 Fall 2019 Newsletter
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2019 Legislative Forum
On Tuesday October 8th, 2019, Arc of the New River Valley was excited to host our biennial Legislative Forum at Montgomery County Government Center in Christiansburg, VA. Many members of our local community advocated for disability rights and concerns about community-based services. The Arc of NRV would like to thank our community members for sharing their valued stories as well as the eight legislators who attended the event and listened diligently to our voices: Del. Nick Rush, Del. Chris Hurst, Sen. John Edwards, Sen. David Suetterlein, Ms. Flo Ketner, Ms. Rhonda Seltz, and Ms. Darlene Lewis. The first 1.5hrs of the event was spent having community members speak to the need for Medicaid waivers, inclusive education, quality services and service provider pay. During the last half hour, the candidates took time to ask questions and to respond to the remarks from community members. We had a fantastic turnout that left all of us excited for continued work to change and better our community. We thank you to all who attended and hope to see everyone in January as we carpool to advocate in Richmond on Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Day!
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Arc of VA Legislative Priorities for 2020
Legislative Priority #1 for the Arc of VA and for all the local chapters of the Arc including the Arc of the New River Valley is to have the Medicaid Waiver Priority 1 waitlist fully funded in 2020—yes, fund waivers for all 3000 plus individuals currently on the Priority 1 waitlist. The Medicaid Waiver Program is the funding source for providing community-based services to people with developmental disabilities.
People qualify for Priority 1 status if they are in danger of becoming homeless, due to the deteriorating health or death of their caregiver, and significant behavioral and medical reasons. Simply put, they are in crisis.
The General Assembly’s last budget funded only 900 of the needed 3000 Priority 1 waivers. Only 900 of the 3000 people who are experiencing very dire circumstances received any help. In the New River Valley, there are 286 people on the waiting list with 86 of those people on the Priority 1 list. Last year, the New River Valley received 21 waiver slots. Over 75% of the people in our community who desperately need services provided by waiver dollars received a waiver.
This chronic under-funding of community-based supports and services for people with disabilities must stop. Investing in services for our most vulnerable citizens is not only a fiscally sound investment, it is an ethical and moral imperative. Download Legislative Priorities as a pdf.
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Please contact your legislators in the VA House and Senate and tell them you want them to fully fund the Priority 1 waiting list for people with developmental disabilities. Go here to find contact information for you legislator: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov
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We're heading to Richmond on January 21st to advocate for Disability rights! Join us: Contact Chris Cadwallader 540-239-4911 or cadwallader01@comcast.net
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We have reserved a 14 passenger bus, 7 spots are taken already, the bus is free, departs 6am and returns 6pm. Seating is very limited so call to reserve your seat as soon as possible.
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Arc of Virginia 2019 State Convention
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The Arc of Virginia held its annual state convention in Harrisonburg on July 29 through 31.
The convention theme was “Together We Can Move Mountains.”
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The convention sessions included sessions on person-centered planning, behavior supports, inclusive schools, accessing waiver services, creating community and strategies for building alliance among self-advocates.
Three of our board members attended the conference and participated in a session by Radford University’s Inclusive Practices Center. Dr. Liz Altieri and her colleagues are developing a set of advocacy materials for parents and other advocates to present to local school boards and Special Education Advisory Boards to promote inclusive schooling. Once the materials are developed, training sessions will be held to help advocates learn to use the materials effectively.
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The Catalyst for Change Award is given annually by the Arc of Virginia to individuals to honor their efforts on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families. Two of this year’s recipients live here in the New River Valley.
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Chris Cadwallader was honored for her years of work for inclusive schools in the public school setting and with the Arc of Virginia statewide advocacy for inclusive schools. David Pitonyak has dedicated his professional life to assisting people with significant disabilities to live successfully in their communities. David has helped so many people and organizations to change their fundamental beliefs about being with and supporting people who experience disabilities. In so doing he has helped to transform their lives, as well as the lives of their families and their loved ones.
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ABLEnow Presentation
The Arc of the New River Valley sponsors information sharing events throughout the calendar year in an effort to inform our community of important and current topics related to people with disabilities. The Arc of the New River Valley welcomed ABLE-now Marketing Associate Gabriella Barnes to the Blacksburg Public Library, October 4th, 2019.
The Virginia’s tax advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities named ABLE accounts are made possible by the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which authorized states to establish tax-advantaged ABLE savings programs.
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Gabriella explained how the ABLE accounts allow individuals to save for today’s needs or invest for tomorrow in a simple, affordable and tax advantaged account that won’t impact certain disability benefits.
The many aspects of contributions, withdrawals, and ease of use of the ABLE card were also discussed as well as qualified disability expenses and investment opportunities. Many thanks to all who attended to make this session informational and inspiring. The Arc of the New River Valley wishes to thank Blacksburg Public Library staff for their community room venue and help.
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EFFORT DAY
EFFORT DAY (Enabling Friends For Our First Response Teams) was held on June 22nd at Christiansburg Recreation Center. This annual event is sponsored by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and County Fire and Rescue departments. It's a day of games, an obstacle course and free food and drinks. Outside was a display of police, fire and rescue vehicles. As in the past, the Arc of NRV had a resource table.
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This is a fun event, but it serves a dual purpose. It teaches First Responders important skills for interacting with individuals with disabilities to reduce stress and trauma in an emergency situation. It also familiarizes those individuals with the First Responders, so they are comfortable interacting, even in an emergency situation.
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Join us for cookies, songs, and fun! Next Sunday, December 8, 2019, 4-6 pm at Blacksburg Christian Church, 240 Watson St, Blacksburg, VA 24060.
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