Compass Newsletter | Achieva

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Compass Newsletter

Bipartisan Interest in Achieva

Bipartisan Interest in Achieva

Achieva has been proud to host two visits from local elected officials, PA Senator Devlin Robinson and PA Representative Nick Pisciottano.

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'50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. It's finally closing.'

'50 years ago this month, we exposed a state institution. It's finally closing.'

"In 1973, Polk State School and Hospital drugged, bound and caged people with intellectual disabilities. We demanded change and helped set the stage for improvements that have endured." A first-person essay by Robert Nelkin in Public Source.

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Act Now: Sign on to Improve Dental Care Access for Pennsylvanians with IDDs

Act Now: Sign on to Improve Dental Care Access for Pennsylvanians with IDDs

Make a difference in dental care inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Pennsylvania. You have the opportunity to support a crucial initiative that would support equitable access to dental care for the 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians with a disability.

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Post-Gazette Pieces Emphasize The Workforce Crisis Hurting People With Disabilities

Post-Gazette Pieces Emphasize The Workforce Crisis Hurting People With Disabilities

The state's budget reveals what the state thinks of people with disabilities and autism. Another budget, another chance to help Pa.'s struggling disability care system.

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Guardianship - Senate Bill 506 is Now Act 61 of 2023!

Guardianship - Senate Bill 506 is Now Act 61 of 2023!

On December 13, 2023, after passage by the General Assembly, SB 506 became Act 61 upon the signature of Governor Shapiro. Act 61 is the result of many years of advocacy by disability and aging advocates (including Achieva) and the bi-partisan leadership of Senator Lisa Baker & Senator Art Haywood.

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Achieva Announced Mary Hartley as New President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh & Achieva Support Welcomes Two New Senior Vice-Presidents

Achieva Announced Mary Hartley as New President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh & Achieva Support Welcomes Two New Senior Vice-Presidents

Mary Hartley will join Achieva on February 12, 2024, just prior to the retirement of her predecessor, Nancy Murray. Court Hower and Kolleen Johnson were recently hired as Senior Vice Presidents for Achieva Support.

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Achieva Extends Condolences on the Passing of Autism Connection of PA Trustee, Janice Bollman

Achieva Extends Condolences on the Passing of Autism Connection of PA Trustee, Janice Bollman

Janice E. Bollman, a trustee on the Autism Connection of PA Board, an affiliate of Achieva, recently passed away. The many friendships she established through her lifetime became just like family to her.

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Achieva Participated in The Arc of the United States National Convention

Achieva Participated in The Arc of the United States National Convention

As a chapter of The Arc, representatives from Achieva attended The Arc's National Convention in New Orleans this week. The annual convention offered opportunities to engage and gain knowledge with other professionals, advocates, people with disabilities, and their families.

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Achieva Honored with 2023 Community Champion Award by UPMC

Achieva Honored with 2023 Community Champion Award by UPMC

On October 25, Achieva accepted the Community Champion Award by UPMC Senior Services and UPMC Western Behavorial Health. The award is given annually to an organization that has shown exceptional organizational leadership to create better communities around the region.

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Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva Announces Planned Retirement of Gary Horner, Executive Vice President and CFO

Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Gary K. Horner, an esteemed leader with a nearly three-decade tenure at the organization.

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Gov. Shapiro Orders Rate Study, But Is It Just Business As Usual?

Gov. Shapiro Orders Rate Study, But Is It Just Business As Usual?

Initial reaction to Governor Shapiro's announcement was very positive because it's rare that a governor will even acknowledge the IDA population, their families, or the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them, much less acknowledge there's a problem finding and keeping DSPs.

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Direct Support Professional Recognition Week - September 10 - September 16, 2023

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week - September 10 - September 16, 2023

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Their dedication and hard work deserve recognition and appreciation.

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Disability Pride: Under the Tent

Disability Pride:  Under the Tent

Disability Pride Pittsburgh | Saturday, August 26, 2023 | 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday's festivities will begin with stage performances, emceed by comedian Gab Bonesso, and a parade around Schenley Plaza at 11 a.m.

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State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

Non-profits like Achieva deliver home and community-based services to people with disabilities because the state has chosen it prefers to pay non-government entities to provide such services rather than having state-owned and operated facilities do it.

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Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Six days late, the legislature passed a state budget - one that had funding cut for services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). The governor's office, calling it "a budget that delivers on Governor Shapiro's key priorities" approves.

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Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray was honored for her advocacy and grassroots impact on the supports and services of people with disabilities. She received the M.J. Bartelmay, Jr. Excellence in Advocacy Award from The Arc of Pennsylvania.

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Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

People with disabilities are one of the largest untapped labor pools in our economy. While the labor participation rate for adults with disabilities is typically half that of those without disabilities, the disability unemployment rate is consistently twice the rate of people without disabilities.

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System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

Health and human services organizations ask General Assembly for $430 million increase to stop further termination of programs, closure of facilities.

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Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

A charitable non-profit corporation like Achieva is constantly thinking about financial resources to sustain its mission and provide high-quality services.

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Transition to Employment Conference

Transition to Employment Conference

Don't Miss the Transition to Employment Conference Sponsored by The Arc Erie County A conference for graduating students, families, transition coordinators, and service coordinators with speakers from Achieva Family Trust and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

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Pittsburgh Promenade A Success

Pittsburgh Promenade A Success

Achieva's annual Pittsburgh Promenade on Saturday, March 25th, commemorated the 25th anniversary of Achieva Family Trust and recognized Richard and Mary Beth McQuillis, siblings who work for Achieva and also received a grant from the Family Trust Charitable Residual Program.

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Shapiro Budget Disappoints

Shapiro Budget Disappoints

Families and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) had hoped the new governor's first state budget proposal would include new funds to cover the higher costs of delivering services due to inflation.

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Achieva Early Intervention's Books at Birth Initiative Expands to AHN Jefferson Hospital

Achieva Early Intervention's Books at Birth Initiative Expands to AHN Jefferson Hospital

Achieva's innovative Books at Birth initiative is now encouraging literacy and caregiver empowerment at a third Pittsburgh-area healthcare facility: Allegheny Health Network's Jefferson Hospital in the South Hills.

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New Chair Takes EFOC Reins

New Chair Takes EFOC Reins

The EFOC was created when Act 36 of 2018 was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Tom Wolf.

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Words Matter

Words Matter

Words matter. The campaign to end the "R" word and using the word "people" instead of "client" may help facilitate change. However, the change is not sustainable if real action is not taken to correct and prevent devaluing systems and beliefs.

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