The Arc of Virginia

We are a statewide advocacy organization serving Virginians with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities.

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

Budget Updates for Virginia
The House and Senate agree on some key DD funding proposals. This improves each investments’s chance of passing in the final budget. We are still watching and advocating for the EVV exemption inclusion. #virgínia #budget #disability

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

It’s official! HB 37, which keeps SSDI income disregard in place, has been signed by Governor @SpanbergerForVA! Thank you @ireneshintweets @TheArcofNoVa The Autism Society of Central VA, and Dennis Fiindley for your tremendous leadership on this issue!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

To celebrate #AutismAcceptance and motivate each other to keep practicing acceptance all year, we asked the ALLY Alliance what it means to them as people with autism AND their allies with disabilities. We were not surprised when they gave some powerful answers…

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

The Arc of VA responds to harmful statements made about family caregiving earlier this week. If you are frustrated and angry, turn it into action: Tell GA to finalize a budget that funds waiver rates and removes barriers like EVV for live-in caregivers: https://t.co/bFV75SNd2t

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

⏰ The special session starts April 23, but the real decisions are happening now.

Take action today:
👉 https://t.co/bFV75SNd2t
Tell legislators to include DD funding + the EVV exemption.

It was a promise. Now it’s required.
#MakeThePromiseReal

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

As this General Assembly comes to a close, we know you are wondering where things ended up…

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

Rate increases for key Waiver Services included in the Permanent Injunction are on the line --- be sure you Act Now -- https://t.co/rqQalXy8yl
When looking at the State's budget -- " ‘Zero is not good enough,’” Milling said. “He (Judge Gibney) wanted to see meaningful change.”

[Richmond Times-Dispatch @RTDNEWS]

Virginia could miss complying with court order on services for the disabled, advocates say https://t.co/P7X9xQuge7

[Richmond Times-Dispatch @RTDNEWS]

Virginia could miss complying with court order on services for the disabled, advocates say https://t.co/P7X9xQuge7

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

"Stay engaged. Push the system forward." And ACT NOW! Even if you have done it before!
https://t.co/BpidFqbA3g

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

ACT NOW: Even if you have done it before!
https://t.co/BpidFqc7SO

This is the final step to influence the budget that the General Assembly will pass

[SEIU Virginia State Council @SEIU_Virginia]

BREAKING: @GhazalaHashmi @AGJayJones & @JeionWard join frontline workers and community leaders from @virginia_naacp @TheArcofVA @NewVAMajority @CareInActionUS to call for collective bargaining rights for ALL hard-working Virginians, including home care and higher ed workers!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

🟧 Budget Action Alert:: Protect Senate DD Funding and Fix EVV https://t.co/CmVkELKGTu

The House and Senate have released their budget proposals, and the differences are clear. The Senate Finance report includes meaningful investments in developmental disability waiver services. The House report does not.

As the budget moves to conference, which is when a small group of legislators negotiates the final budget, this is the most important moment for families and advocates to speak up.

What we are asking for:
-We are asking House and Senate budget conferees to:
-Keep all developmental disability waiver funding included in the Senate Finance report
-Include rate increases for Respite and Companion services, which are part of the eleven services covered under the Permanent Injunction
-Add the live-in caregiver exemption from Electronic Visit Verification (EVV)

This is a focused and realistic request. We have considered the current state and federal budget cuts and know the needs can still be met, prioritizing stability for families and caregivers.

Take Action Now:
This action is step one in the conference process. Once budget conferees are named, we will share a follow-up action focused on those members.

Please use the action tool linked to the right. It includes a pre-written message and an editable email body that you can personalize with your own story or experience. Personalized messages are especially helpful and make a strong impact.

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

We love taking a moment to thank our Senators and Delegates who patron our bills each General Assembly! Thank you, Delegate Vivian Watts for your commitment to making Virginia’s promise real and knowing people with disabilities deserve A Life Like Yours!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

This week marks crossover at General Assembly, when many bills start moving through the opposite chamber towards the finish line. While we are sad to see that some of the bills we supported this General Assembly will not move forward this year, we are excited to see that many are, including ALL of our agenda items! Thank you to all the advocates, partners, and legislators who keeping highlighting the importance of these pieces of legislation!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

We love taking a moment to thank our Senators and Delegates who patron our bills each General Assembly! Thank you, @DelRodWillett for your commitment to making Virginia’s promise real and knowing people with disabilities deserve A Life Like Yours!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

We love taking a moment to thank our Senators and Delegates who patron our bills each General Assembly! Thank you, @KathyKLTran for your commitment to making Virginia’s promise real and knowing people with disabilities deserve A Life Like Yours!

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

🟠🟧📣 TAKE ACTION thru 2/18! Budget decisions are happening now.
Use the link below to email legislators, asking them to support priority budget amendments that protect services, strengthen the workforce, and support community living for people with DD!
https://t.co/9LG7qbWBus
#generalassembly #Virginia #disability #advocate

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

🔶 📣 ACT NOW!
Now through Wednesday, February 18th
Budget decisions are happening now.
Use the link below to get details and email legislators, asking them to support priority budget amendments that protect services, strengthen the workforce, and support community living for people with developmental disabilities.
https://t.co/9LG7qbWBus

[The Arc of Virginia @TheArcofVA]

Register by March 1st! We want to hear from YOU!
https://t.co/9EA0hrOPKO
Join DBHDS and The Arc of Virginia for a virtual Lived Experiences Listening Session to share your experiences navigating Virginia’s disability services system. This session is designed to gather input on what is working well, what is challenging, and what information or supports may be missing, and to inform DBHDS’s resource development and the Shared Values Project. We are holding the session for people with developmental disabilities/self-advocates and family members with lived experience. Others are welcome to listen and learn, but our priority is hearing directly from people with lived experience.
We will have 4 breakout rooms for focused conversation:
-New to the DD services system
-On the DD Waivers Waiting List
-Recently received a DD Waiver slot
-DBHDS Shared Values Project

When: March 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Where: Virtually on Zoom