7th Annual Dinner & Silent Auction
Friday, May 1, 2009  6:30pm - 11:00pm
Indian Pond Country Club, Kingston read more here

Welcome to 
The Arc of Greater Plymouth

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

     As all of you now know the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is still facing a $1 Billion budget gap (on top of the $1.4 billion gap addressed by cuts in October).  Unfortunately the overall trend is impossible to ignore, future cuts are imminent.  In the House 1 budget the proposed cuts to The Department of Developmental Services (DMR) is deep and painful, especially to individuals and families receiving services through Family Support.  The proposed cut eliminates $45 million for family support, residential, employment and transportation services for children and adults with disabilities.  This cut eliminates services for more than 11,000 Massachusetts families.  In addition, the salary reserve which is a salary increase to the State’s poorest workers who provide supports and services to people with disabilities has been entirely cut.  The cuts that are presently in the House 1 budget are devastating.  The impact of these cuts put lives at risk.
    The Arc of Greater Plymouth has already had cuts this fiscal year.  Our families who participate in the DOE/DMR program have been cut 20% of their budgets this year.  In addition, newer families in the DOE/DMR program who were promised $20,000 to support their child in their home were cut to $5,000 – a loss of $15,000 per family.  One family who were in need of skilled ABA services, educational consultant services and support staff to maintain their child in their home must forgo these services now for a skills trainer one day per week for five hours, with the hope that this will bridge the gap between the school program and home. 
    In the very near future the staff at The Arc of Greater Plymouth will be in direct contact with our families and the people we serve to begin our campaign to let our Legislators know that these cuts cannot happen.  It is very important that everyone contact their Legislator to let them know how important your services mean to you.  The Arc of Greater Plymouth has recently participated in a rally at the State House (February 4^th) where 25 folks, staff and individuals, lobbied our Legislators to eliminate these cuts and help produce additional revenue.
    As I write this, the President is prepared to sign a Stimulus bill for $787 billion, disability advocates will be asking Massachusetts policy makers to ensure that a portion of the $2.6 billion in Medicaid funding be used for the benefit of citizens with disabilities.  This money can and should be used to restore the proposed cuts.  Failure to restore these budgeted amounts will result in thousands of folks with disabilities being dropped from service rolls. 
    Eleven thousand people with disabilities cannot afford to lose their jobs, homes, family support, respite or other services.

This budget cannot be balanced on the backs of people with disabilities.  So, please take action and let your Legislator know how important the services you receive impact your lives.