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Advocacy News

New Federal Guidance on School Discipline

The Department of Education, Office for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released their long-anticipated Discipline Guidance Package in July, 2022. The guidance documents provide information and clarity on school-based discipline processes including: restraint and seclusion, informal removals, threat/risk assessments, and interactions with law enforcement and how those […]

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Advocacy News

SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

The following press release was issued by The Arc of the U.S. on May 5, 2022. The Arc Supports Bill to Allow People with Disabilities to Earn and Save More Money Washington, D.C. – The Arc supports a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress to finally give people with disabilities and older Americans significantly more freedom […]

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Advocacy

JFC Approves Benchmark Funds for DSP Providers

Across the country, individuals and families have felt the painful loss of direct care professionals (DSPs). These skilled and essential home health workers, who provide many adults with IDD the hands-on support they need to live, work and socialize in their communities, earn much less than their value, averaging about $12/hour(1). Poor pay for demanding […]

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Advocacy News

Calling all advocates!

At the end of March, advocates and members of Congress gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. to show their support for disability rights, including a much-needed investment in Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). The good news is that the U.S. House of Representatives has already passed the Build Back Better […]