HCS demystified

The Arc of Dallas' board president, Clay Boatright, gets asked for guidance from a lot of other parents. He has commented many times that if he finds the state's intellectual and developmental disabilities systems and processes maddeningly confusing, just think how lost the new caregivers must feel!

The Arc is always on the lookout for helpful information that will at least partially demystify how to get supports for people with disabilities. Clay found a winner when he read "Enrollment Process" written by Advantage Community Services President David Rogers. David enthusiastically gave his permission for us to share the site with readers. It is a simple step-by-step look at Home and Community Based Services (HCS).

One important thing to keep in mind however, is that the case management function will move from Advantage Community Services, and all of the other Texas HCS providers, to the local authorities on June 1, 2010, so no doubt some of the steps will change. For most of our area that will mean working through: Metrocare Services, LifePath Systems, Tarrant County MHMR or Lakes regional MHMR.

A lot of transitional activities are going on now. Visit DADS (Department of Aging and Disability Services) to learn more.

Goodbye 'R' Word...

A quick word about language. It is pretty clear now that the "R" word is headed for the history books, but what is taking its place? It looks as if the phrase of choice is "intellectual and developmental disabilities" or "IDD". A solid justification and explanation can be found on The Arc of the United States website.

Texas Advocate Gets a Response

One of our Texas Advocates member, Suzie, wrote Senator Corona about the "R" word and received a response. Way to go Suzie!

Click here:

Announcing: Disabilities At Work Internet Talk Radio

Disabilities At Work Radio spotlights businesses that go ‘beyond compliance’ in finding and hiring qualified people with disabilities, or who support people with disabilities through philanthropy or in other ways. The show features corporate VIPs, successful service providers, educators, people with disabilities who have interesting stories, authors, researchers, government officials, elected representatives, and celebrities who have reasons to be involved.

Debuting on April 14, 2010, on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel, the show will air every Wednesday at Noon EST. Look for weekly emails about show topics and speakers.

Click HERE to read more.

DADS - Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)

Below is the DADS Legislative Appropriations Request for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013, submitted by The Arc of Texas.

Click here:

Picture of the week

Spring Break Adventure Camp is under way!
Here is one of our Happy Campers:

Donor News

Check out our Spring 2010 Donor Newsletter. It's full of good information for everyone!

Click here:

Federal Hate Crime Statute

President Obama expanded the federal hate crime statute in October 2009 to include crimes based on a person's disability. The murder of Jennifer Daugherty, 30, who was killed in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, may be the first case to use the expanded federal hate crime legislation involving a disabled person. Ms. Daugherty, who was diagnosed with a mental disability, had the mental faculties of a 12 to 14 year old. The U.S. Justice Department released a special report, which found that people with disabilities within the age groups of 12-19 and 35-49 are more than twice as likely to be victims of violence as compared to non-disabled individuals. Further, people with mental disabilities are more often victims of violence than people with other disabilities. Curtis Decker, executive director of the Disability Rights Network in Washington, D.C., believes a major reason for including disability in the expansion of Federal Hate Crime legislation is to enable monitoring by federal authorities of crimes against people with disabilities.

Full story: Joe Smydo, Federal Hate Crime Law Now Protects Those with Disabilities, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, February 13, 2010, available athttp://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10044/1035678-455.stm

Michael R. Rand & Erika Harrell, Crime Against People with Disabilities, 2007, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2009, available athttp://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/capd07.pdf


The previous story was taken from:
The Disability Law & Policy e-Newsletter
An electronic publication of The Law, Health Policy & Disability Center at the University of Iowa College of Lawhttp://disability.law.uiowa.edu/and The Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse Universityhttp://bbi.syr.edu

March for Respect 2010

On Saturday, March 27, march alongside THOUSANDS of Dallas area youth, adults and children at the Eighth Annual March for Respect. Demonstrate your support for citizens of all ages with developmental disabilities.

Clubs, schools, organizations or just a bunch of your friends can sign up to march as a group and enjoy a carnival atmosphere in the Dallas West End. Food, competitions, stage performances and an information fair are all included. $1000 will be awarded to the school and organization that brings the most marchers!

Go to www.marchforrespect.org to register, or learn how to sign up your group or have a table at the information fair. March for Respect 2010: It'll change your perspectives every step of the way!