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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

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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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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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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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 | PennLive Editorial

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

Families of people with disabilities are pleading with Gov. Tom Wolf and the legislature to help. They are asking them to work together to raise the wages of the DSPs.

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Low pay is causing a staffing crisis for disability care. Advocates say Pa.'s plan to raise wages isn't enough

Low pay is causing a staffing crisis for disability care. Advocates say Pa.'s plan to raise wages isn't enough

Pennsylvania is facing a dire shortage of direct support professionals who help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities bathe, get dressed, eat, exercise, socialize, and perform many other fundamental tasks.

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Reflections on 2021

Reflections on 2021

As we continue with our preparations for celebrating the holiday season, I want to take a look back at 2021 before we close the door on it and welcome in 2022.

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Feds approve Pennsylvania's plan to distribute more than $1 billion in pandemic funds for Medicaid services

Feds approve Pennsylvania's plan to distribute more than $1 billion in pandemic funds for Medicaid services

The state's plan for the money focuses on increasing access to home and community-based services and staffing for those services. Addressing staff recruitment and retention is key, said Nancy Murray, president of the Arc of Greater Pittsburgh and senior vice president at Achieva.

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Social Security, SSI Benefits Set To Increase

Social Security, SSI Benefits Set To Increase

People with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income and other Social Security benefits are set to see the biggest rise in their monthly payments since 1982. The change is the result of an automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, which is tied to inflation.

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State officials must work to avert collapse of intellectual disability/autism system

Latrobe Bulletin (Editorial by Nancy Murray, President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh)

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October is National Special Needs Law Month

October is National Special Needs Law Month

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has designated October as "National Special Needs Law Month." In honor of National Special Needs Law Month, Achieva Family Trust would like to take this opportunity to remind readers of the importance of future planning for individuals with disabilities.

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'We're beginning to see the collapse of the system': agencies that serve people with disabilities call for more funds to pay staff

'We're beginning to see the collapse of the system': agencies that serve people with disabilities call for more funds to pay staff

WESA FM (Nancy Murray, president of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh and senior vice president at Achieva is quoted)

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Advocates say low pay and unreliable funding is putting intellectual disability system at risk of collapse

WITF

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