Budget Priorities 2011[1]

SENATE FAILS TO RESTORE KEY SERVICES
ALL BUT ONE AMENMDENT REJECTED
Despite an outpouring of support from thousands of individuals from across the state and more than 100 organizations, the Senate failed to restore nearly all of the …

Direct Support Workforce Goes Four Years Without Funding for Salary Adjustment
Governor provides 3% increase for state managers
Governor’s Supplemental Silent on Adjustment for workers supporting state programs under contract
Only Legislators Can Fix the Inequity
Rep. David Linsky …

Reducing funding to Medicaid and Massachusetts MassHealth programs would be detrimental to the children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on the program.

Arc Community Services programs will be closed June 16th & June 17th due to the fire at the Johnsonia building on Monday.  The weekend Recreation drop-in club is closed as well.
 
We have sustained minimal damage and are committed …

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 – Arc Community Services’ programs that take place at the Main Street Fitchburg location will be closed for the day.  However, staff should report to work as normal.  We apologize for any …

Disability Line Item Hopes Focus on Restoration Efforts
  As the Wednesday, May 18th release of the Senate Ways and Means budget approaches, disability advocates are cautiously waiting to see if increasing state revenues will have any …

Include DDS and MassHealth as Ways and Means Budget Priorities
The Needs
Community services touch the lives of more than 38,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Individuals and families primarily rely on the …

Arc & Matson Community Services will be hosting an “Artistic Musical Chair Auction” on May 6, 2011 at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
We are currently releasing wooden chairs to area artists who would like to paint a …

IC’s 3rd Annual Cookbook is now available and we are proud to an-nounce that the proceeds will benefit ARC Community Services of Fitchburg.

IC’s 3rd Annual Cookbook is now available and we are proud to an-nounce that the proceeds will benefit Arc Community Services of Fitchburg. IC employees and members alike participated by contributing their favorite recipes so that we …

The 2009 Annual Report is now available to be viewed online.

NEWS from Congressman John W. Olver
 WASHINGTON, D.C.— Yesterday, the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee approved $300,000 for the renovation of the ARC 564 Main Street Building in Fitchburg, MA. ARC Community Services is a non-profit agency …

After months of debate, thousands of email pleadings, letters and phone calls, both houses of Congress have now passed the six month FMAP extension.  Following up on the Senate August 4th passage of the extension, the …

On Thursday, August 5, the U.S. Senate voted 61-39 to pass a bill whose amendments will extend some measure of enhanced Medicaid (FMAP) funding to states, including an expected $506 million to Massachusetts.
 
The bill, H.R. 1586, …

Joint Message from The Arc and ADDP
Time is Running Out for Consumers and Families on the cut lists
An important request will be arriving shortly on the desk of Governor Deval Patrick.   He will have to decide …

Human Services Community holds its breath
With July 1st and impending fiscal disaster only 36 hours away, word comes from Washington, D.C. this afternoon that Massachusetts’ junior senator has a plan to deliver millions in federal funds …

The Arc relays a Big thank you to House and Senate conferees Charlie Murphy, Steven Panagiotakos, Barbara L’Italien (special thanks!), Steve Brewer, Robert Hargreaves and
Michael Knapik for the positive conference budget released last night.  Yes, there …

All told 50 people showed up throughout our first vigil day, a number of them coming on their own.  We also want to recognize Nupath, Lifeworks, BAMSI, RTR, and Bridgewell. Please call Senator Brown (even if …

SEN. BROWN IGNORES DESPERATE CALLS FOR HELP
 With the heartbreaking developments last week in which Congress ultimately failed to grant a six month extension of FMAP (enhanced federal Medicaid spending), Massachusetts and dozens of other already struggling states are …

RON HURD MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES 2011-2012
Please join us for this year’s Ron Hurd Memorial Lecture Series. Ron was a long time Board Member, supporter and benefactor of Arc Community Services and this series …

To assist us in planning educational programs to best suit your needs, we need you to let us know what you feel would be most beneficial. Please indicate topics and their priority on the survey attached. Even …

We have made it even easier to read our Recreation and Family Support Newsletter online! Just click on the link below and read the newsletter in its entirety. 2011 March Recreation Newsletter
 Recreation and Family Support calendars for …

We have made it even easier to read our Recreation and Family Support Newsletter online! Just click on the link below and read the newsletter in its entirety. Recreation Newsletter January 2011
 Recreation and Family Support calendars …

Arc Community Services is proud to announce the upcoming Ron Hurd Memorial Lecture Series for 2010-2011. This is a series of informational presentations on topics of interest to families of individuals with a cognitive or intellectual …

Arc CommunityService’s Family Support program is participating in a holiday gift campaign! We are again sponsoring a GIVING TREE to collect gifts for children with disabilites and their siblings and/or those experiencing financial difficulties during this …

The Arc Volunteer Orientation scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th from 6-8pm has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. The afternoon session from 1-3pm at Arc Community Services, 564 Main Street, Fitchburg WILL be held and still has …

Important updates regarding increasng our use of email for communication, Arc dance information, our need for volunteers, and Weekend Recreation scholarships. Please click on the link to review this very important information. Thanks. snow_policy_2010

As we plan our Arc trips, we’d like to see where YOU would like to go! Please click the link to fill out and return the Vacation Trip Interest Survey. Thanks.
Vacation_Survey_2010

Important updates regarding increasng our use of email for communication, Arc dance information, our need for volunteers, and Weekend Recreation scholarships. Please click on the link to review this very important information. Thanks. Update_September_2010[1]

The Recreation and Family Support sections of the website have been updated.
Be sure to check out the Recreation and Family Support calendar updates for Weekend Recreation, bowling, dance and support group info. A scholarship application form …

ARC Community Services
  ADULT BOWLING LEAGUE REGISTRATION (14+)
Starts:  Thursday, September 30, 2010
Time:    3:15 – 4:30PM
Place:   Mason’s Recreation Center, 40 North Main Street, Leominster, MA  01453
Cost:    $4.50 per week. Bowling shoes are available free of charge.
Bowling will …

This group has been temporarily put on hold due to a lack of attendees at meetings; however you are still welcome to call ARC Community Services at 978-343-6662, ext. 115 or email Kathy Black at kblack@arccommunityservices.org …

Do you have a spare bedroom? Have you ever thought about sharing your home and your life with someone who may be less fortunate than you? Do you have a sincere desire to make …

The Case Manager is responsible for the implementation of Individual Service Plans, overall familiarity with individual consumer needs and active advocacy for individuals in assigned caseload.
Qualifications:  High School Diploma or significant work experience
                                                                           AND
Six months of …

The Case Manager is responsible for the development and implementation of Individual Service Plans, overall familiarity with individual consumer needs and active advocacy for individuals in assigned caseload. 
Qualifications:  High School Diploma or significant work experience
                                                                           AND
One …

Brief Job Description:  The Direct Care Support Staff is responsible for the implementation of Individual Service Plans, overall familiarity with individual consumer needs and active advocacy for all program participants.
Qualifications: High School Diploma or significant work experience    …

Brief Job Description:  The Relief Direct Support Staff is responsible for the implementation of individual supports, overall familiarity with individual consumer needs and active advocacy for all program participants at varied levels of support and settings …

The Clinical Director is responsible for ensuring that evaluations and plans are provided for each support recipient as appropriate, and that those services are coordinated with each recipient’s functional routine. Responsible for providing, monitoring, and recording …

Mayor Lisa Wong interviews Mary Heafy, President and CEO, of Alliance for Resource Management.

Are you caring for a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities who has Mass Health Insurance?  If so, you might be eligible for the Enhanced Family Adult Foster Care program at Matson Community Services.

Sentinel & Enterprise: Editorial
Posted: 04/13/2011 06:32:43 AM EDT

Mary Heafy, President and CEO of Arc Community Services, beamed as she took us on a tour of her operation in downtown Fitchburg last week. Everywhere she brought us in …

FITCHBURG — Arc Community Services is continuing its $5 million fundraising program foot-by-foot and has a new partner in HH Gagnon Housing, which is willing to donate up to $125,000 in matching grants.
Arc is running a …

Sentinel & Enterprise
Posted: 02/20/2011 06:32:22 AM EST
FITCHBURG — Mary Heafy, president and CEO of Arc Community Services, announced Feb. 11 that the organization has retained McKenzie Engineering Co. Inc. to conduct a comprehensive assessment of Arc’s facility …

FITCHBURG (February 11, 2011) – Mary Heafy, President and CEO of Arc Community Services, is pleased to announce that the organization has retain McKenzie Engineering Co., Inc to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their facility at …

By Hunter Amabile, hamabile@sentinelandenterprise.com
Posted: 11/01/2010 06:32:36 AM EDT
Dressed up in his tan uniform, and pressing his forefinger into each small patch that decorates his sash, Tommy Padula counted to 30.
Padula, 46, has been a Boy Scout for …

FITCHBURG — Staff members at ARC Community Services on Main Street haven’t let unfinished construction prevent them from providing work training and job opportunities to people with developmental disabilities.

Read more: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_15657910?IADID=Search-www.sentinelandenterprise.com-www.sentinelandenterprise.com#ixzz0wrplVj39

It’s soccer time again. If you are interested in participating in Arc’s Special Olympic Soccer Team, please click on the registration form, complete and return form by August 22nd. Thanks. Pre-registration is required and priority is …

Arc’s Bowling League begins September 22, 2011 and continues thru the spring each Thursday afternoon from 3:15pm-4:30pm. Bowling is open to individuals over the age of 14. Cost is $5.00 a week and includes 2 strings …

Please click on the link below to read the August-September 2011 edition of Arc’s Recreation and Family Support newsletter. Enjoy.
Please note the invitation to join our renewed Recreation Family Advisory Committee; the first meeting will be Wednesday, …

Without debate, the Senate rejected key amendments to restore developmental disabilities, brain injury, and extended employment funding.
The amendments were targeted to restore essential residential, day services and employment programs.
ADDP, The Arc and MFOFC had advised legislators …