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The Arc News in Indiana Award Recipients Page 4 Erskine Green Training Institute Page 6 Utility Support Program Page 8 Achieve with us. Vol. 59, No. 1 www.arcind.org Winter 2015-2016 2016 Public Policy Agenda The 2016 session of the Indiana savings account for disability-related Employment Criminal Justice General Assembly will provide many expenses. Earnings on an ABLE Support legislation that Monitor and sup- opportunities to advance initiatives account would not be taxed, and increases employment port legislation that will lead to greater indepen- account funds would generally not opportunities for peo- that will identify dence for people with intellectual be considered for the supplemental ple with I/DD. people with I/DD and developmental disabilities security income (SSI) program, within the crimi- (I/DD). Following is an overview Medicaid, and other federal means- Workforce nal justice system. of The Arc of Indiana’s legislative tested benefits. Continue to sup- Monitor and support legislation priorities. Education port efforts to that will create and/or support pro- ensure a sustain- grams for people with I/DD as they 2016 Legislative Support legisla- able system that get involved in the criminal Justice tion that provides Priorities attracts and system. the opportunity maintains the direct support profes- ABLE Act for every student Support legislation that provides sional workforce. for stronger sentencing of crimes Support legisla- to earn a high school diploma with consistent curriculum requirements. Funding for committed against someone due to tion to allow fam- their disability. ilies to develop In addition, the courses required to Programs and earn a diploma need to be accessible ABLE accounts Services Crisis / Emergency in Indiana. The federal ABLE Act throughout all schools. Continue to monitor the invest- Services allows people with disabilities and Early Childhood their families to set up a special ments made in provider reimburse- Support recom- Support legisla- ments rates in 2015. mendations made tion that extends Support efforts to improve funding to FSSA by the the age for a child for programs and services which help University of to be diagnosed people with disabilities, their families New Hampshire with a develop- and service providers. regarding the need for a crisis sys- mental delay. tem for people with I/DD as well NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION as mental illness. The Arc supports PERMIT NO. 1715 PERMIT INDIANAPOLIS, IN U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE putting out to bid a demonstration Celebrating 60 Years project that will implement the first community-based organization regional project and then continue advocating for and serving people implementation throughout the with intellectual and developmental state. disabilities and their families. To read The Arc’s full 2016 Public Throughout 2016 The Arc will be Policy Agenda, visit www.arcind.org celebrating the important milestone of our 60th Anniversary. We will Printed on recycled paper Printed be looking back on the history of The Arc’s Utility “… it is not where we stand, but where our accomplishments, and looking Support Program can we are going that counts.” – Joe New- forward to new goals and achieve- man, Acting President, 1955 ments. In this issue of The Arc New assist families with The Arc of Indiana was established in Indiana, we look back on The a dependent child, in 1956 by parents of children with Arc’s early years. and one or more intellectual and developmental dis- The Arc’s Early Years family members with abilities (I/DD) who joined together a disability, who meet to build a better and more accepting In the 1950s, small groups of par- income guidelines. world for their children. Today, the ents and other concerned individuals combined strength of local Arcs, state came together to act as voices for See Page 8 Arcs and The Arc of the United States change. At the time, little was known makes The Arc the largest national about the condition of intellectual The Arc of Indiana The St. 107 N. Pennsylvania Suite 800 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317-977-2375 Continued on page 5 The Arc of Indiana Winter 2015-2016 Self-Advocates about self-advocacy. They are hoping member and friend this November: to open a chapter soon. SAI Treasurer, “Big” John Ellinger passed away, and of Indiana Nicki Hinkle, and our administrator, he will be very missed. We honored Amanda Circle, attended the “First him, celebrated all that we accom- Mile, Last Mile Connections To plished in 2015, and made plans President’s Transit” workshop on November 13, for 2016 at our December board in which participants complete bus Corner stop accessibility assessments around meeting, December 16 and 17 at Indianapolis. The Marten House in Indianapolis. Melody Cooper, President Please follow us at our NEW Instagram Self-Advocates of Indiana We are also sad to announce that we lost a strong self-advocate, board account, SelfAdvocatesIN. Melody Cooper Hello everyone! I can’t believe that a new year has begun for Self-Advo- with Disabilities provided SAI with cates of Indiana. a scholarship which allowed us to The end of 2015 passed quickly cover the cost for eight self-advocates with SAI’s many activities. In Sep- to attend the convention. So we A View from My Window tember we held our annual con- would like to say thank you to them. Hosted by Michelle Fischer ference, “Branching Out Into the In October four self-advocates The Arc of Indiana welcomes you to listen in to A View from My Community.” Jennie Todd from the participated in a panel discussion for Window, our podcast hosted by Michelle Fischer. Indiana Institute on Disability and CareStar case managers. They spoke Visit www.arcind.org/AViewfromMyWindow to listen to the latest edition Community was our conference about customer service and what it and past broadcasts of A View from My Window, including these recent keynote speaker. Over 85 self-ad- means to be a good case manager. shows: vocates and supporters attended our On the same day we attended the conference. Governor’s Council Town Hall A View into The Arc’s Utility Support Program As soon as the conference was meetings. over, we began preparing for The In November Betty Williams A View into Celiac Disease Arc National Convention which and I spoke to an education class at was held in Indianapolis. Many SAI Indiana University, Bloomington. A View with Podcast Host Reid Moriarty chapters and members attended I also spoke at The Arc of Jackson or volunteered at the convention. County’s Annual Meeting and A View into “Just the Facts” on the The Governor’s Council for People Awards Banquet, where I spoke GrErskine Green Training Institute Like “A View from my Window with Michelle Fischer” on Facebook Follow Michelle’s Blog – My Life and Stories Behind the Mic Join Michelle on Twitter @MFView featuring the work of Indiana artists with developmental disabilities. Supported Decision Making an Alternative to Guardianship The Arc of Indiana is partnering with the National Center for Sup- ported Decision Making to research the current guardianship environ- ment in Indiana. Derek Morris, a graduate of Ball State University and current law student at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, is working with The Arc to review current laws and policies, as well as how supported decision making might fit within the array of supports available to people with disabilities. Supported Derek Morris decision making is an alternative to need and want to understand the guardianship that uses friends, fam- situations they face and the choices ily members and advocates to give they must make, so they can make people with disabilities the help they their own decisions. PAGE 2 The Arc News in Indiana The Arc of Indiana Winter 2015-2016 Executive Director’s Column We all have had recently graduated from Frank- head up our Chapter and Mem- colleagues who lin College and had met the board bership Services area. When Mark come and go. president while he was working at joined The Arc, we had just under Some we miss the local radio station. The board 4,000 members statewide; today we more than oth- was in need of a secretary, so Mark have nearly 23,000! Mark’s belief in membership and the power of collab- ers, and some immediately became a board officer oration has made a real difference in Kim Dodson we know we will and started his volunteer time with The Arc’s advocacy efforts. We have never be able to replace. As we The Arc. head into 2016, we at The Arc bid had great accomplishments with “Happy Retirement” to a dedicated In 1983, Mark joined the board Mark Kevitt the help of our grassroots effort and staff member, Mark Kevitt, who has of directors for The Arc of Indiana Always dedicated to his local membership. given so much to The Arc’s mission. and remained on the board for 23 community, Mark became involved We are sad to see Mark move years, serving in key positions as in his home town of Columbus with into retirement, but at the same All of us in the non-profit world Secretary, Treasurer and Regional The Arc of Bartholomew County in time congratulate him for years of relish it when a new fresh volunteer 1988. He has served on that board service to thousands of people with gets involved and is as dedicated to Vice President. He was part of the as well in the position of Secretary, disabilities who have benefited from the mission of the organization and leadership team that hired longtime Treasurer and Vice President. Mark his passion and dedication.

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