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News

A collection of newsletters, press releases, and media coverage.

Find out what's happening!

Whether you want to learn what's new in the disability world, hear what others have to say about Achieva, or share Achieva's messaging with your audience, this is the place for you. Read all the latest news, or select the category of your choice to narrow down your search results.
A Message from a Grateful Residual Program Recipient

A Message from a Grateful Residual Program Recipient

Through Achieva Family Trust's Charitable Residual program, one family benefitted from a bathroom remodel that will keep their daughter safe. "Achieva Family Trust made a significant impact on our daily lives and for that I will be forever grateful." Heather Shuker

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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Share Your Story with Your Legislator

Share Your Story with Your Legislator

Nearly 60,000 Pennsylvanians with ID/A are at risk of losing or experiencing a reduction of essential services because there are not enough DSPs to care for them.

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Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Important Observations in May

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) has designated May "Elder Law Month." NAELA members are attorneys who are experienced and trained in working with the legal problems of aging Americans and people of all ages with 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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Dance with Whitney Houston, join the Rainbow Club and land on Mars as VaultArt kicks off its 2023 season

Dance with Whitney Houston, join the Rainbow Club and land on Mars as VaultArt kicks off its 2023 season

VaultArt is a project of Achieva that provides professional-level art instruction and career training to a select group of artists who happen to have disabilities. Several times each year, their work space — in the heart of Garfield's arts district — transforms into a gallery.

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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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College Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Grow With Little Oversight

College Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Grow With Little Oversight

It was never a question of whether Kellyn Donahoe would go to college like her four older siblings. However, when her mother started to look for viable options for her daughter with Down syndrome near their home in northeast Ohio, she was surprised and disappointed...

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Brothers lost in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting remembered for their kindness, love for others

Brothers lost in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting remembered for their kindness, love for others

The Rosenthal Family is sharing cherished pictures and memories of the four siblings: Cecil is the oldest, then Diane, then David, and Michele is the youngest. The sisters are also sharing what they say is their brothers' legacy of genuine kindness and true love for people.

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Pennsylvania launches program to teach students disability inclusion

Pennsylvania launches program to teach students disability inclusion

School districts across the state, including those in Western Pennsylvania, could soon implement new curriculum focusing on political and historical contributions made by people with disabilities.

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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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Ongoing investment in disability services needed to address backlogs, says Achieva vice president

Ongoing investment in disability services needed to address backlogs, says Achieva vice president

On today's episode of The Confluence:The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has an initiative to utilize up to $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to help address gaps in services for residents with autism and intellectual disabilities.

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Life transitions are tough. Achieva is making them easier with this free presentation on March 22.

Life transitions are tough. Achieva is making them easier with this free presentation on March 22.

Charting the Life Course through Life Transitions

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March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

Each March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and our partners work together to create a social media campaign that highlights the many ways in which people with and without disabilities come together to form strong, diverse communities.

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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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Books at Birth aims to make families feel cared for from day one.

Books at Birth aims to make families feel cared for from day one.

Books at Birth ensures that participating families have at least one high-quality children's book - approved by Achieva's EI experts - and monthly emails to help track their babies' development.

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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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Books at Birth Jefferson Launch

Books at Birth Jefferson Launch

Achieva Early Intervention'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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2023 SNAP and Medicaid Updates

2023 SNAP and Medicaid Updates

The Achieva Family Trust Benefits Counseling Program has received calls concerning the 2023 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments. Here is what individuals can expect with each benefit.

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For the bullied, the bullies or the bystanders, this Achieva Advocacy presentation is for you

For the bullied, the bullies or the bystanders, this Achieva Advocacy presentation is for you

Several advocates noted an influx of bullying-related calls, but they weren't all about victims. In some cases, the calls were from concerned loved ones of known — or suspected — bullies.

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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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Western Pa. school staffing shortages leave special education students struggling, families say

Western Pa. school staffing shortages leave special education students struggling, families say

Before bedtime last school year, Melissa Skiffen sat with her son and showed him a picture of the new teacher assistant in his classroom to make him more comfortable with the person who would help him throughout the next day.

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Achieva Family Trust Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Achieva Family Trust Celebrates Silver Anniversary

The Achieva Family Trust is celebrating its 25th Anniversary of serving as corporate trustee for special needs trusts for people with disabilities. A member of the Achieva Family of Organizations, Achieva Family Trust was established in 1998.

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Achieva Family Trust Celebrates 25 Years!

Achieva Family Trust Celebrates 25 Years!

2023 is an exciting year for Achieva Family Trust. It marks our 25th year serving as corporate trustee for special needs trusts for people with disabilities!

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