Advocates, Senators and Delegates, Thank you for all the work you do during session to improve our state.  The Governor’s proposed budget this year included 755 Developmental Disability (DD) Waivers for people on the waiting list, split over the biennium.  There were an additional 70 Waivers for people leaving Training Centers that waiting list families […]

President’s Day Recess Advocacy Tools

Members of Congress will be back home next week for the President’s Day recess. This recess, please urge your Members of Congress to support community living funding through the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program. This vital program has provided federal funds to states to transition individuals with disabilities and the aging population out of […]

The Arc of Northern Virginia in Richmond for DD Advocacy Day

Many thanks to our fabulous Director of Advocacy Lucy Beadnell for organizing a very productive advocacy day in Richmond!! Teams of advocates met with about 30 state legislators and legislative aides. A highlight of the day was a very special ceremony. The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Board member Sharon Cummings’ son Conner presented Governor Ralph Northam with […]

Criminal Justice Guides

Respectability just released a white paper on the intersection of Disability and Criminal Justice Reform.  The report begins by highlighting what we have come to know at The Arc of Northern Virginia quite personally– people with developmental disabilities are much more likely to have negative interactions with the justice system and end up incarcerated than the […]

Rescheduled! DD Advocacy Day – Now February 13, 2018

Thank you all for your understanding this week as our plans shifted drastically at the last minute! We’re excited to have lots of new advocacy options in the works. Please let me know if you’d like to join us for any (or all!) of the following: 1. We’ll head to Richmond for a mini-DD Advocacy […]

The Arc of Virginia has Cancelled Tomorrow’s DD Advocacy Day

The Arc of Virginia has Cancelled Tomorrow’s DD Advocacy Day!! While the weather forecast in Northern Virginia is manageable, the state chapter has cancelled because the weather forecast is much worse in Richmond. We all want to ensure everyone’s safety. Stay tuned for information about other advocacy opportunities. For more information about how to be […]

Budget Hearing Update – and more to come!

What a fantastic hearing yesterday! We have so many people to thank. First, many thanks to Erin, Corey, Brooke, and David, who are all incredibly powerful speakers. You all are talented with unique stories to share and you could see the wheels turning in the heads of legislators as you spoke. Thank you to Rikki, […]

Budget Hearing Wednesday!

The hearing is at 10 AM.  Sign ups begin at 9, reps from The Arc of Northern Virginia will be there very early holding our place and signing up right at 9 AM.  I anticipate us being one of the first sets of speakers, so we hope to be done speaking by 11 AM.  Please plan to arrive by 9:45 at […]