Arc Annual Awards Night
Thursday, May 6 @ 6:00 p.m.
Award Nominations Accepted Until April 14
For nominations click here for the application
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The Current Kansas Budget Crisis
Our Governor and legislators, facing a state budget crisis in 2009, made unprecedented and potentially devastating cuts to Kansas’ Developmental Disability (DD) system that will impact our organizations and those we serve for years to come.
Consider the short-term damage:
• An almost complete elimination of state-only funds for persons with developmental disabilities.
• A 10% reduction of the HCBS DD Waiver, rolling back almost all increases made to the waiver during the entire past decade.
The temptation, without opposition, will be to again slash social service budgets. Even a plan to restore the 10% Medicaid reduction for some services would be done by eliminating all State Aid and State Grant Funds that would completely eliminate services for others as well as any safety net for those falling off Medicaid funding.
Service cuts are not merely a reduction in budget numbers, but also have a disproportionately negative impact on those living with disabilities.
There are thousands of success stories of people in our community living well with disabilities but those stories are made possible through the guidance and assistance of public programs and funding. Without funding our entire community suffers.
It is up to you to remind Topeka of the real impact of current and potential cuts and to make it clear that “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.”
It’s Time to Act-
Share your story. The most powerful advocacy tool are the stories of the families. The challenges you face, your hopes and your fears paint a picture of a life most legislators don’t know. There are several ways to share your story. You can write a letter or send an email. You can make a phone call or a video, but the most powerful are face to face. Below are several opportunities to get involve.
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Ink Party
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
615 N. Main, Wichita
Come and Go from 4-8 p.m.
Help us raise awareness for our most vulnerable citizens.
The Community Council is hosting a letter writing party targeting issues like:
• Ensuring the already inadequate Medicaid funding for 2011 stays intact;
• Restore State Grant Funding that supports vulnerable populations not
covered by the already limited Medicaid dollars;
• Protection of the 0 to age 5 populations who currently have no
funding/service options.
• We will provide: laptops with internet connection, letter templates, pens,
paper, envelopes, stamps, and even cell phones if you would like to call your
legislators directly.
We will also be attempting to schedule appointments with our legislators when they return home the following week for spring break, so bring your story, a snack to share and come ready to write, type or dial!
If you have any questions, please contact
Rachel M. Banning at 516.2605 or rbanning3@cox.net
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Advocacy Training
An Advocacy Training will be held at The Arc Thursday, March 11 from 1:00-2:45. Learn the basics of advocacy, the how to of writing your legislator and do's and don'ts in communicating your message. Parent/Advocate Expert Kay Soltz will help prepare you to make a stand. If you can not attend this training time, but are still interested- Please contact Kevin at 943-1191.
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Invisible Kansans
www.InvisibleKansans.com
This website is a great informational tool and one stop shop for contacting your legislator.
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 | 2010 National Humanitarian Award
Church Women United present the 2010 National Humanitarian Award to Arc Program Director Marty Rothwell. The award was in honor of Marty’s 30 plus years of touching and changing the lives of those living with disabilities. This special recognition was held Friday, February 5th with a packed house at Interfaith Ministries. Arc Board member, and past Humanitarian of the year recipient, Marge Zakoura-Vaughan, presented the award. Congratulations to Marty and thank you for all you do. |
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Board of Directors' Meetings |
The Arc of Sedgwick County's Board of Directors Meet the 4th Monday of each month throughout the year. The Meetings are held at 6:00PM at The Arc (located at 2919 W. 2nd). All Arc members and friends are welcome to attend.
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Membership Meetings |
Arc Membership Meetings are offered three times throughout the year to provide updates to the membership on the happenings at The Arc and vote on any business that is advertised. The Board President calls the meetings and will set the dates.
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Annual Membership Meeting
Monday, April 19
7:00 p.m.
At The Arc |
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Parent & Guardian Advisory Group |
The Arc's Parent & Guardian Advisory Group meets the 4th Thursday each month throughout the year. The time alternates monthly from 11:30AM to 6:00PM to accomodate busy schedules. This is a great way for families to get involved in what all is happening at The Arc and to help us set goals for the years to come.
Call our office at 943-1191 for upcoming meetings. |
The Arc Learning Series |
| The Arc Learning Series provides information on topics important to you. The Parent & Guardian Advisory Group has helped develop a list of topics that they would like to be better educated. Topics such as Planning Special Needs Trusts, Guardianship, Understanding Social Security, and DD (Developmental Disability)Services. Learning Series Events will be posted here or contact The Arc to be put on the mailing list. |
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