Connecting Families
1. BRING THE ABLE ACT TO CONNECTICUT! All Week — Send in testimony to support HB 7038 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TAX-FREE ACCOUNTS TO PROVIDE FOR DISABILITY RELATED EXPENSES PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL ABLE ACT.
Thank you to Representative Gail Lavielle for her advocacy and for raising this important bill! CT families will be able to take advantage of the ABLE Act to establish tax-free accounts to pay disability related expenses!
Send testimony to fintestimony@cga.ct.gov testimony can submitted today and throughout the week.
2. Wednesday, April 8 — #People Matter Press Conference – 10:30 am – Legislative Office Building, Room 2C
Nonprofit providers will be joined by legislators, self-advocates, families and labor unions at a press conference to kick-off lobby day under the umbrella message that People Matter. The goal of this event, and the #PeopleMatter coalition, is to ensure that nonprofit programs and services are priorities included in the Appropriations Committee’s Recommended Budget.
#PeopleMatter is a coalition of nonprofit providers including, but not limited to The CT Community Providers Association (CCPA), CT Nonprofits,The Arc Connecticut, NAMI CT, Oak Hill School, CT Council of Family Service Agencies, HARC, 1199/SEIU, 1199/OFCW and others.
3. Thursday, April 9 — Defining the Path: A Discussion with National Policy Expert Allan Bergman – 9:30am – 1:30pm – Beth El Temple, 2626 Albany Avenue, West Hartford (morning coffee and lunch provided with RSVP)
- Why is CT, once considered a leader in providing services for people with I/DD, falling behind?
- How are other states expanding services while also dealing with budget issues.
- How can Connecticut, like other states, close institutions in a way that expands services and takes care of the needs of all involved?
- How can we push our leaders to properly fund services and stop balancing the budget on the backs of people with I/DD?
RSVP to Donna Devin, Program Assistant, CT Council on Developmental Disabilities at 860-418-8737 or donna.devin@ct.gov
This event is presented by The Arc Connecticut Families for Families, The Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities and the University of Connecticut Centers of Excellence.
4. April 9 — Newtown Family Forum – 6:30pm-8:00pm – CH Booth Library Community Room, 25 Main St., Newtown
Families of people with I/DD are still reeling from the drastic cuts in services in the Governor’s proposed budget including:
- No funding for Day supports for new high school graduates
- 60% cut to the Voluntary Services Program (VSP)
- Cuts to in Respite funding
The Arc is co-sponsoring a community forum with I/DD Caucus members Senator Hwang and Representative Bolinsky for families to ask questions, talk about how the cuts will impact their loved ones and to make a plan stop the cuts.
SAVE THE DATE! #People Matter Coalition Rally – May 7