Achieva | Blog
New Camp Request Deadline
Please note that the due date for camp requests from our Charitable Residual program has been moved up to  APRIL 15, 2025.  Please get your applications for camp requests completed timely to ensure you meet the application deadline!
Stop by our hiring events!
Greensburg: 1.31.25 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM @ 5129 Route 30 Greensburg, PA 15601
Pittsburgh: 2.4.25 from 12:00 - 4:00 PM @  711 Bingham Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203
or apply today!

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.
Upcoming Changes to the ID/A Waiver in Pennsylvania

Upcoming Changes to the ID/A Waiver in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is implementing significant updates to the Intellectual Disabilities and Autism (ID/A) Waiver program, aimed at improving service quality, accessibility, and outcomes for participants.

PA to Invest Nearly $10 Million in Transition Services for PA Students with Disabilities

PA to Invest Nearly $10 Million in Transition Services for PA Students with Disabilities

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry's (L&I) Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) recently announced a $9.9 million federal grant to invest in pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities who are preparing for life after high school.

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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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Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Honoring Cecil and David Rosenthal means learning to #LoveLiketheBoys

Cecil was a greeter at the synagogue each and every Saturday — a role tailor-made for his welcoming spirit, as most will attest. David handed out prayer shawls and Torahs to old friends and new ones - for both boys, there wasn't a difference between the two.

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Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

Achieva Family Trust Recognizes Two Monthly Observances for October

National Special Needs Law Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month

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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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Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Governor Shapiro's Bold commitment to the ID/A community: A beacon of hope

Some battles stretch on for decades in the realm of public advocacy. For people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) and for their families, this has been a harsh reality as they struggle navigating bureaucracy and underfunding.

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Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Building an Estate Plan for Adult Children with Disabilities

Parents of adult children with disabilities know that their child's disability needs may change over the course of their lifetime. Planning for the future well-being of an adult child with disabilities is, therefore, a responsive, ongoing process.

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Achieva Announces Retirement of Nancy Murray, Revered President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

Achieva Announces Retirement of Nancy Murray, Revered President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh

Today, Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Nancy Murray, Senior Vice President of Achieva and President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.

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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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Achieva Provided Over $1.5 Million in Support to Families Through Charitable Programs

Achieva's Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund and Achieva Family Trust's Charitable Residual Program positively impacted 784 families during the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year, making their wants and needs a reality.

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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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Achieva's Two Upcoming Job Fairs Seeking Exceptional Talent

Achieva's Two Upcoming Job Fairs Seeking Exceptional Talent

Achieva Job Fairs

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From park benches to a Lawrenceville apartment, this Achieva supportee puts 'light' in many lives

From park benches to a Lawrenceville apartment, this Achieva supportee puts 'light' in many lives

Ron Abersol sometimes gets to work at Light of Life Rescue Mission two hours before his start time, but he doesn't complain. That's just the way the buses run. You might call him a dedicated employee — and he is — but his uncommon drive comes from an equally uncommon path.

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Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Finds 'Significant Increase' In Kids With Developmental Disabilities

The number of children with developmental disabilities is on the rise with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that nearly 1 in 11 kids are diagnosed with autism, intellectual disability or developmental delay.

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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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Local running store hosts Labor Day race in support of autism nonprofit

Local running store hosts Labor Day race in support of autism nonprofit

Gingerbread Man Running Co., a store for runners with locations in Indiana and Greensburg, has hosted the Run for Autism benefiting Autism Connection of PA since 2018.

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Two Rivers, 30 Minutes

Two Rivers, 30 Minutes

July is Disability Pride Month. How does Achieva help people with disabilities? Who does it serve? What kinds of resources are available for disabled people in Western Pennsylvania?

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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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He's any Achieva janitorial supervisor's secret weapon, and now, he's an award-winner

He's any Achieva janitorial supervisor's secret weapon, and now, he's an award-winner

When Jason DePalma starts work at 9 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday At the Kiski Valley Police barracks, everyone knows it: His positive attitude echoes through the halls as he greets everyone with a cheerful "hello."

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Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Disability Related Home Modifications - How Achieva Family Trust Can Help!

Allegheny County has created a Whole-Home Repairs Program which began taking applications on May 30th, 2023. The program, administered by ACTION-Housing, has $12 million dollars available for grants for eligible Allegheny County homeowners.

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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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Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

Editorial: It's past time to fully fund state disability services

The Arc of Pennsylvania executive director Sherri Landis and The Arc of Pittsburgh president Nancy Murray have been tireless advocates for state funding that acknowledges the dignity of people with ID/A, and the work of those who care for them.

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With PNC Park's new adult-sized changing table, everyone can go -- and stay -- at the ballgame

With PNC Park's new adult-sized changing table, everyone can go -- and stay -- at the ballgame

Jordan is "profoundly affected by autism," which lends to incontinence and the need for an adult-sized changing table to stay anywhere for more than an hour or two. Because of advocacy by @Changing Spaces Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Pirates' dedication to accessibility, PNC Park now has one!

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A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

A mom of children with intellectual disabilities asks: When will it be our turn? | Opinion

Families have become the safety net for the very system that was created to support them. The crisis in the ID/A community is getting worse every day, and we desperately need all of our legislators to make this a funding priority.

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