spring newsletter - the arc of indiana

Vol. 54, No. 1 www.arcind.org Spring 2011

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The Arc News in Indiana

Achieve with us.

While You are Waiting for a Waiver Page 5

2011 Legislative Session Page 6

Grateful Voices Lift Up Affordable Care Act Page 7

The Arc of Indiana�s Invitation � �Achieve with us�The Arc of Indiana is proud to

unveil our new logo and tagline,“Achieve with us.” If you are askingyourself, didn’t The Arc of Indianajust change their logo? The answeris, yes! We updated our look afterour 50th anniversary in 2007. Ournew logo is the result of a compre-hensive year-long brand identity

effort lead by The Arc of the UnitedStates and is being rolled out acrossthe nation.

There are over 700 state and localArc chapters throughout the UnitedStates. If you combine all of TheArcs, we are one of the largest orga-nizations in the country. In fact, weare the largest national community-based organization advocating forand serving people with intellectual

and developmental disabilitiesand their families.

This new look is designed tocommunicate the collectivepower of our group. In the logo’sdesign, you’ll see the energy anddetermination The Arc bringsto supporting and embracingpeople with disabilities and theirfamilies across the arc of theirlifetimes and across many diag-noses from Down syndrome toautism to Fragile X and manymore.

The bold color combination oforange and yellow was chosen spe-cifically because it is unique in therealm of nonprofit organizations,and can be exclusively associatedwith The Arc, much like pink isassociated with breast cancer aware-ness or red with The American RedCross.

As our logo becomes recognizedand promoted on a national level,everyone will benefit as people iden-tify with our shared mission. The

new identity will take us for-ward as a movement andcommand the kind of re-spect and recognition thatour organization deserves.Through the united supportand involvement of ourchapters and members, TheArc speaks with a clear,strong voice that invites allto “Achieve with us.”

Achieve with us.Learning and sharing with one

another is an important part ofThe Arc’s Building Pathways toEmpowerment campaign. Youcan find many ways to connecton The Arc of Indiana’s websiteand our Pathways micro-site.Pathways—www.arcind.org/building_pathways

Innovation. Visit the “Innova-tion” section of our Pathwaysmicro-site to view and uploadvideos, photos and stories aboutinnovative programs, servicesand new ideas. Whether you area provider, family member, aperson with a disability, or anadvocate for people with dis-abilities we welcome you to shareand learn in “Innovation.”

Forums. Our Pathways micro-site offers forums for families,self-advocates and providers.You can share ideas, concerns,solutions or a kind word to sup-port one another. You can starta message topic, review topics,and post comments. Sometimeswe can all feel that we are alonein our journey. Forums providea way to connect with others inthe journey you share.

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The Arc of Indiana Spring 2011

PAGE 2 The Arc News in Indiana

The National Autism Resource & Information Center

A View from MyWindow

Hosted by Michelle Fischer

The Arc of Indiana welcomes you to listen in toA View from My Window, our audiocast hosted byMichelle Fischer.

Visit the Media Gallery on our website,www.arcind.org, to listen to the latest edition andpast broadcasts of A View from My Window,including these recent shows:

• A View from a Pathways Forum• A View from Providers, On the Road

at the INARF Conference• A Pathways Update• A View into The Arc’s New Brand

with The Arc’s CEO Peter Berns• A View from the United Cerebral Palsy

Association of Greater Indiana• A View from Laura LeBlanc of PBS,

Need to KnowYou can also follow Michelle on Facebook. Justsearch for, “A View from My Window withMichelle Fischer.”

Easter Seals and chapters of The Arc.Moreover, it has been declared an officialsport of Special Olympics Indiana, as oneof its twenty-two olympic competitions.

On January 26, 2011 Easter Seals Arcofficially dedicated its main facility at4919 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, asthe Stephen L. Hinkle Building. It wasduring Steve’s administration that thebuilding was purchased in 2005 afterEaster Seals Arc had outgrown its originalhome on the city’s south side. At theceremony Chairman of the Board BillMartin declared,

“To honor his 34 years of dedicatedservice as President of Easter Seals Arcand his lifelong commitment offeringhelp and hope to children and adults withdisabilities by creating solutions thatchanged lives, the main building on thecampus of Easter Seals Arc will be re-named the Stephen L. Hinkle Building.”

The Arc congratulates Steve and offers bestwishes for health, happiness and well-deservedrelaxation in his retirement.

Welcome to Donna ElbrechtAs we say farewell to Steve, we also welcome

Easter Seals Arc’s new president and CEO, DonnaElbrecht. Donna, a Hoosier by birth, began hercareer in the disability field at Easter Seals Iowawhere she served in several positions before be-coming its president. Most recently Donna servedas President/CEO of Lutheran Social Services ofIndiana.

“We are very excited about Donna’s arrival andabout the fresh ideas and perspective that shebrings to the table,” said Bill Martin, chair of theEaster Seals Arc board. “Her leadership and priorEaster Seals and social service background, alongwith her national experience, impressive trackrecord, and enthusiasm for what we do and thepeople we serve, will be an incredible asset to thefurther development of Easter Seals Arc.”

Honoring Steve Hinkle � Leader and Friend of The ArcThe Arc of Indiana honors Steve Hinkle,

leader of Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indianafor 34 years and a great friend to people withintellectual and developmental disabilities, as hemoves on to a new phase of his life and retire-ment.

Over the years Steve has been responsible fordeveloping nine group homes, including thestate’s first group home, and also Arc Industries,now known as Projects Drive Group. Steveplayed a major role in the closing of Fort WayneState Developmental Center. He has workedthroughout his career to advocate for civil rightsfor men and women with intellectual and devel-opmental disabilities. He has increased the num-ber of people served by Easter Seals Arc everyyear for three decades.

More recently, Steve is responsible for bring-ing the art of ballroom dancing to the EasterSeals Arc family, creating “Dancing with TheArc Stars,” a recreational program which nowhas been implemented nationwide at numerous

Steve Hinkle recently retired as President/CEOof Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indiana

Donna Elbrecht, President/CEOof Easter Seals Arc of Northeast Indiana

The Arc of the United StatesLaunches Autism NOW

Regional Summit set forIndianapolis, June 25-26

Autism NOW: the National Autism Resourceand Information Center is a national initiative ofThe Arc dedicated to be the central point of qualityresources and information for individuals withAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and otherdevelopmental disabilities and their families.

A major goal of the Autism NOW Center is toprovide resources and information in core areasacross the lifespan. Focus areas include • EarlyDetection, Intervention, and Education • Transi-tion From High School into Early Adulthood• Community Based Employment • Advocacy ForFamilies and Self-advocates • Community Inclu-sion • Aging Issues • Family and Sibling Support.

The Center is sponsoring a dynamic series ofevents including Regional Autism NOW Summitsin five cities across the United States includingIndianapolis on June 25 & 26, 2011.

The Autism NOW summit events are designedto allow for discussions of autism-related issues,celebrate autism and other developmental disabili-ties and raise awareness.

Free registration for the summit in Indianapoliswill begin May 9, 2011. Visit us at www.arcind.orgfor information and details as they become avail-able. The National Autism Resource and Informa-tion Center is funded by The Administration onDevelopmental Disabilities.


The Arc News in Indiana PAGE 3

Executive Director�s ColumnThe Need forthe Strong Voiceof The ArcAchieve with Us.

There is certainly no shortageof challenges these days facing our state and ourcountry. It often seems that people with disabili-ties and their families are lost in the battles thatbecome louder and angrier. This only underscoresthe need to be united in the effort to be sure thatthe voice of people with disabilities and theirfamilies is heard above the fray. Former Lt. Gov-ernor Kathy Davis says it quite clearly in a videothat is being shared at Regional Pathways Forumswe have been holding around the state. You canview the video by visiting the media gallery on ourwebsite, www.arcind.org.

We are just now coming through the worstrecession that any of us can remember, and theimpact on our schools and programs that supportpeople with intellectual and developmental dis-

abilities has been drastic. Yet people soldier on,doing the very best they can in spite of thesedifficulties.

While policy makers in Washington talk aboutnew rounds of budget cuts to Medicaid that fundmost of what we do in Indiana for adults, families andproviders seek ways to stretch current dollars in everypossible way to serve people in need. Schools havebeen hard hit by funding reductions, but teacherscarry on with their vital work helping students(including one student with Down syndrome whoreceived an A on his regular 4th grade math test, asa proud mom recently shared with me).

As I travel the state, there is a real sense ofurgency that now more than ever we must pulltogether to address these challenges. It is popularto say we need to cut government spending, butfew can define specifically what that means, andeven fewer understand the impact that it will haveon real lives. We need to be ever vigilant to makesure budgets are developed carefully and mind-fully, not with a meat axe. We also need to insist

loudly, with one voice, that there is a better way.It certainly will not be easy in the times ahead. Butas one of our founders said to me years ago, “John,when did you ever think it was easy!”

In this issue you will see a new look for The Arcthat is part of a national effort to make our voice,your voice, more prominent. Recently a majorpublication reported that The Arc is one of thelargest organizations in the country. Our foot-print, as the marketers call it, is larger than anyother disability organization. We are proud thatIndiana is the second largest state chapter of TheArc in the country, second only to New York inthe number of chapters and members. The goal ofour new look is to show the unified strength andvoice of local Arcs, state Arcs and The Arc US.

We will continue to travel the state to informand keep people informed, involved and active.The Arc has never allowed itself to be a victim ofthe times; instead The Arc has worked to shapeand change the times. As the new tagline of ourlogo says, we invite you to join in this effort and“Achieve with us.”

Celebrating Gifts and InnovationAn important focus of the Building Pathways

to Empowerment Campaign is celebrating themany gifts that people with developmental dis-abilities have to offer, as well as the resourcefulnessand creativity of local chapters of The Arc andother providers who work every day to developand implement innovative programs for individu-als in their communities.

Throughout 2011 we are sharing the stories ofthose featured in our 2011 calendar that celebrateboth gifts and innovation.

Marie Ogden, Rest AssuredMarie Ogden is a beautiful young lady who loves

her independence. Eleven years ago Marie sus-tained a traumatic brain injury, but thanks to RestAssured she is able to live semi-independently.

Rest Assured is a real time, web-based staffsupport system with two-way communication.Support is accomplished through the creative useof an interactive, web-based program. Marie alsoreceives residential supports through Assisted Liv-

ing Services and works for Greenbush Industries,a division of Wabash Center.

Rest Assured helps keep her safe and securewith quick access to supports when needed. Learnmore about Rest Assured by visitingwww.RestAssuredSystems.com

Dane Cochran, Noble of IndianaAt seven years old, Dane Cochran bounces with

enthusiasm – especially if there is music playing inthe background. Playing along with Bongo Boysmusic activities at Noble of Indiana’s Social SkillsAutism camp was one of Dane’s favorite activitiesthis past summer. Because of his love of art, he alsohad a great time at Noble’s summer Art Camp.

Dane does not let his diagnosis of Asperger’ssyndrome slow him down. Along with playingwith friends, he enjoys singing, building things,reading and playing pretend.

Noble/The Arc of Greater Indianapolis is thelocal chapter of The Arc in Marion and HamiltonCounties. Learn more about Noble by visitingwww.nobleofindiana.org

Bill Mason, Janus DevelopmentalServices

Bill Mason is a creative person with a wonderfulsense of humor. Bill comes to Janus Developmen-tal Services’ work experience program every workday, where he enjoys creating art in the “HiddenTalents” program. This entrepreneurial programprovides experiences that support the interests ofindividuals with disabilities. Entrepreneurs learnhow to create a quality line of gift products andwork with business professionals to market andsell their products. Among the items Bill producesare beautiful gourd birdhouses.

Bill’s generous donation of a birdhouse to TheArc’s 2010 online auction led to a contribution of$25 from the winning bidder to support the workof The Arc.

Janus Developmental Services/The Arc of NorthCentral Indiana is the local chapter of The Arc inHoward and Tipton Counties. Learn more aboutJanus Developmental Services by visitingwww.janus-inc.org.

John Dickerson



Last spring, The Arc of Indiana began a cam-paign, “Building Pathways to Empowerment,” totake a fresh look at Indiana’s system of programsand services for people with developmental dis-abilities and their families; and begin to redesignand redefine that system into one that providespeople with what they want and need in the mostsensible way possible.

As part of that process, The Arc has held forumsthroughout the state to gather local input.TheDecatur County ARC, Evansville ARC, The Arcof Vigo County, Stone Belt Arc, The Arc ofTippecanoe County and Arc BRIDGES recentlyhosted Regional Forums for the Building Path-ways to Empowerment Campaign.

Self-advocates, family members and profes-sionals have gathered at each forum to discuss keyinitiatives developed by the Big Minds Group – agroup of national leaders in the field of disabilities:

Supporting work – from paid to volunteerDiscovering and realizing individuals’ giftsSupporting resourcefulness of individuals,

families and communitiesUsing what you needShifting the power to what worksThe stories that have been shared are inspira-

tional and the ideas generated are forward think-ing and exactly what we need at this critical time.However, one of the best outcomes of the forumshas been watching everyone join together to helpand support each other.

During one discussion, a direct support profes-sional mentioned a self advocate who wanted to bea chef and she was wondering how to support thatgoal. One person remembered the name of abusiness where you assemble your own dinners tofreeze, another person used her Blackberry to findthe location and phone number and the DSP hada new contact to try the next day.

During another forum, a group of parentsdiscussing Supporting Resourcefulness of Indi-viduals, Families and Communities had formed anew support group by the end of the evening.

Regional Pathway Forums Bring Fresh, Inspiring Ideas for Change

To help celebrate Disability Awareness Month in March, Evansville Mayor Jonathan Weinzapfel read to children in thepreschool classes at Evansville ARC�s Child Life Center. Deidra Conner, President of Evansville ARC, is seated to MayorWeinzapfel�s left. The Child Life Center is a NAEYC accredited, inclusive learning center that provides services to allchildren ages six weeks to six years, including those with special needs.

They planned to meet weekly to have a cup ofcoffee and share ideas and resources with eachother.

When you are discussing billion dollar pro-grams, it’s easy to try to come up with grand ideasthat save millions. The forums have also remindedeveryone that the even the smallest things canmake a difference.

Two self advocates were discussing the idea of“using what you need.” At first they didn’t sup-port the idea because of the fear of losing every-thing. A direct support professional at the tableexplained that it could be something as simple assharing a staff person one afternoon a week so thatsomeone else could have a staff person. They weresold and said they would be willing to give up acouple of afternoons to help someone else.

All of the terrific ideas will be compiled andused by the Indiana Response Team (see storybelow) to further the five initiatives. This group isworking hard to produce an action plan whichwill be unveiled at The Arc of Indiana stateconference on November 1, 2011.

If you were unable to attend one of the forumsor have additional ideas to share, please go to the“Innovation” page of our Pathways website:www.arcind.org/building_pathways You can alsoask questions and exchange information in ourSelf-Advocate, Family and Professional forums,also located on the Pathways website.

Additional forums are being scheduled. Watchfor more information in “News and Events” onour website: www.arcind.org

Next Steps in Building Pathways to Empowerment � the Indiana Response Team

When The Arc of Indiana launched the Build-ing Pathways to Empowerment campaign lastspring, our first step was to form the Big MindsGroup, made up of 20 of the smartest people inthe field of developmental disabilities fromaround the country, who developed the broadbrush strokes of a new pathway for Indiana. NextThe Arc created The Indiana Response Team totake these big ideas and turn them into doableplans. No small task.

At work since December, the people on theIndiana Response Team (IRT) are family mem-

bers, self-advocates, professionals and businesspeople. They are focusing their work on the fivemajor themes that came out of the Big MindsGroup: Employment/Career Paths, UtilizingGifts, Supporting Resourcefulness, Shifting thePower, and Using What You Need. The IRT hasdeveloped three work groups to organize aroundthese areas: Research, Employment, and Com-munication. Each group is hard at work.

In one area, employment, the team has alreadymade concrete recommendations to FSSA thatwould streamline and allow greater flexibility in

putting people to work using the MedicaidWaiver. By following this recommendation,FSSA could save an estimated 200,000 admin-istrative steps per year that would make theprocess of responding to the employment/ca-reer path goals of individuals more accessibleand affordable.

We will share the plan that comes out of theIRT at our November 1, 2011 Conference andAppreciation Luncheon. We hope you will bethere for an exciting day as we share and learn howwe truly can build a pathway to empowerment.



When our son, Tommy, com-pleted high school last May and wefound that he was not yet targetedfor the Support Services (SS) Waiver,we had to come up with some cre-ative solutions to keep him active,engaged, connected and contribut-ing to the community. The firstquestion we asked ourselves was:“What would Tommy be doing andwhere would he be spending histime if he did not have a disability?”We tried to keep these answers inmind as we searched our commu-nity for opportunities.

Swim Team Membership Leads toPart-time Summer Job Tommy hadbeen a member of the swim team asa student at Our Lady of ProvidenceHigh School, and was very fortu-nate to be offered a part-time paidsummer job by the swim coach whowas director of a local aquatics cen-ter. When summer break began,Tommy worked at the pool everyTuesday and Thursday alongsideseveral other students he knew fromhis high school, providing him withnatural supports and much neededsocial interaction. We learned thatTommy was eligible for the door-to-door public transportation sys-tem, so we took advantage of theopportunity for him to take anotherstep towards independence by learn-ing to ride the bus by himself to hisjob at the pool.

High School Community Job Place-ment, Interest in Theater, Leads toWork as Theater Volunteer As ahigh school student, one of Tommy’scommunity job placements was at alocal dinner theatre, helping to set upthe tables for the Wednesday mati-nee. Theatre is his passion, so this wasalways a fun and stimulating envi-ronment for him. Tommy was al-ready familiar with the dinner theatresince he attended often as a patronand had also watched his older brotherperform there years earlier. The ownerof the theatre enjoyed spending timewith Tommy each week. After theschool year ended, she graciouslyagreed to let him continue to volun-teer under her supervision for anhour every Wednesday.

High School Community Job Place-ment Leads to Work as YMCAVolunteerAnother of Tommy’s highschool community job placementswas at the local YMCA, spending anhour straightening up around the

pool area. We asked the Y if he couldcontinue to do this job as a volun-teer after the school year ended, andthey agreed. Since school personnelwere no longer available to accom-pany him to the Y, the teacher whomwe had hired as a tutor during hisschool years gladly accepted the chal-lenge of switching over from tutorto “job coach.” Every Thursday shepicked him up when he finished hispaid job at the aquatics center, trans-ported him to the Y and supervisedhis volunteer work there.

Friendships—Just Hanging Outwith the Guys Since Tommy did nothave any activities scheduled on Mon-days, we decided to hire one of thestudents from his graduating class tohang out at the YMCA with him forfour hours; swimming, eating lunch,exercising on the machines and run-ning/walking on the track. Tommyenjoyed his time “hanging out withthe guys,” and sometimes they werejoined by another student from theirclass as well.

High School Transition Plan Leadsto Work as Adult High SchoolVolunteer When the summer job atthe aquatics center ended and schoolbegan again in the fall, we imple-mented a plan that we had designedat his final case conference. We knewthat the transition from high schoolstudent to working adult was goingto be difficult, so we devised a planto keep him connected to his highschool community by setting himup as a lunch room and bookstorevolunteer on Thursday mornings.He was already “trained” in the lunchroom job since he had worked thereseveral days a week as a student. Asan adult volunteer, however, he

would now eat lunch with the adultsand wear a staff name tag, which tohim became a symbol of his transi-tion to an adult worker.

“Transition Pals” Leads to Volun-teer Work at Local College WhenTommy’s high school friends leftfor college in the fall, he no longerhad the opportunity to hang outwith them at the Y on Mondays.During his senior year of high school,he had participated in a “TransitionPals” program at our local collegewhere he would spend an hoursocializing on campus with a stu-dent majoring in special education.The teacher supervising the pro-gram offered to let Tommy dovolunteer work in her office for anhour on Mondays, shredding paperand lifting heavy boxes of books.Students often stopped by her of-fice, giving him a chance to meetsome new college peers.

Grade School Connection, Volun-teer Helpers, Leads to VolunteerWork at Former Grade School Dur-ing Tommy’s high school years hehad maintained his connections withhis Catholic grade school, so we ap-proached the cafeteria supervisorabout an opportunity for him tovolunteer in the lunch room. Sheagreed to let him come in on Tuesdaymornings, but with a small staff, she

could not provide him with trainingand supervision. To solve that prob-lem, we lined up three different vol-unteers from the parish who knewTommy. One had directed theChristmas youth choir when Tommysang as an 8th grader. Another was avolunteer when Tommy had attendedyouth group as a high school student.And the third volunteer, an occupa-tional therapist who was now stayinghome with her young children, knewTommy from church. The occupa-tional therapist designed his job tasks,and the three of them took turnstraining and supervising his work inthe cafeteria each week.

Vocational Rehabilitation Leads toPaid Employment Meanwhile,Tommy had applied for vocationalrehabilitation services before exitinghigh school, and his employmentcoach was in the process of job search-ing for him. Tommy had indicatedto us that he would like to “help thekids” in the Childwatch area at theYMCA. Many of the YMCAemployees already knew Tommy asa volunteer and member who workedout regularly. When we contactedthe Y director to ask if employmentmight be an option, he was veryopen to the possibility. The job coachbegan discussions with theChildwatch supervisor, who alsobrought the housekeeping directorin on the plan. They designed awork schedule for several hours onMondays that involved some clean-ing jobs along with helping out inChildwatch. Tommy was now earn-ing a paycheck again, and doing ajob that he had chosen himself.

Tommy has been given many op-portunities to enrich his life andkeep him connected to his commu-nity. We believe that our persistencein keeping him involved, includedand well-known in the communitythroughout his life resulted in manyof these doors opening for him.People who already knew him weremuch more likely to give him achance than those who had neverhad personal contact with him.While we are looking forward to thewaiver services filling in some of thegaps in Tommy’s days, we feel thatour creative solutions have broughtmeaning and personal fulfillment tohis life, and have helped him copepositively during this major transi-tion period.

Waiting for a Waiver; Our Successful Search for Creative Solutions Anne Steiner, Floyds Knobs



The 2011 session of the IndianaGeneral Assembly has been the mostcontentious in decades, dominatedby the House Democrats walk outand encampment in Urbana, Illi-nois. Throughout the session, TheArc has worked to ensure that theneeds of people with intellectualand developmental disabilities arenot lost amongst the many highprofile issues that have been thefocus of the legislative session. AsThe Arc News in Indiana goes topress, following is a summary of thestatus of the biennial budget andkey legislative issues.

Biennial BudgetMedicaid Waivers

Modest growth will be allowed inthe Medicaid waiver program. TheDivision of Disability and Rehabili-tative Services (DDRS) has statedthat the allocation for waivers willallow approximately 2000 people tomove into services over the next twoyears. This growth will be for peopleneeding emergency or priority sta-tus waivers, people transitioning outof state operated facilities (peoplewith a dual diagnosis who currentlyreside in state mental health facili-ties), and some movement off of thewaiting list. Medicaid waiver fund-ing, including funds to move peopleoff waiting lists, continues to be apriority of The Arc.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Throughout the legislative ses-sion, The Arc of Indiana has pressedlawmakers to fund vocational reha-bilitation at a level that will allowIndiana to draw down the fullamount in federal match funds thatare available to Indiana. As we go topress, an additional $3.25 million isneeded in the budget line item tofully fund vocational rehabilitationservices. DDRS has stated that theyare working to find other existingresources to draw down the full fed-eral match. The Arc of Indiana willcontinue to work with lawmakersand DDRS to make sure that Indi-ana does not leave any money on thetable for vocational rehabilitationservices.

Public Mass Transit

When the biennial budget passedout of the House Ways and MeansCommittee, the bill was amended toreduce state funding of public trans-

The Arc Works to Bring Attention to Needs of People with I/DD During 2011 Session

portation. The Public Mass TransitFund supports people with develop-mental disabilities with their trans-portation needs. Transportation is veryimportant to people with intellectualand other developmental disabilitieswho need transportation to fully par-ticipate in their local communities.They depend on public transporta-tion to get to and from jobs, medicalappointments and local businesses.The loss of public transportation canturn into the loss of jobs, further esca-lating the unemployment rate forpeople with developmental disabili-ties which is already a staggering 78%.As we go to press, The Arc continuesto work to restore funding to thePublic Mass Transit Fund.

EducationThe Arc of Indiana worked

throughout the legislative process tomake sure that students with dis-abilities have the same opportunitiesas students without disabilities in thediscussion around school choice. Stu-dents with disabilities should not beturned away from a school becausethey may need some additional re-sources to achieve educationalprogress.

HB 1002—Charter Schools. Rep-resentative Brian Bosma (R-Indiana-polis). Allows charter schools to optin to the state health insurance plans.Establishes the charter school boardas a statewide sponsor of charterschools.

HB 1003—School Scholarships.Representative Bob Behning (R-In-dianapolis). Increases the schoolscholarship tax credits that may beawarded for donations to a scholar-ship granting organization. Allowsscholarship granting organizations togrant scholarships to families withincome that is not more than 250%of the amount required for the indi-vidual to qualify for the federal freeor reduced priced lunch program.Provides scholarships to low incomestudents to pay the costs of tuitionand fees at a public or private el-ementary school or high school thatcharges tuition.

HB 1341—Special EducationGrants. Representative Bob Behning(R-Indianapolis). Requires a schoolcorporation, including a charterschool, to expend a proportionateshare of its state special educationgrant on providing special educationservices to parentally placednonpublic school students with dis-abilities.

HB 1429—Textbooks and otherCurricular Material. RepresentativeDavid Yarde (R-Garrett). Expandsthe definition of textbook to includecertain hardware, software and digi-tal content.

First Steps, Guardianship,Audit Requirements

SB 88—Various Health Issues(First Steps). Senator Connie Lawson

(R-Danville). Renames the commis-sion on mental health to the com-mission on mental health andaddiction. Makes numerous changesto the commission. Redefines theservices provided by communitymental health centers.

SB 88 was amended in the Houseto also include language regardingthe First Steps program, includinglanguage that will allow the divisionon disability and rehabilitation ser-vices to work with third party payorsto negotiate reimbursement for earlyintervention services. Language wasalso amended into the bill that setsup a tax-intercept program for fami-lies who fall 60 days delinquent onpaying their copayments for FirstSteps services. Language was alsoinserted into the bill that will nolonger allow DDRs to terminate ser-vices to a child whose family is morethan 60 days in arrears of payingtheir copayments for the program.

The Arc has worked hard through-out the legislative session to assurechildren in need of early interventionservices through First Steps are notharmed by changes to the First Stepsprogram.

HB 1047—Study Audit Require-ments for Service Providers. Repre-sentative Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville). Requires the Division ofDisability and Rehabilitative Ser-vices to conduct a study on thenumber of types of audits and sur-veys required of entities providingservices for which the division paysand to report back to the DD Com-mission by September 1, 2011. Pro-viders of services to people withI/DD sometimes must comply withmultiple and duplicative audits. Thisbill, supported by The Arc, is anattempt to begin to streamlineaudits, freeing up administrativecosts faced by agencies to allow asmuch funding as possible to be usedto serve people with I/DD.

HB 1055—Adult Guardianshipsand Protective Proceedings. Repre-sentative Ralph Foley (R-Martin-sville). Enacts the uniform adultguardianship and protective proceed-ings jurisdiction act. Governs issuesconcerning original jurisdiction, reg-istration, transfer, and out-of-stateenforcement of guardianships andprotective orders appointed or issuedfor adults. Changes the duration of atemporary guardianship from 60 to90 days.

Left: Representative Ed Clere (R-New Albany) andChrista Dismore, Self-Advocate for The Arc Networkat The Arc of Indiana�s annual Valentine�s Dayevent at the State House.

Above: Stone Belt Arc, local chapter of The Arc inMonroe County, met with area legislators, includingSenator Vi Simpson�long-time supporter of The Arcand an advocate for people with intellectual anddevelopmental disabilities.

Over 100 family members, self-advocates and Arc leaders came to the State House on February 10,2011 to deliver Valentines to their legislators with the message, �Open Hearts. Open Communities.�



March 23rd marked the one-year anniversaryof the signing of the Affordable Care Act. Manyorganizations representing people with disabili-ties, including The Arc, supported its passagebecause of the multiple benefits it offers to peoplewith disabilities including:

• Ending discrimination in health insuranceagainst people with disabilities and peoplewith pre-existing health conditions

• Expanding private health insurancecoverage and Medicaid

• Creating new options for long term servicesand supports and improved prevention andpublic health programs

To help celebrate the anniversary, Family VoicesIndiana recently called on families to share theirstories on how the ACA has made a difference intheir lives. Two of The Arc of Indiana’s FamilyAdvocates for The Arc Network, Heather Daneand Jennifer Akers, shared their stories, which wehave reprinted here with permission from FamilyVoices.

Heather Dane, IndianapolisThe difference the Affordable Care Act makes

to my family is insurmountable. Both of mychildren have neurological disorders which notonly affect their development but their overallhealth. Because of ACA my husband and I are freeto explore career opportunities without havingthe fear of losing health coverage for our children.Each hospital stay is no longer further compli-cated and stressed with the fear that this may bethe visit that gets us to the lifetime max. We nolonger have to ask ourselves, “What will we do

when they no longer have health coverage?” ACAhas given my family a piece of mind that no otherrecent legislation has been able to give.

Jennifer Akers, Westfield

I used to think America’s health care system wasfine. I was single, with a teaching job, with goodbenefits. In fact, I wished that I had more moneyin my pocket as opposed to the health insurance Iaccessed maybe once a year. That all changedwhen I became a mother...

Despite doing everything right during my preg-nancy, my child was born with two rare geneticsyndromes. As she struggled to survive, my hus-band and I struggled to figure out how we weregoing to meet her long term needs. She wasapproaching half of our lifetime cap for privateinsurance before we even got to take her homefrom the hospital. And when she did come home,we still had out of pocket costs for specializedformula, specialized equipment, etc. Adding toour financial stress was the fact that I needed toquit my job in order to take care of Grace.

Fortunately, in her first year of life, a socialworker helped us obtain the Aged and Disabledwaiver under Indiana’s home and communitybased services program. It allowed her to accessMedicaid Disability, even though our income ofone teacher’s salary had made her previously ineli-gible. Medicaid paid for home nursing, enteralnutrition, assistive technology, incontinence prod-ucts and many other services that our privateinsurance would not cover. The waiver providedmuch needed nursing-level respite for us.

We still worried about maintaining creditablecoverage so she had access to private insuranceeven with her pre-existing conditions. Anythoughts of my husband changing jobs were al-ways dominated by what the private insurancebenefits would be for Grace. We still struggled topay for her other expenses…and we were lucky.Most families are still waiting for Home andCommunity Based Services. Indiana has waitinglists for most services. Middle class families findthat they make too much money for many pro-grams because the programs never consider thecosts of raising a child with a disability.

I imagine many of you will read this and bethankful that this doesn’t resemble your life. I amglad it doesn’t…for now. Most of us will experi-ence some level of disability in our lifetime, evenif it’s just through aging. We’re saving the statemoney by caring for our child at home instead ofplacing her in a nursing home or institution. I’malso certain she’s an asset to society because she’sreceived the supports she needs to thrive.

The Affordable Care Act provides states withcritical new dollars toward achieving a goal ofsupporting everyone who can live at home or incommunity-based living the supports to do so.We hope this means that no matter where we livein the U.S., Grace can have access to what sheneeds without waiting years for it to be available.

Family Voices Indiana is the Family Voices stateaffiliate organization. Family Voices of Indianashares advocacy opportunities and updated informa-tion on issues that impact Indiana families of chil-dren with disabilities or special needs. Learn more byvisiting http://fvindiana.blogspot.com/

Grateful Voices Lift Up Affordable Care Act



Date Set for2011 GolfOuting

Plan Now to Attend SteveGreen�s 22nd Annual GolfOuting to Benefit The Arc.

Former Indiana Pacer and I.U.basketball star Steve Green will onceagain host this year’s charity golfouting to benefit The Arc of Indianaon Friday, June 17. You won’t wantto miss this fun-filled day designedfor golfers of all abilities.

We are excited to announce anew location this year – Eagle CreekGolf Club in Indianapolis. EagleCreek offers two 18-hole coursesand a central location with easyaccess to Interstate 65. The officialgolf course of the Indianapolis Colts,Eagle Creek Golf Club is consis-tently ranked as one of the top pub-lic golf courses in the state. Thisyear’s golfers will be able to choosethe course they want to play.

The day will include lunch, 19th

hole refreshments and a chance towin a car. On-line registration beginsMay 1. For information please con-tact Jill Vaught at 317-977-2384 [email protected].

Experience a NewWay of Meeting

The COVOH LabThe Arc of Indiana is pleased to offer a new service fororganizations and businesses that helps groups interact,create, innovate and make decisions effectively and effi-ciently. The COVOH Collaborative Work Lab is aninnovative system that provides a streamlined meetingformat.

Designed to enhance the productivity level of groupmeetings, an experienced facilitator leads groups throughstructured discussions to capture creative thinking andmaximize the contributions of each member. Each ses-sion is individually tailored to fit the needs of the groupand accomplish their personal goals.

The COVOH lab is ideal for any group and can be usedfor strategic planning, project evaluation, surveys, mak-ing policy recommendations, developing curriculum,evaluating candidates for employment, grant writing,focus groups, board development and so much more.

To schedule a demonstration, pleasecontact Jill Vaught at 317-977-2384 or

[email protected]

The Arc Newsin Indiana

107 N. Pennsylvania St.Suite 800

Indianapolis, IN 46204

317-977-2375800-382-9100

www.arcind.org

If your loved one receives services from Indiana’sDevelopmental Disabilities Waiver, Autism Waiver orSupport Services Waiver, The Arc of Indiana can helpease and support the process of receiving Family andCaregiver Training.

Under Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver program anyonewho has a Developmental Disabilities Waiver, SupportServices Waiver or Autism Wavier can spend up to$2,000 of their waiver budget per year for Family andCaregiver Training. These funds can be used to providetraining and education to parents, family members ornon-paid caregivers in a variety of areas. Examples

include workshops, conferences, marriage and familycounseling, or how to develop an individualized sup-port plan. Family and Caregiver Training funds canhelp families and caregivers better meet the needs oftheir loved one.

The Arc’s Family and Caregiver Training ServicesProgram allows The Arc to pay for the upfront costs andthen seek Medicaid reimbursement. Our goal is to easethe process of receiving the Family and Caregiver Train-ing you want and need.

Learn more by visiting us at www.arcind.org/caregivers,or contact us at 317-977-2375 or 800-382-9100.

Family and Caregiver Training Services

spring newsletter - the arc of indiana

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