It has been a time of great change for The Arc of the United States. Already the preeminent and most respected voice for people with disabilities and their families in the nation’s capital, The Arc has launched efforts to strengthen its connection to its chapters, self-advocates, and families throughout the country.

A search is underway for a new national executive director. With the leadership of Mary Jordan, President of The Arc, there is a renewed excitement about the future for The Arc and they are seeking the right leader to move us to the next level of effectiveness in our mission. We are very fortunate that long-time state executive director John Foley of New Mexico has stepped in and is working as the Acting Executive Director at the national headquarters. His efforts in reorganizing the office area already having an effect in making it more in touch and responsive to our members and chapters. One very visible change he made was scrapping the automated answering service that many leaders and parents found frustrating and worked with one of our local chapters to hire a young man who is doing a marvelous job answering the phone. The Board’s goal is to have a new executive director hired by May. In the meantime the tremendous advocacy of our Governmental Affairs team is representing you on Capital Hill and with the federal government every day on issues from education, healthcare, community services, housing and much more. Visit The Arc web site at www.thearc.org for more information and sign up for our legislative action center.

The second major initiative is coming out of the task force that I was asked to participate in last year. An unprecedented effort has been started to bring together leaders in The Arc with expert national consultants to address critical issues around outreach, participation and governance at the national level. An RFP was issued in January and it will be funded by March in an effort to study what we need to do to strengthen The Arc as a movement and focus the efforts of the national headquarters to make that happen. At a recent meeting of our state executive directors there was great support for this effort.

At that same meeting of state executive directors with John Foley, we had 25 states represented from New York to California. As we went around the room and talked about what was happening in our own states, I was very proud to be part of The Arc. Without a doubt, there is no other organization doing more to promote self-advocacy and family empowerment; address the waiting list, bring significant support in new an innovative ways to families and individuals.

The Arc while facing some challenges is a strong and vibrant force for good and with new ideas and new leadership there are great things in our future. Thank you for making this great national movement possible through your support.



Welcome to the New Year
Friday, December 28, 2007

As we end 2007, it is appropriate to say thank you to the people that make all of what we do at The Arc of Indiana and The Arc of United States possible. For people with developmental disabilities of all ages and their families; The Arc is there for them and you make that possible.

We have so much to be thankful for and so much to look forward to for 2008. Thank you and God Bless


Indiana Special Education Pioneer Passes
Thursday, December 20, 2007

From its beginning in the early 70’s the conception, direction and implementation of an education for all Hoosier children with disabilities was led by a fierce yet diplomatic advocate, Amy Cook-Lurvey. She was there at the beginning of mandatory special education in the early 70's, bringing together all parties under the COVOH banner to bridge the gaps in understanding and funding for this critical endeavor.

Over the years she was the one recognizable leader at the statehouse and with our federal delegation that stood for kids with disabilities. Her impact was shown when in a meeting with Senator Richard Lugar, he asked me, “John what does Amy think about this?” No last name was needed. When you mentioned Amy in business circles, education circles or advocacy circles people knew her and respected her.

Over the last several years with her health failing, she still managed to work the phones when needed and help wherever she could. In the last week before her death, she had called Kim Dodson at The Arc of Indiana to offer help and encouragement with an issue.

Amy will long be remembered by people who sat across the aisle, who sat across the school bargaining tables, and who saw most things differently. She proved, and her legacy remains that our issues are not political but practical and we must work with all to create a better Indiana. Amy will be missed by many, including the thousands of friends she had yet to meet, whose lives were touched by her efforts.




1,401
Monday, November 26, 2007

One thousand four hundred and one. That's the number of people who have been targeted and begun the process of getting waiver services since FSSA announced the new waiting list iniative last September. A 14% increase in the total number of people served on the waivers. Over the next 8 months, the goal is to add another 1,600 people to services or 200 per month.

These folks, over 3,000 of them, will have this opportunity because of the work of so many:

-- The people who led the way in transition from institutional funding to community services,

-- The Governor and legislators of both parties who commmitteed to keeping institutional funding in the system, and

-- Each of you that supported The Arc in its advocacy to address the waiting list.

Three thousand people - tremendous growth. But it all comes down to making the system work one person at a time. We are working with FSSA, IPMG the case management entity, INARF and Indiana Association of Behavioral Consultants to make the system as consumer friendly as possible. The data coming from IPMG has helped tremendously as we see where people are at in the process.

Let's celebrate 3,000 people getting help while we keep telling people our story about those still waiting.



Volunteer named Indy's Best and Brightest
Monday, October 01, 2007