg and Bob!
The board meeting itself focused on Task Force Reports and recommendations on:
ü Managed Care
ü Family Leadership
ü Employment First
ü Integrated Community Supports
ü Rebalancing
After much discussion the board recommended that our Task Force on Managed Care also
follow the development of the new 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver.
Today I am meeting with Shirley Perez, Executive Director of the Family Support Network
to discuss flexible day services. After that meeting, I have the pleasure of meeting with
Nancy Webster, President of The Arc of the United States!
Tomorrow I head to the Capitol for the Speak Up and Speak Out Summit funded by the
Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Summit is sold out once again and is
the premier event for self-advocates in Illinois and I believe the nation! The Summit agenda
reads like a who’s who in Illinois Disability Advocacy. Featured presentations include Anthony
& Nicholas Billups: Special; Tim Harris: If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It; Director
Kevin Casey and Court Monitor Tony Records. On Wednesday morning the Going
Home Session, Governor Pat Quinn will join us!! Should be a great time for all!
Wednesday is supposed to be the release of the “concept paper” on the new 1115 Medicaid Transformation Waiver. Click on to this link for the concept paper. States 1115 Waiver Page
You should now ask your State Representative and your State Senator to become a co-sponsor of important wage legislation to increase wages for direct support staff. Senate Bill 2604 has been introduced by Senator Steans and House Bill 3698 has been introduced by Representative Gabel.
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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
