The Arc of Virginia Presidents' Day Rally

We need YOU in Richmond on 2/15!
Presidents' Day Rally

Did you speak out at one of the budget hearings?
Have your written or called your legislators about the cuts?
Have you never engaged in grassroots advocacy but know you need to get involved?

Mark your calendar...

The Arc of Virginia Presidents' Day Rally
February 15, 2010
We need YOU to stand up for the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities!

Between proposals to cut over $250 million in home and community-based waiver services and the state's insistence on building new institutions-the civil rights of Virginians with developmental disabilities are truly in jeopardy. Today, a Richmond Times Dispatch article reported that the General Assembly may be looking at even more cuts to human services programs. We need your help to speak out! Many have been meeting with, calling and writing legislators individually -but now, The Arc of Virginia is asking EVERYONE affected by the proposed cuts and policies to gather at the Capitol on President's Day (2/15) to ensure the message of "Community for All" is heard loud and clear!

WHEN?
Monday, February 15th (President's Day)
Rally beginning at 10am
Visits to General Assembly members beginning at 11am

WHERE?
Meet at 10am at the Bell Tower (at the corner of 9th St. and Franklin St) in Richmond. Together, we will then walk across Capitol Square to the General Assembly for visits with legislators-all of us delivering the same message: "Eliminate cuts to community-based services and stop rebuilding institutions!"

WHO SHOULD COME?
Everyone affected by cuts to community-based services. If you are affected directly, we need you there to tell your story and stand up for your rights! If you are not directly affected but care about those who are, come to represent those who are unable to speak for themselves that day.

STAY TUNED
More information regarding logistics, parking and visits to legislators will be coming soon.





A summary of the proposed budget affecting people with developmental disabilities:

--Elimination of 1,000 ID Waivers and 134 IFDDS Waivers
--Enrollment freeze on ID, DD, EDCD and DS Waivers
--5% cut to home and community based Waiver services
--Reduction in respite hours- from 720/year to 240/year
--Elimination of podiatry and optometry services for adults
--Reduction of OT, PT and incontinence supplies for adults
-- The rebuilding of large, segregated state institutions for people with intellectual disabilities.






www.thearcofva.org
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Toxic Substances Control Act reform and restraints and seclusion in schools

This Blog has been sent on behalf of Jeff Sell, Autism Society Vice President of Public Policy 02/04/10



It was a busy day for the autism community on Capitol Hill today, with activity in two very important areas – Toxic Substances Control Act reform and restraints and seclusion in schools.



On the first front, the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI), a coalition of health and developmental disabilities organizations including the Autism Society, released the first-ever biomonitoring report identifying toxic chemical pollution in people from the learning and developmental disability community. A total of 61 chemicals (out of 89 tested) were found in the 12 participants – including Autism Society Vice President of Public Policy Jeff Sell.



The report was released in conjunction with today's Senate Hearing before the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health to examine current science on public exposures to toxic chemicals. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is the primary federal law governing chemical safety, and has never been significantly amended since its adoption in 1976. Learn more about the study here: http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=15683&news_iv_ctrl=1882, and find out more about environmental health and autism here: http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_envirohealth.



Also this morning, the Preventing Harmful Restraint and Seclusion in Schools Act (H.R. 4247) passed out of the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor by a vote of 34-10. H.R. 4247 would establish the first federal standards to protect students from misuse of restraint and seclusion, and ensure the safety of everyone in the classroom. The bill will now head to the House floor for a full vote. Help keep this bill strong – take action today: https://secure2.convio.net/asa/site/Advocacy?alertId=351&pg=makeACall&JServSessionIda004=uvw7kw04t1.app216c!



Carin Yavorcik

Media Specialist

Autism Society

301.657.0881 x 9015

cyavorcik@autism-society.org

www.autism-society.org





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This message was sent by Angel Barnhill (tasa@tidewaterasa.org) from Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia meetup group.
To learn more about Angel Barnhill, visit his/her member profile
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Emergency Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Needs in Tidewater

Hello Meetup Members,

I have attached a link for the Emergency Preparedness for Families of Children with Special Needs toolkit provided to me by Care Connection/CHKD. This is a great planning guide for families and others with disabilities to use when making necessary preparations for emergency situations. For many individuals with special health care needs, organizing important medical information in advance of such events as our snow storm in a user friendly document is essential to ensuring that necessary medical care is able to be carried out. If you haven’t already begun your pre-planning for emergency situations, NOW is the time to begin this process.


http://www.chkd.org/documents/CareConnections/EmergencyPreparednessforFamilies.pdf




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This message was sent by Angel Barnhill (tasa@tidewaterasa.org) from Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia meetup group.
To learn more about Angel Barnhill, visit his/her member profile
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Facial Recognition Study

Hello All,

Over the summer and fall months of 2009, EVMS conducted a facial recognition study on children with Autism. They had a really good response from you and would like to conduct another round of the study. Please see the attached link for more information. If you have any problems opening the link please let me know.


Facial Recognition Study Please Click Here

Thanks,

Angel Barnhill
Resource Director/Meetup Organizer
Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia
757-461-4474




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This message was sent by Angel Barnhill (tasa@tidewaterasa.org) from Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia meetup group.
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Obama Seeks Boost for Special Education

For more information on this article click the link below:



http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2010/02/01/2011-budget/6810/


Angel Barnhill
Resource Director/Meetup organizer
Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia
757-461-4474




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This message was sent by Angel Barnhill (tasa@tidewaterasa.org) from Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia meetup group.
To learn more about Angel Barnhill, visit his/her member profile
To unsubscribe or to update your mailing list settings, click here

Meetup Inc. PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

New Group for Autism Service Providers in Tidewater, VA.

New Group for Autism Service Providers in Tidewater, VA.
The purpose of this group is to bring together Behavior Analysts, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Teachers, and other professionals who provide services to children who have autism. The group will try to meet monthly starting in March or April. Topics for the meetings will depend on the interests of the members.
For more information please check out the Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=114777039976
or join our Yahoo Group: http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Autism_Service_Providers/


Thanks,

Angel Barnhill
Resource Director, Meetup Organizer
Autism Society, Tidewater Virginia
757-461-4474




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This message was sent by Angel Barnhill (tasa@tidewaterasa.org) from Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia meetup group.
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Meetup, PO Box 4668 #37895 New York, New York 10163-4668 | support@meetup.com

Free Dental Services for Children

Hello Everyone,

I am just passing along some information that I received by email. Please contact Elizabeth Berry if you have any questions and/or comments.

Thank you,

The VCU Pediatric Dental Clinic on Friday February 5, from 7:30am to 1pm, will be seeing any child that needs dental services for free!

This day we will be providing exams, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and extractions. Give Kids a Smile Day is committed to helping children that may be unable to receive dental care.

This day is dedicated to those children that need dental services and are unable to get them due to the circumstances in their life, including being uninsured or they are unable to find a clinic that excepts their insurance. Please help us reach out to these children by letting people know we have this day of free service. We need your help in order to make this day a success!

Please let me know if you can help, we would truly appreciate it and so will the children that get this free service!

Elizabeth Berry DDS, MSD, MPH
Assistant Professor, Pediatric Dentistry
827-0931
clarkej2@vcu.edu
Regina A. Myrick, President
Ra'Gene B. Myrick Foundation, Inc.
404 South College Drive, Franklin, Va. 23851
757.544.0213 cell
reginamyrick2003@yahoo.com
www.ragenebmyrick.com