(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) Tomorrow, Governor Patrick will be at Fenway Park for the ceremonial signing of three pieces of legislation that are intended to make major changes in the care and services for the developmentally … [Read more...]
New DDS eligibility law will leave many out in the cold
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) Like at least two other bills signed into law this month, a new law that will make adults with autism and certain other conditions eligible for services from the Department of Developmental Services was … [Read more...]
Autism definition and commission bill raises some concerns
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) Process does matter, and we have a number of concerns about what happened to the process in the surprise adoption by the state House of Representatives last week of a major piece of legislation … [Read more...]
Compromise bill expands DDS services to some, but not all people with developmental disabilities
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) After months of negotiations with a limited group of advocates for the developmentally disabled, key state legislators have approved a draft of a bill intended to expand services to people who are not … [Read more...]
Thousands falling through the cracks in the DDS system
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) Lauren Baletsa has Prader-Willi Syndrome, a genetic defect that causes such a strong compulsion to overeat that she forged her father's signature on checks to buy food. Baletsa was one of dozens of … [Read more...]
Autism Commission has important recommendations, but funding remains a question
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) A state report released last week contains a number of important recommendations to begin to deal with the yawning gap in services, job opportunities, and housing for what may be the fastest growing … [Read more...]
No media covered this important public hearing yesterday
(Cross-posted from The COFAR Blog) [Note: COFAR sent a notice on Wednesday to media outlets around the state about this public hearing scheduled for Thursday in Worcester. Not one newspaper or TV reporter showed up. This is a … [Read more...]
Gov’s budget would cut homeless, mental health and employment programs
Please take a moment to review the areas of the budget that impact your clients/consumers and advise us as to any other line items in jeopardy that we should be monitoring by emailing Bill Yelenak.This is the first of several … [Read more...]
Building a stronger human service system in Massachusetts
2011-2012 Human Services Legislative AgendaPrior to the 2011-12 legislative session, the Providers' Council surveyed its statewide membership of human services providers about the challenges and opportunities that can be addressed to … [Read more...]
A HUGE Thank You to our legislators for ARICA!
INSURANCE At 5:52PM on Thursday July 29th, ARICA was delivered to Governor Patrick's Office for signature. (That's 54 hours and 8 minutes before the end of the legislative session - for those of you who were counting!) We have so much to … [Read more...]