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The Arc News in Indiana Supported Decison Making Page 2 ABA Funding Sources Page 4 Erskine Green Training Institute Page 6 Achieve with us. Vol. 59, No. 2 www.arcind.org Spring 2016 ABLE Act, High School Diploma Legislation Pass 2016 Session of General Assembly The 2016 session of the Indiana ation of the Achieving a Better Life actuarial analysis, accounting, on behalf of individuals with General Assembly came to a close Experience (ABLE) Board that will investment management, or disabilities other areas of finance on March 10. Despite the short work to establish a qualified ABLE - Individual with a disability session that did not allow time for program in Indiana. This will allow - Individual with legal expertise - Family member of an individual and knowledge in estate planning the passage of many initiatives, The individuals and families to make with a disability - Individual who is a Arc of Indiana successfully champi- contributions to an ABLE account representative of a statewide Next steps will include work by oned the passage of legislation to for qualified disability expenses that association that advocates the board to establish policies and allow ABLE accounts to be open in will benefit an eligible individual administrative guidelines for the Indiana and legislation to provide with a disability. Our thanks to ABLE program, and action in the the opportunity for all students to Senator Luke Kenley, Representative 2017 legislative session to provide earn a high school diploma with Edward Clere, and State Treasurer funding to staff the program. This consistent curriculum requirements. Kelly Mitchell for their leadership should allow families and individuals Unless otherwise indicated, all bills reported in supporting SB 11. to begin funding ABLE accounts were waiting for Governor Pence to sign into later in 2017. law as we went to press. Members of the ABLE Board will include: HB 1219 – High School Diplomas SB 11 – ABLE Act • State Treasurer HB 1219 passed unanimously in SB 11 passed unanimously in the • Secretary of Indiana Family and the Indiana House and Senate. The Indiana House and Senate and was Social Services bill requires a high school operated signed by Governor Pence on March Advocates for the ABLE Act following testimony on • Budget Director the bill in the House — Erika Steuterman, The Arc of by a school corporation to offer 21. The bill provides for the cre- • Lieutenant Governor Indiana Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman; State Treasurer Kelly Mitchell; SAI President Melody students the opportunity to earn • Governor Appointees Cooper; Kristen LaEace, CEO, Indiana Association any type of state diploma approved - Individual with experience in of Area Agencies on Aging; Executive Director Kim Dodson. by the state board of education. It Continued on page 7 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PERMIT NO. 1715 PERMIT INDIANAPOLIS, IN U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE Celebrating 60 Years “...it is not where we stand, but where we are going that counts.” – Joe Newman, Acting President, 1955 The Arc of Indiana was established in 1956 by par- serving people with intellectual and developmental dis- ents of children with intellectual and developmental abilities and their families. disabilities (I/DD) who joined together to build a better Throughout 2016 The Arc will be celebrating the import- and more accepting world for their children. Today, the ant milestone of our 60th Anniversary. We will be looking back combined strength of local Arcs, state Arcs and The Arc on the history of our accomplishments, and looking forward of the United States makes The Arc the largest national to new goals and achievements. In this issue of The Arc News community-based organization advocating for and in Indiana, we look back on The Arc’s years 1971-1985. Printed on recycled paper Printed 1971 Grant provides funding for 1972 $43,400 pledged at first children with disabilities training on recreation. Ride-A-Bike. ADEC, not enrolled in school. The Arc in Elkhart County, 1973 Regional conference of The still holds an annual Arc held in Indianapolis. Ride-A-Bike event. 1,000 in attendance. Resolution passed to take 1974 Hosted forum on legal action if necessary residential services. to implement special 1975 Conducted “Project education funding. Understanding,” statewide “Child Hunt” conducted public awareness campaign. to locate school-age Continued on page 5 The Arc of Indiana The St. 107 N. Pennsylvania Suite 800 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-977-2375 The Arc of Indiana Spring 2016 Self-Advocates Supported Decision of Indiana Making offers Alternative President’s to Guardianship Corner The Arc of Indiana continues to someone else make decisions for work on its Supported Decision them. SDM is the least restrictive Melody Cooper, President Making project with the National option available and would be less Self-Advocates of Indiana Melody Cooper Resource Center for Supported Deci- costly to both the State and those sion Making. The project focuses on who might otherwise seek guard- I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Day at the State House event. We a review of current laws and policies, ianship by avoiding expensive court Disability Awareness Month! This shared the message of the ABLE Act as well as how supported decision processes and unnecessary legal fees. is a good time to reflect on how far with our legislators and government making might fit within the array we’ve come, and to realize that there officials, and thanked them for their of supports available to people with SDM uses friends, is still much to do so that people work. We’d like to thank all of the disabilities. family members and with disabilities are fully heard and governmental officials who met with advocates to give Supported Decision Making understood. us that day. (SDM) is an alternative to guard- people with disabilities Over the past few months our In April, Shawn Fulton and I will ianship that uses friends, family the help they need and members have had the chance to have the chance to represent SAI members and advocates to give want, to understand the use their voices. Our Vice President, at the Disability Policy Seminar in people with disabilities the help situations they face and Shawn Fulton, and I both had the Washington, D.C. We look forward they need and want to understand the choices they must chance to testify on SB11, ABLE Act to learning more about disability the situations they face and the make, so they can make legislation that would allow people legislation and having the oppor- choices they must make, so they can their own decisions. with disabilities and their families tunity to speak to our legislators on make their own decisions. It does to set aside money in special ABLE Capitol Hill. not replace more formal substitute The Arc of Indiana is honored to accounts that would not affect their During Disability Awareness decision making legal structures, be a part of this project. Next steps important benefits and services. Month, and every month, I encour- but it is one more alternative, include reaching out to legislative In addition, over 100 self-advo- age you to keep using your voices to another tool in the toolbox so to leaders to urge them to study SDM cates from all over Indiana joined produce change in your communi- speak, that would enable people to in an interim study committee with together at the State House on Feb- ties and in our state! use their own support systems and the goal of introducing legislation ruary 11 for the annual Valentine’s family to obtain information and next session that would make SDM make decisions instead of having a reality in Indiana. A View from My Window Hosted by Michelle Fischer The Arc Utility The Arc of Indiana welcomes you to listen in to A View from My Window, our podcast hosted by Michelle Fischer. Support Program Visit www.arcind.org/AViewfromMyWindow to listen to the latest edition The Arc of Indiana Utility Support Program can help with utility bills and past podcasts of A View from My Window, including these recent shows: for families with a dependent child, one or more family members with a disability, and income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level. A View into #60Stories60Years Eligible Utility Support Services A View with Scott Chesney • Up to two months heating or cooling utility bill assistance Scott Chesney is a navigator of life with paralysis and President of Raise Hope Foundation that trains, mentors, and places people with • Deposit assistance to begin services disabilities and veterans in financial services careers. • Funding to prevent disconnection of services A Tribute to Jewel Kats • Funding to reactivate services Jewel Kats was a children’s book author and the inspiration for Harper • Funding to cover utility debt back to one year from date of Lodge, the first Archie Comics character with a disability. application Learn More Like A View from my Window For additional information, visit: with Michelle Fischer www.arcind.org/our-programs/ on Facebook the-arc-of-indiana-utility-support-program Follow Michelle’s Blog – My Life Apply for Assistance and Stories Behind the Mic To apply for assistance contact: Join Michelle on Twitter Gina DeWilde, Utility Support Program Coordinator, @MFView [email protected] or 800-573-9816 PAGE 2 The Arc News in Indiana The Arc of Indiana Spring 2016 Executive Director’s Column Facing Change and the Future Together As disability amendment to our Community we live in. What is it we need to make 5. Partnership Advantage awareness month Integration and Habilitation Waiver, sure we continue to support of our This strategic plan comes at a is concluding and we need to stay focused on the end chapters and the people and families critical time in the development of autism awareness goal – which is a more sustainable, they serve? How do we continue to the organization.

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