Sara, Maria, Lynne & Billy from our KFICCC team spent an evening in Annapolis advocating for community-based child care programs. These programs fill a huge need, and yet costs are rising faster than employers and families can keep up. We visited with our elected officials to ask for additional funding to support families with young children, and shared some of our success stories.
If you are interested in joining our advocacy team or participating in future advocacy opportunities, please contact Deborah Mark at DeborahM@arcmontmd.org.
Transition Times Welcome DDA Staff!
The February 12 Transition Times workshop will feature three representatives from DDA, who will provide updates on the Community Pathways waiver and more. This special event will be held at The Kennedy Institute/Lone Oak to accommodate more attendees. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Click here for more information.
Be Informed, Be Involved
The 2020 Legislative Session is in full swing and funding is being determined for issues may that impact how you live your life.
To stay on top of issues and track bills as they move through the legislature, follow The Annapolis Insider, The Arc Maryland's weekly legislative update covering key legislation affecting the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and professional supports. Click here for more information.
You Count! Be Counted
The 2020 Census is quickly approaching. It is critical that people with disabilities and their families are counted because the census impacts many vital programs. Census data is used to determine how much money state and local governments get for Medicaid, housing vouchers, SNAP, and education programs. When allotted funds fall short of actual need, services and programs can be cut. Click here to learn more.
CMS Block Grant Guidance Released
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released new guidance allowing states to cap their federal Medicaid funding for low-income adults. States would be allowed to restrict eligibility, provide limited health care benefits, reduce access to prescription drugs, impose burdensome work requirements, and make other changes that are detrimental to Medicaid beneficiaries. Many people with disabilities, including people with I/DD, are part of the Medicaid expansion group and could be directly impacted. Click here to learn more.
Opportunity for Advocates
The 2020 Disability Policy Seminar will be held March 23-25 in Washington, DC. This seminar offers the opportunity for passionate advocates, self-advocates, experts, and
professionals in the field to come together and learn about key issues that affect them most. The Arc of the United States co-hosts this conference with seven other national disability organizations. Click here to learn more or register.
Once Upon A (Sensory Friendly) Time
Everyone loves a good story, and the Montgomery County Public Libraries want all children to enjoy story time. Sensory Friendly Storytime is designed for children of all ages who prefer smaller groups due to sensory processing disorders. Storytime will be followed by social playtime with educational toys, and an opportunity for parents to socialize. Participants are encouraged to bring their own noise reduction earmuffs and weighted items. Click here for more information and to register for the program.
Asian American Needs Survey on DD
The UMD Baltimore School of Social Work is conducting a survey to better understand the needs of Asian American parents of children with developmental disabilities in Maryland as they navigate community and clinical services.
The project targets any parent who identifies as Asian or Asian American and has a child under 18 with DD. Surveys are available in English, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Click here for more information.
