January 2025

MASS Flash Newsletter

Happy New Year everyone! We hope you had a safe and fun holiday season with your loved ones! Here's to a new year of self advocacy and opportunity!

Awareness & Action at CRLS

In December 2024, we had the opportunity to teach our newly updated Awareness & Action (A&A) course to over 20 students with I/DD across three training sessions at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School.

It was such a great opportunity to teach these students how to recognize, report, and respond to abuse. We're so excited to continue rolling out this training in 2025!

Interested in requesting a training? Click here to fill out the training request form: https://www.wearemass.org/trainings

2025 SARTAC Fellowship Program

The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center is now taking applications for their 1-year fellowship program, which will give $5,000 to one self advocate toward a project that would help them grow their skills as a leader.

ICI (Institute of Community Inclusion) at UMass Boston has offered to be a Host for this, to help facilitate the completion of your project if you are selected!

The deadline to apply is January 31, 2025.

MDDC 2025 - 2026

Legislative Priorities Survey

What is the MDDC? The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is funded by the federal government to support people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families across Massachusetts to enjoy full and productive lives by promoting community inclusion and providing opportunities.

Every 2 years, MDDC creates a “Priority Legislation” list. They meet with policymakers and provide testimony to educate MA state government about the impact the bills could have on the I/DD community.

Complete the survey by clicking the link below. Share your input to decide what topics and policies should be covered in the next Priority Legislation list.

Need help completing the MDDC survey?

If you have questions about this survey or have any problems, you can reach out to Kaitlin Stober, MDDC Disability Policy Assistant by email: Kaitlin.Stober@mass.gov. You can also leave a voicemail at 617.770.7676, extension 105 with your questions!

Kaitlin is also available to help people fill out the survey. She is available to meet by phone, over Zoom or in person and can help read the questions or click on your answers.

Kamisha's Corner

“You see all my light, and you love all my dark.”- Anonymous

No matter what you’re feeling, it's valid, and the people who don’t respect that don’t need to be in your orbit. There's something that says, “if you can’t accept me at my worst you don’t deserve me at my best”. Everybody has their own good days and bad days. That is a part of life. 

If you are a true friend you would love the person regardless of what is happening.

Upcoming Meetings and Events

January

22

Statewide Drop-in (link)

There will be a second Statewide Drop-in via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

4:30pm - 6:00pm.

January

23

MA Health and Disability Partnership Meeting (link)

The MA Health and Disability Partnership is a group of people with disabilities and other people who care about the health of people with disabilities. It helps advise the state Health and Disability Program and other programs in the Department of Public Health. It also helps people with disabilities stay up to date on important health issues. via Zoom on Friday from

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

January

31

SDM Task Force

Join the Supported Decision Making Task Force meeting via Zoom on the last Friday of the month from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM.

Regional and Rainbow Updates

CENTRAL

REGION

Regional Meeting: Tuesday, Jan 14 from 3:30pm - 5:00pm

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-109

SOUTHEAST

REGION

Regional Meeting: Wednesday, Jan 15 from 4:00pm - 5:30pm

https://www.wearemass.org/events/southeast-regional-meeting-46

METRO

REGION

Regional Meeting:

Tuesday, Jan 21 from 4:30pm - 6:00pm



https://www.wearemass.org/events/metro-regional-meeting-57

CENTRAL

REGION

Regional Meeting: Tuesday, Jan 28 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm

https://www.wearemass.org/events/central-regional-meeting-110

NORTHEAST

REGION

Regional Meeting:

Wednesday, Jan 15 from 4:00pm - 5:30pm



https://www.wearemass.org/events/northeast-regional-meeting-71

RAINBOW

GROUP

Rainbow Meeting:

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 from 5:00pm - 7:30pm!

https://www.wearemass.org/events/rainbow-group-meeting-71

We want to hear from you!