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October 19, 2018  -  Vol. 56  Issue 19
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Welcome to ReSources 

The Arc of Northern Virginia's E-Newsletter

Resources to Help Ease The Frustration over Social Security & Waivers

Whether it's at the state level or the feds, dealing with a government agency is often frustrating.  From the language used on application forms to the confusion over who qualifies, what programs are available to whom, and how to access them, getting the right help for yourself or a loved one can leave you pulling your hair out.  

We at The Arc of Northern Virginia do our best to stay on top of changes to programs, find the experts to share their knowledge, and deliver to you the information you need to navigate the challenges.  We recently tackled two of the most-requested topics: Social Security and waivers.

Social Security:
We've posted a new, updated webinar that explains the eligibility and application process for SSA benefits, and provides helpful, practical tips. Information is also provided to help you manage SSA benefits while working. "You Can Work & Manage Your SSA Benefits" is presented by Marilyn Morrison, Community Work Incentives Coordinator for the Virginia Association of Community Rehabilitation Programs.

In addition, we've created and posted several useful tools to help with the process.  You'll find fact sheets, checklists, FAQs, and samples all posted under the Social Security heading in the Resource Library posted on our website.

Waivers:
One thing we know about the Waivers programs is that they're always changing.  This month we've created and posted an updated webinar that covers the Medicaid Waivers since the 2016 redesign, including the planned roll out of new services in 2018. "Home and Community-based Medicaid Waivers and EPSDT" also briefly touches on the intersection of CCC+ and new mandates for children under 21 to use EPSDT for some waiver services.

While you're there, check our YouTube Channel for other informational videos on a wide range of topics.  And be sure to visit our on-line Resource Library often, as we continue to create and post more tools and guides to help.

Workshop: Disability and Trauma Prevention, Identification, and Treatment

 

Thursday, October 25th – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. ET

The Arc of Northern Virginia
2755 Hartland Road – Suite 200, Falls Church VA

People with disabilities are significantly more likely to be victims of crime than someone with out a disability, but there are many ways to become a “tough target” for abuse.  Our expert panel of social workers, therapists, yoga therapists, and social skills coaches will share information on how to prevent abuse and trauma, how to identify trauma, and how to recover from traumatic experiences.

There are two ways to attend this workshop:

  • Join us in our conference room to hear our speaker in-person and network with other attendees, or
  • Listen LIVE via webinar on your computer or tablet.

As always, our webinars and workshops are FREE to attend!  But remember, pre-registration is required.
REGISTER HERE

Recognizing our Gala Sponsors

Businesses, Individuals, and Families Committed to the Mission to Help Others Live "A Life Like Yours"

Plans are coming together. The menu is set. Silent auction tables are filling up.  It's going to be a night of great fun, raising money for a serious mission.  We want to recognize an amazing list of sponsors, who make the event possible.  Our sincerest expressions of gratitude and appreciation go to the following:

Red Carpet Level Sponsor:
The Foundation of The Arc of Northern Virginia

Blockbuster Level Sponsors:
Chartis Federal
The Church Family
Julie and Mike Connors
Envisioneering
HOPE Therapy and Wellness Center
Licentia Financial LLC
The Law Office of Michael D. Toobin

Silver Screen Level Sponsors:
Access National Bank
The Burke Family
The Egan Family
Rikki Epstein and Family & Friends
The Claude and Nancy Keener Charitable Fund
The Harbitter Family Foundation
Key Private Bank
The Pedlikin Family
Christine and Steve Plummer
Volunteers of America Chesapeake
Alex Yellin and Sheila Billingsley

Box Office Level Sponsors:
Belkowitz Law, PLLC
The Burmester Family
Chimes Virginia
Sue and Ken Cohn
CRi (formerly known as Community Residences, Inc.)
Conner and Sharon Cummings
Scott and Patricia Dulman
Engage Behavioral Health
Isa and Sefanie Farhat and Family
Mark Friese, Merrill Lynch Special Needs Planning Group
Hale Ball Carlson Baumgartner Murphy, PLC
Paul and Maureen Hallman
Hartwood Foundation, Inc.
King & Spalding LLP
L'Arche Greater Washington, D.C.
Maryn and Michael Leland
Lutheran Family Services of Virginia
The Nannini Family
Needham Mitnick & Pollack, PLC
David J. O'Connor
Ross, Langan & McKendree LLP
Silvia Sagari, PhD
Tom and Carol Skelly
Sprint Business
St. John’s Community Services
Michael and Karen Thomas
Linda and Frank Trippett
UnitedHealthcare
Uptown Buss
Carol and Tom Wheeler
Hannah Wilklow Fund

- - - - - 

Individual tickets to attend The Arc of Northern Virginia goes HOLLYWOOD Gala are still available.  Come join us for a fun evening, supporting our mission.

Saturday, November 3, 2018
6:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner  
Buy Your Gala Tickets NOW
Weekly Live Chats on Facebook


Each Wednesday from 12-2 PM, you can log into Facebook and chat live with an expert Arc staff member who can answer your questions and help you find resources.  To chat with us, visit our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheArcofNoVA and click the "Send Message" box right under our profile picture.  We'll reply and help you get what you need.  

The Arc of Northern Virginia is continually looking for ways to bring YOU the information you need - and the answers to your questions - about services and supports for individuals with ID/DD.  As more people embrace digital technologies, we will be using those platforms to expand our reach.
MPower Me Tech Workshop
 
 
Wed, Nov. 14th, 6 - 8pm
(Monthly on the second Wed)
The Arc of Northern Virginia
2755 Hartland Rd, Ste 200
Falls Church, VA 22043 

Interaction with mobile devices can help improve self-awareness and understanding while supporting responsible behaviors and hobbies. MPower Me coaches families in preparing Students to use technology effectively and to act more independently.

At this workshop, TechMentors™ will help participants learn and practice:
• Planning to achieve complex tasks with smaller steps
• Setting goals for independence and participation
• Identifying activities that mobile technology can support
• Tracking and reporting progress towards goals
 
 
Webinar: Voting
Eliminating Barriers and Supporting People with I/DD

 
Tuesday, October 23rd - 2:00pm
 
For millions of people with disabilities in the United States, exercising the basic right to vote remains a challenge. Over the last few decades, the U.S. government has passed several policies to make voting easier for individuals with disabilities. However, people may still struggle to vote because of barriers they face from the government, caregivers, and family members.

This webinar, hosted by The Center for Future Planning and presented by The Arc of the United States, will review barriers people may face when voting and will explore solutions to break down these barriers for people with I/DD so that everyone can exercise their right to vote.

Best of all, our Live Webinars are FREE to attend, but pre-registration is required.
Register Now
  

Trust Talk Tuesdays

 Oct. 30th - 10-11:30 am
 Nov. 13th - 10-11:30 am

These group discussions will focus on futures planning, including special needs trusts and other relevant topics. Tia Marsili, Director of Trusts, The Arc of Northern Virginia, will walk you through the importance of planning for the future of your loved one with disabilities, why trusts are a valuable tool, and other critical services and programs that you should consider.
 
Our Next Futures Planning Workshop
 

 
Special Needs Planning

Friday, November 2nd
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
 
Tia Marsil, Trust Director of The Arc of Northern Virginia Special Needs Trust Program, and her guest, attorney Loretta Morris Williams of Hale Ball, PLC, will provide information on practical considerations and legal tools available to protect yourself and your loved ones in the future.  Day to day life can be overwhelming.  Take this opportunity to think ahead, learn where to start, and begin to break down your planning into manageable tasks.
 
Consider Planned Giving Options
 

 
Planned giving is the process of making a significant charitable gift during a donor’s life or at death that is part of his or her financial or estate plan.  Planned gifts make use of legal and tax strategies and/or financial products that generally require donors to turn to professionals for assistance. Planned giving serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, planned gifts help support worthy causes. At the same time, they can be useful in helping individuals make more substantial gifts, as well as address their own financial needs.  

If you believe in The Arc of Northern Virginia and the work we do to support people with disabilities, you may be considering how to make a more substantive contribution to that work.
 

Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!
View Sponsorship Opportunities

Gala sponsors, through their contributions to the event, help ensure that the funds raised from this signature event are maximized to support and expand programs and services to the individuals and families we serve.  It’s also a great way to associate your name with a highly-respected charitable organization and at the same time demonstrate your commitment to serving our community.

Community Calendar Highlights
Integration of Legal and Financial Planning workshop – Wednesday, October 24, 10:00am to 2:30pm, ServiceSource Disability Resource Center, 10467 White Granite Drive, 3rd floor, Oakton VA 22124.  ServiceSource is hosting a free, dual panel presentation on legal and financial planning. The morning session features a panel discussing Legal and Estate Planning.  The afternoon session's presenters will focus on Financial Planning. You can participate in both sessions or select one. A catered lunch from Blossom Daily Café will be offered during the lunch break. RSVP requested by email giving@servicesource.org or call 703-970-3683.

Panel Discussion: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities - Sunday, October 28th, 5:30-7:30pm, Temple Rodef Shalom, 2100 Westmoreland St., Falls Church 22043  All stakeholders and community members are invited to a panel discussion highlighting the benefits for business owners and employees of hiring people of all abilities. Confirmed panelists include: Sarah Jacobs, TRS Member, Women of TRS Board Member, Social Action and Inclusion Committee Member; Tia Marsili, Director of Trusts, The Arc of Northern Virginia; Elizabeth McDonald, TRS Member, Trial Attorney in the Disability Rights Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division; and Sara Portman Milner, LCSW-C, Co-Founder and Director of Student Services – Sunflower Bakery  Sponsored by the TRS Inclusion and Accessibility Committee, the event is free. Click here to RSVP 

My Gym McLean is launching Super Stars, a gym class for children with special needs who enjoy fitness starting Tuesday October 30, 2018. They understand the additional expenses incurred by families with children who have special needs and are offering this class free of charge. My Gym classes present a fun opportunity for your child to enhance his/her motor skills and sensory integration. However, the teachers are not therapists and our classes are in no way intended to replace physical and/or occupational therapy. My Gym will provide an exciting, safe, and structured experience for your child to work on motor needs. Please share with the My Gym instructor any pertinent information about your child's special requirements. They ask that each child be accompanied by a parent or aide on the floor during the class.  For information: www.mygym.com/mclean or (571) 565-3448

Special Needs Housing Workshop - Thursday, November 15th, 7:00–9:00pm, The J, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax.  The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia (the J) and The Washington Group Special Care Planning Team invite you to join them for a workshop on housing for individuals with special needs. One of the greatest needs for individuals with special needs are good residential options. It is often hard to identify what is available or currently being developed. This workshop will feature working housing models, structuring housing in your legal instruments, residential ideas and supports for individuals with special needs. This workshop is open to all at no-cost. Please RSVP to Carey at: 703.865.6502 or calford@financialguide.com
The Arc of Northern Virginia logoFor over 55 years, The Arc of Northern Virginia has worked to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) and actively support their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. 

Today, we serve over 34,000 individuals with ID/DD and their families in the cities and counties of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Falls Church by providing information and referral to help caregivers navigate complex systems through each stage of their loved one’s life; providing financial management through our Special Needs Trust; and advocating on the local and state levels for better funding for the needs of people with disabilities.
Copyright © 2018 The Arc of Northern Virginia, All rights reserved.


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