e-Newsletter February 2016

FEBRUARY 2016 Our mission is to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and  developmental disabilities have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities. Support The Arc Maryland. We thank you for your generosity. PLEASE CONSIDER A DONATION TODAY. BREAKING NEWS: Controversial proposed TCM regulations put on hold The Maryland General Assembly's Administrative, Executive & Legislative Review Committee (AELR) has put a 'hold' the controversial proposed regulations impacting children and adults with developmental disabilities that would withdraw Targeted Case Management from those deemed 'Supports Only' eligible. The Arc Maryland, our partners, and advocates raised concerns about these proposed changes. Thank you to Senator Roger Manno (Montgomery County) and Delegate Samuel Rosenberg (Baltimore City) for your leadership to put these changes on hold and for further review. The committee is requesting a more detailed study of the issues and to ensure concerns of stakeholders are heard and addressed. Attached are the letters sent from AELR to Governor Hogan and Dept. of Health & Mental Hygiene Secretary Van Mitchell.  Advocates trek to Annapolis for DD Day 2016 More than 600 advocates, families and professionals braved the cold and snowy roads to take Annapolis by storm! Legislators were impressed with our standing‐room‐only crowd and enjoyed finding constituents and talking  about I/DD policies and funding. Our champion legislators spoke about the hot topics of this year's General Assembly including  funding for people waiting in Crisis Resolution on the state's Waiting List, rates for direct care workers, the ABLE Act, ending sub‐minimum wage and more! Thank you to everyone who made the trip to Annapolis. Your voices were heard and you make a tremendous impact in the legislative process. Check out more photos at the end of this e‐newsletter.