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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

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Our caring staff of Trust Administrators and Regional Trust Liaisons all have significant experience in the social service field, including supporting people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Mental Health diagnoses.

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The Arc Erie County To Host May Conference

The Arc Erie County To Host May Conference

Join The Arc Erie County (PA), for a Spring Conference on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This virtual event is geared towards families of children and adults with disabilities, educators, service and support coordinators, and home and community-based service providers.

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Advocates push for more state funds for disability services and higher wages for workers

Advocates push for more state funds for disability services and higher wages for workers

Advocates for people with disabilities are pushing for additional millions in the Commonwealth's budget in the next fiscal year to raise wages and shore up staffing for home and community-based services.

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College programs for students with disabilities are growing in Western PA, but some have faced challenges

College programs for students with disabilities are growing in Western PA, but some have faced challenges

As their peers without disabilities graduate high school and embark on college journeys, students in these programs are able to follow a similar path.

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Benefits Counseling - Complicated, But Worth It

Benefits Counseling - Complicated, But Worth It

This past week, the Pennsylvania Employment First Oversight Commission (EFOC)* held its second meeting of 2022. The EFOC spent a lot of time during its meeting discussing Benefits Counseling.

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New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

Social Security Administration (SSA) has just released a new online tool to allow individuals to notify SSA that they want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It can be found on the SSA website, www.SSA.gov.

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Count The Trout At Wholey's: Raising Money For Achieva Of Pennsylvania

Count The Trout At Wholey's: Raising Money For Achieva Of Pennsylvania

KDKA-TV Wholey's in the Strip District is raising money and rewarding one winner with a gift card if they can guess the number of fish in the live tank.

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Return To In-Person Promenade A Success!

Return To In-Person Promenade A Success!

Achieva's biggest fundraising event, the Pittsburgh Promenade, raised more than $152,000 to support people with disabilities and their families. 230 guests were welcomed to "set sail with Achieva" during the tropical-themed event (the first in-person Promenade held since March 2019), hosted by WTAE'

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On A Positive Note: Lesson In Kindness From Mt. Lebanon School District Students

On A Positive Note: Lesson In Kindness From Mt. Lebanon School District Students

Sixth-grader Holden Frye returned to his elementary school, Hoover Elementary, to read his new book "The Spot" to students during an assembly. It's the highlight of the school's celebration of inclusion.

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Awareness

Awareness

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This is something politicians do every year, passing resolutions or signing proclamations that say all the right things but do they make much difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families?

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10-Year-Old Pittsburgh Native Writes Children's Book Book about Inclusion and Diversity published by Pennsylvania Non-Profit

10-Year-Old Pittsburgh Native Writes Children's Book Book about Inclusion and Diversity published by Pennsylvania Non-Profit

Pittsburgh, PA - After a Mikayla's Voice inclusion assembly at Hoover Elementary School, 10-year-old Holden Frye was inspired to write a children's fiction book about the non-profit's logo, a ladybug with one yellow spot. Dot is a "teenage ladybug with a cool and different look, and life is good...

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March is National Disability Awareness Month

March is National Disability Awareness Month

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).

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Achieva's Signature Event Returns to In-Person

Achieva's Signature Event Returns to In-Person

The "Pittsburgh Promenade" - Achieva's annual charity auction and gala - is returning this month as an "in-person" event at the downtown Pittsburgh Westin Hotel.

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Budget Ball Now In Legislature's Court

Budget Ball Now In Legislature's Court

Low rates paid by state government and its failure to increase rates in a timely and consistent manner are nothing new, but this year things are different.

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The Arc Erie County Appoints Key Employees

The Arc Erie County Appoints Key Employees

Erie, PA (2/10/2022) - The Arc Erie County (PA) is pleased to announce the addition of two employees tasked with sustaining and building upon its mission of advocacy and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

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Jillian Zacks honored with Shore-Whitehill Award

Jillian Zacks honored with Shore-Whitehill Award

The award, given annually by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and Jewish Residential Services, celebrates volunteers who promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the fabric of Jewish life through advocacy or direct service to those individuals and their families.

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Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program

Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program

If you are concerned about how your employment income may affect your government benefits, we can help. Discover how Achieva Family Trust Employment Benefits Counseling Program can assist you to achieve your employment goals.

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Proposed Rates Fail "Employment First" - Fail People with Disabilities

Proposed Rates Fail "Employment First" - Fail People with Disabilities

Achieva Compass Newsletter. A message from Steve Suroviec, President and CEO. In late December, the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) proposed new rates for all of its community-based services. In a macro-sense, the ODP proposal simply provides too little funding.

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Commentary : We're the Pa. moms of disabled kids. We have some questions for Gov. Wolf

Commentary : We're the Pa. moms of disabled kids. We have some questions for Gov. Wolf

Gov. Wolf, tens of thousands of families of people with intellectual disabilities and autism look forward to hearing answers to these questions.

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IRS Raises Limit For ABLE Accounts

IRS Raises Limit For ABLE Accounts

For the first time in four years, the amount of money that people with disabilities can save without jeopardizing eligibility for government benefits is rising. Starting this month, the Internal Revenue Service said that the federal gift tax exclusion is growing from $15,000 to $16,000 annually.

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Achieva Announces Partnership Between Erie and Pittsburgh Sites

Southwestern Pennsylvania-based Achieva, a disability advocacy and service organization, has announced its affiliation of The Arc Erie County with The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, a member of the Achieva Family of Organizations.

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Achieva and The Arc Erie County Announce Affiliation

Achieva and The Arc Erie County Announce Affiliation

Southwestern Pennsylvania-based Achieva, a disability advocacy and service organization, is excited to announce the affiliation of The Arc Erie County (PA) with The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh, a member of the Achieva Family of Organizations.

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Achieva and The Arc Erie County Announce Affiliation

Achieva and The Arc Erie County Announce Affiliation

The Arc Erie County will operate as a subsidiary of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.

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New Year, New Website.

New Year, New Website.

Pittsburgh, PA (January 5, 2022) - Achieva, a leading provider of lifelong comprehensive services for people with disabilities and their families, is proud to announce the launch of its newly redesigned website.

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Gov. Wolf and the legislature must raise wages now for home workers caring for people with disabilities

Gov. Wolf and the legislature must raise wages now for home workers caring for people with disabilities

Everyone's dealing with something during this pandemic, but thousands of parents caring for children with physical or intellectual disabilities are facing a catastrophic crisis. Families of people with disabilities are pleading with Gov. Tom Wolf and the legislature to help.

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