Help Us Help Others The weather is slowly hanging onto winter when we are ready for change! I can say the same in the progress of our voices being heard from policymakers in our government. I know last month I asked for help.  I am re-asking this month because the work we do is vital to the people we support.  I invite you to please consider helping us in any way possible . I thank you in advance for this help and look forward to warmer weather and the celebration of our accomplishments! We need help in the following areas: Advocacy, Staffing, Connections, and Fundraising. First, the Human Service Cost of Living Adjustment for the last ten years was taken out of the budget.  The 2019- 2020 State Budget was silent again this year on funding for salary actions for our much deserving staff. We have some staff who has not received a wage increase since 2010. I understand the state fiscal picture has some issues, but our staff are in great need of a wage increase. The BeFair2DirectCare funding was also not included in the state budget.  For details on this and how you can help go to http://www.bfair2directcare.com/ . Get involved, please. We need the voice of everyone: participants, families, staff, board members, and the community at large.  But don’t just like us on Facebook. Please, reach out to your representatives and let them know this funding is essential and critical. You can find your representative at these two links https://nyassembly.gov/mem/ and https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator . Also, please consider joining Providers and us across New York in our rally at the Capitol on March 25 th at Noon .  Second, another way to help is to spread the word that you can join a great workforce that is looking to make a difference. We offer excellent benefits and rewarding work. So send your family and friends to https://www.renarc.org/employment . Or check out our Walk-in Wednesday Schedule. Tell Patrick that Don sent you and be entered for a gift card drawing. Third, the next time you are out spending your money at a local vendor ask them to support The Arc of Rensselaer County and help connect us to the vendors that are willing to donate something to our Evening On The Lake, Elegant Appetizers, Art, and Auctions event June 26, 2019 .  If you can do this call Lisa in the Development Office at 518-274-3110 x3028 or email us at [email protected]. Let us know what vendors you spoke to and, we can follow up with a letter or phone call. Please ask for gift cards, and/or merchandise. Anything is appreciated. Let them know that the net proceeds from all our fundraising events go directly back to our 2019 Direct Support Professional Fund.  Fourth, the 2019 Direct Support Professional (DSP) Fund is now accepting donations. You can make your contributions online at https://www.renarc.org/donate/dsp-support-fund , or mail checks to us at The Arc of Rensselaer County 79 102 nd St, Troy NY 12180. We have many events already scheduled and more coming soon. Please support them. Fifth, become a member of the Arc of Rensselaer County. It's as simple as paying a minimal annual dues fee! By becoming a member, you are saying that you support the Arc and what we do! The greater our numbers the greater our representation in government as well. Go to our website www.renarc.org for more information Thank you for considering one or all of my requests. If you are interested in helping in some other area, I didn’t mention then email me at [email protected] , and we can connect. Donald J. Mullin, CEO

CEO, Don Mullin, and sales manager for Riverside Enterprises, Joe Starzyk, appeared on Schenectady Today on February 26, 2019, to discuss our up and coming event "Play With Your Food". Joe has been an employee at the Rensselaer County Arc for 32 years. What you may not know about Joe is that he is an award-winning playwright and owner of Starzyk Play Productions. For this year "Play With Your Food" event Joe wrote and will be per forming in 3 hilarious one- act plays along with actors Mary Daigneault, Bill Douglas, Jake Fisch, Kelsy Nevins. The names of each play are as follows: The Blind Date : Dave goes on a blind date hoping to meet the woman of his dreams, but it turns out to be something he never expected.   Another Day in Paradise : The real story of the Garden of Eden.   Infesting the Mob : Two mobsters afternoon espresso’s are interrupted by the presence of a sinister stranger.

THANK YOU TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT SPONSORED OUR "PLAY WITH YOUR FOOD" EVENT

Special Needs Trusts: When and How to Establish a Third Party Trust By: NYSARC Trust Services People with special needs live long happy lives, often past our own. When planning for the future of a loved one, a special needs trust can play a critical role in your child’s financial future while helping to provide the best quality of life possible. As a parent or relative of a person with I/DD, you want a way to leave an inheritance to your loved one without putting their benefits at risk. The best way to do this is to put a special needs trust in your Will. You can also create and fund a special needs trust during your lifetime, if you or another relative has money available now to set aside for your loved one with I/DD. Meet with an attorney as early as possible to create an estate plan that ensures any inheritance that is intended for your loved one with I/DD will go to a special needs trust. Upon your death, the proceeds from your estate and other assets will fund the trust as directed in your Will. Even if you do not think you will have a lot of money, you may have real property, a life insurance policy, or other assets for example, that could fund the trust. Even a small direct inheritance to your loved one could reduce the benefits they are receiving.  Step 1: Consult with an attorney who specializes in Special Needs and/or Estate Planning who will draft a trust document for use during your lifetime or inclusion in your Will. You need three parties to establish a special needs trust:         * Donor/Grantor – person who funds the trust         * Beneficiary – person who benefits from the trust       * Trustee – person or entity who administers the trust Step 2: Select a trustee to manage the funds in the trust. Many choose a responsible family member who is willing and able to administer the trust appropriately. An experienced professional trustee that understands government benefit rules, such as a bank or not-for-profit entity, can also be a great option depending on your situation. Step 3: Inform your family. Once you have set up a trust for your loved one, be sure to let others in your family know to leave any inheritance or monetary gifts to the trust to avoid any impact to your loved one’s benefit eligibility. Do you have questions? To learn more, contact NYSARC Trust Services at (518) 439-8323 or visit www.nysarctrustservices.org. NYSARC Trust Services has administered supplemental needs trusts since 1972, helping thousands of people protect their eligibility for benefits and improve their quality of life.

Join the Statewide Rally March 25!  We've been mobilizing regionally; now it's time to show our collective force! We're calling all families, self-advocates, DSPs, and supporters from Nassau to Niagara to join together in a massive statewide rally! We're aiming to flood the capitol with voices from around the state on Monday, March 25 noon to call on New York to #bFair2DirectCare. Save the date and spread the word! More Voices More Power

From The Desk Of Stephen Roberts

I Have A Dream MLK Jr. Civil right leader Dr. Martin Luther King fought for more than 54 million America’s who have one or more disabilities. Dr. King accomplished more than most of us will ever achieve, breaking down barriers between races and stereotypes. Resulting from Dr. King’s extraordinary efforts in the civil right moment, the American with disabilities act (ADA) was signed on July 26, 1990. Equal opportunities should be available to all shapes sizes, ethnicity, disabled or able-bodied. As a self-advocate I have a dream to be in a relationship and to get married, to become a writer of many books, and live as any other American. The disability right movement, to this day, can still be promoted and fought for by people with and without disabilities. Dr. King did his part by spreading awareness of the status and treatment of people with disabilities. Other people with disabilities have different dreams. All people have dreams. Let’s fight for those dreams by keeping up the fight that Martin Luther King started 90 years ago. Link to Additional Resource

The Arc of Rensselaer County has been challenged by Schenectady ARC, Fulton County, Lexington, Warren Washington and Saratoga bridges to a Lip Sync Battle!!  CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!!!!  We are asking all employees and individuals who receive ARC services to be a part of our music video!! Come join the fun and let the world see how awesome you all truly are!!!  #ARCSYNC

The Folks of the Arc Dance The Night Away! Thank you to the Italian Community Center for the use of the hall! Thank you DSP staff for all you do to make this a memorable night for all!

For employment follow this link https://www.renarc.org/index.php/employment

Kudos to you Robert Wright We are proud of the great work that Robert Wright has done and the display at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center was awesome. There was a large crowd from Rensselaer County and beyond to see the brilliant photos. Kudos to you and your beautiful photos, Robert. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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