STAY CONNECTED:
November 22, 2017
Happy Thanksgiving from The Arc of Massachusetts 



Thanksgiving offers us the perfect opportunity to reflect on what we all have to be grateful for each year. This year is certainly no different. At The Arc, we have much to be grateful for: our beautiful new building, the progress Turning 22 has made, and the support of each and every one of you.

For more of what I'm thankful for, please watch this video.

Thanksgiving 2017: What Leo's Thankful For This Year
Thanksgiving 2017: What Leo's Thankful For This Year

Warmest wishes for a wonderful start to the holiday season.

Sincerely,
Leo V. Sarkissian
Executive Director  
FEATURED Featured
The Becker Trust Grants for Innovation
The Trustees and Advisors of the Becker Family Trust, in conjunction with the Becker Center for Advocacy, invite you to submit a grant proposal. $1,000,000 in grants will be distributed to agencies serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, with four grants of $200,000 and ten grants of $20,000. T rust grant geographical criteria is the Commonwealth of Massachusetts only or a region therein.
 
Projects and programs should demonstrate high impact with innovative features. The focus areas to be considered may include social inclusion; self determination; employment; assistive technology; and supported/shared living.
 
Grant proposals are due Wednesday, December 6, 2017 - no exceptions.
Grant Awards will be announced in March at a public event.
 
Congratulations to The Winners of The Arc Tank!
On November 15, 2017, The Northeast Arc and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation hosted The Arc Tank, a competition awarding a total of $200,000 in prizes for the most impressive and innovative ideas regarding improving the lives of those with disabilities and their support systems.


1. Center for Public Representation
"Disrupting the Guardianship Pipeline," $85,000

2. University of Massachusetts Medical School
"Pathways to Inclusive Healthcare,"  $80,000

3. YMCA of the North Shore
"Y's Water Wise,"  $30,000

Outside the Tank
Andrew Holmes: $2,500
Nathaniel Lorenz-Galdamez: $2,500
WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS Workshops
Sharing Your Story: Legislative Advocacy
Tuesday, November 28, 2017 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Family Support Center, 30-40 Audubon Road, Wakefield, MA 01880

Julie Heffernan, an Advocacy Alliance Coordinator from The Arc of Massachusetts, will be presenting at EMARC's Family Support Center about the priorities for the upcoming state budget. Julie will also be talking about the legislative process and how the story of your family can help with advocacy efforts. Please join us as we plan for the legislative year ahead.

RSVP: Paula Thompson at 781-587-2316 or pthompson@theemarc.org.
Leo on Facebook Live!
Don't miss Leo Sarkissian on Facebook,  Wednesday,  November 29 at 12:00 PM ! Leo will outline five points on what is happening with Mass Health Reform.

Stay tuned to our Facebook page next week for more information on the subjects he'll be covering and details on how to take part in the broadcast session.
Health Insurance for Adults with Autism Webinar
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 
Presented by Terri Farrell, Project Director 
Autism Insurance Resource Center
 
The topic of this webinar is Health Insurance for Adults with Autism. Items to be covered include p rivate and public coverage options; accessing autism treatments; keeping a dependent on a parent's policy; ARICA and Employer-Sponsored Insurance (ESI); The Health Connector; and MassHealth premium assistance.

To register, email Audrey.Huntley@umassmed.edu. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join the webinar.
 
Mass Health Updates Webinar
Mass Health Innovations: What You NEED To Know About the Changes 
Thursday, December 7, 2017 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented by Leo Sarkissian, Executive Director, The Arc of Massachusetts
FREE thanks to the Becker Family Foundation
 
Implementation of health care reform will have a significant impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), autism, and brain injuries. Leo will provide participants with up to date changes and developments in managed care and Mass Health and what the impact is on physical and behavioral health and long-term supports and services. Register today!
Transition to Adult Services Webinar
What Educators and School Administrators Need to Know
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 | 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Presented by Pat Pakos and Kerry Mahoney, The Arc of Massachusetts
Registration fee: $40

The transition of students leaving their schools can be difficult for themselves and their families. Educators and School Administrators can be helpful in making this transition seamless.  Participants will learn:  What are the basics to know about this transition?  What are the available services?  How are they organized?  What can Educators and School Administrators do to help? Register today!
WHAT'S TRENDING Whatstrending
Giving Tuesday Is Almost Here!
As you enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday and Black Friday shopping, don't forget that Giving Tuesday 2017 is just around the corner! Stay tuned for further updates from The Arc of Massachusetts the closer we get to the big day.


For more information on giving, check out our newly-redesigned Ways To Give page.
November is Caregiver Awareness Month!

November is National Family Caregivers Month - a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. Celebrating Family Caregivers during NFC month enables all of us to:
  • Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
  • Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
  • Educate family caregivers about self-identification
  • Increase support for family caregivers
For more information about this annual observance, visit caregiveraction.org/national-family-caregivers-month.


Tell us what being a caregiver means to you! Do you know someone who is a caregiver that you would like to recognize? Email your story and photo to Kerry at Mahoney@arcmass.org. All entries will be entered into a raffle to win a gift card!
Advocate Fall 2017 Is Here!








The Fall 2017 edition of  Advocate  is now here! If you're a subscriber, be sure to look for it in your mailboxes soon. A digital copy of this edition may be found here via Issuu.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT sponsorspotlight
The Arc of Massachusetts | 781-891-6270 | thearcofmass.org