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Someone In Our Corner – by Anne Marie Newell
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Someone In Our Corner – by Anne Marie Newell

Autism, Blog, Blogroll, Stories

Someone In Our Corner – by Anne Marie Newell

My son Matthew's journey started when my son was diagnosed with PDD at 21 months. We were soon thereafter introduced to MARC because we were told that he was entitled to certain therapies at home, including speech, OT and PT too, I believe. These people were frequent visitors in our home to help Matthew bridge the gap in the areas that needed boosting, so they were coming often 2x per week. As you can imagine, the therapists would eventually feel like friends because of the amount of time they spend with you and your child. It is a good thing to have when you are just starting to get used to the "new life" with the impact the diagnosis can have on you as the [...]

By Diana Polec|2018-03-23T11:15:29-04:00March 23rd, 2018|Autism, Blog, Blogroll, Stories|0 Comments

Music Together has made our kiddos little musicians!

Dear Ms. Fran, Ms. Dana & The Arc Alliance: Music Together - Children Enjoying Making Music Music Together has made our kiddos little musicians! “J” (3-5 years and known as “J” in class) and “A” (15 months) have enjoyed music class at The Arc for three semesters and wish each class they grow more excited and confident. I signed on for the first 10-week session while “J” was involved in weekly speech therapy through the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit last September. Her speech was significantly delayed and she was very uncomfortable in larger social settings. “A” was just shy of 6 months when he came along for his first class and dozed through most of it. I am incredibly thankful for the [...]

By Scott|2017-06-26T08:27:51-04:00June 26th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll, Stories|0 Comments

AHCA/Medicaid block grants – potential negative impact

On Wednesday May 17, 2017 Julie Gerhart-Rothholz, participated in a press conference with Senator Casey & Senator Maggie Hassan and an Occupational Therapist to address the AHCA and Medicaid block grants. As a parent and Boar Member of The Arc Alliance, Julie addressed the topic of how AHCA/Medicaid block grants can negatively impact her son Evan. Julie ended the session providing a significant context on this challenging issue. Link to Video It is extremely important for each of us to contact our legislators and tell them the potential impact these proposed changes will have on our loved ones. Join with Julie and let your voice be heard locally, state wide and nationally! Link to find your Legislator

By Scott|2017-05-18T08:38:50-04:00May 18th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll, News & Views, Stories|0 Comments

Paul Stengle’s interview of Nancy Thaler Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs

On April 4th, 2017 Paul Stengle, CEO of The Arc Alliance, interviewed Nancy Thaler, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP), about updates with ODP and the potential impact on individuals and families. Paul Stangle and The Arc Alliance community, thanks Deputy Secretary Thaler, for her willingness to participate and her candid responses in this interview. As you will see there are significant changes taking place and The Arc Alliance is here for you and your family with resources and access to decision makers at each level. Below is the link to the full 27 minute interview. LINK To full interview taped Tuesday April 4th You are also able to view clips of the interview on The Arc Alliance Facebook Page. LINK TO [...]

By Scott|2017-04-05T12:40:23-04:00April 5th, 2017|BCTV shows, Blog, Blogroll, In the news, News & Views|0 Comments

Help Close State Centers for Persons with Developmental Disabilities

Please contact your state representative and ask them to sign on as a cosponsor to Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) memo that requires Department of Human Services (DHS) to develop a plan to close state centers by January 1, 2023. Do you know that Pennsylvania has 5 State Centers for Individuals with Intellectual & developmental disabilities? Thankfully there is a plan in place to close the Hamburg State Center, relocating 80 individuals into the community by 2018/19. However that means our state still has 4 State Centers (Like Pennhurst) in existence housing approximately 800+-individuals! This must end! Help those individuals still segregated and isolated in state centers by contacting your legislator and urging them to sign onto Rep. Kerry Benninghoff's Memo. Below is the link. [...]

By Scott|2017-03-29T11:25:32-04:00March 29th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll|0 Comments

LIGHTS UP SOUND DOWN a sensory friendly movie showing

By Diana Polec|2017-03-24T08:11:32-04:00March 24th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll|1 Comment

ABLE Launch

Eight hundred thousand Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families are about to receive some great news. Pennsylvania officially launches its PA ABLE Savings Program on April 3, 2017 in a HUGE media and legislative event in the Capitol Rotunda at 12:30 p.m. and we need you to be there! On that date, the PA Treasury ABLE program officially begins accepting accounts for enrollment and opens the door on hope for individuals with disabilities and the families who care for those loved ones. Join Treasurer Joe Torsella, U.S. Senator Robert Casey and PA Senator Lisa Baker as ABLE officially opens for business. As a leader who helped Treasury shape and create ABLE, we couldn’t imagine you not being there with us to celebrate the accomplishment [...]

By Diana Polec|2017-03-23T14:45:16-04:00March 23rd, 2017|Blog, Blogroll|0 Comments

Berks County Commissioner, Christian Y. Leinbach Presents Paul Stengle, CEO of The Arc Alliance Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Proclamation for March 2017 Today we are pleased to express our appreciation to the Commissioners of Berks County as County Commissioner, Christian Y. Leinbach provides Paul Stengle with a county proclamation affirming March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. The Arc movement is banding together with its 700+ network of chapters across the nation to mark Developmental Disability (DD) Awareness Month in March. Powered by the energy of self-advocates, families and volunteers around the country, the month will commemorate the progress toward improving the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and stress the challenges that remain in achieving full inclusion for people with I/DD. Nearly a quarter [...]

By Scott|2017-03-13T15:48:44-04:00March 13th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll, Stories|0 Comments

Chandler Balch – Oh the places you may go!

You can click your heels three times, and say there’s no place like home, but after you say that, where will you end up? Today we are going to discuss pros and cons of different living arrangements that you can use to help your young adult live independently. Understand that this is not an exhaustive list but several issues I have discovered. Also remember that each option has both financial and personal freedom costs that each individual and family needs to consider. For example, what’s the level of freedom/independence are you willing to forgo in order to have specific services? These are not easy questions but essential when looking into the future. First things first, before we discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the [...]

By Scott|2017-03-03T10:00:35-05:00March 3rd, 2017|Blog, Blogroll, Chandler Balch, Intellectual & Developmental Awareness Month|0 Comments

Introduction to the National ABLE Alliance — March 2, 2017 – 2:00pm to 3:30pm.

(The following is an excerpt) -- With the recent launch of even more ABLE plans to choose from, the ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC) would like to invite potential ABLE participants, their families, and all other ABLE stakeholders, to attend a free webinar focused on introducing you to the National ABLE Alliance. The webinar, taking place March 2nd from 2:00 – 3:30 PM EST, will focus on various program characteristics including: Learning the enrollment process of each program; Learning the fees associated with each program; Learning the investment opportunities offered with each program; Identifying how those differences may affect which program best meets your specific needs. In order to prepare for the webinar we encourage you to watch these short informative videos on ABLE [...]

By Scott|2017-02-27T08:53:52-05:00February 27th, 2017|Blog, Blogroll|0 Comments

Someone In Our Corner – by Anne Marie Newell

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