March 2009 Newsletter
Capitol Day
The Arc of the Capital Area visited the Capitol on Tuesday, March 10 to meet with legislative staffers in support of The Arc of Texas Legislative Platform for the 81st Texas Legislature. "The majority of staffers seemed sincerely receptive, and asked relevant questions," said Melissa Rizzo, Manager of CLASS Case Management Services.
The Arc of the Capital Area staff lobbying legislators included: Susan Eason, Executive Director; Melissa Rizzo, Manager of CLASS Case Management Services; Susi Sirianni, Family Advocate; John Norton, Adult Case Management; and CLASS Case Managers Donna Angers, Erin Hazel, Kaili Goslant, Dawn McNair, Johanna Pina, and Marie Stewart, and CLASS Administrative Assistant, Mirella Perez.
Some of the pending legislation discussed included House Bill (HB) 785, which would assist persons with disabilities in obtaining and maintaining meaningful employment in an integrated setting. HB 1317 would allow the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect in community based Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation (ICFs/MR). It would also establish an office of Ombudsman for state school residents, designate one state school for "alleged offenders" and address other reforms to the state school system.
The purpose of HB 1454 by Rep. Elliott Naishtat is to establish a volunteer-supported decision-making advocate pilot program for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and persons with other cognitive disabilities. The pilot program would provide support to enable persons to make life decisions such as where they want to live, who they want to live with, and where they want to work.
"At the end of the day we knew we had made a difference, and we were much more comfortable in our efforts and inspired to do it again," said Melissa.
For more information about the status of important pending legislation, please visit The Arc of Texas website at http://www.thearcoftexas.org/.
Events/Save The Date
The Cool Family Gallery Exhibit
Thursday, April 2
5 - 7:30 p.m.
6717 Burnet Road
Join us in celebrating the rites of spring, and lots of "blooming" art for sale! View the new artwork, pottery, jewelry, merchandise and gifts for sale. Complimentary appetizers and drinks provided by Tito's Vodka and Budweiser.
The Arc of the Capital Area Golf Classic
The historic Lions Municipal Golf Course is the location for this year's annual Arc of the Capital Area Golf Classic! The 1 p.m. shotgun start includes lunch, prizes, a raffle, dinner, and the award ceremony. Teams are only $500, and sponsorships are available. See the Web site for more details. We look forward to seeing you on the greens Thursday, May 14th!
The Big Picture: Texas Senate Unanimously Passes Measure to Protect State School Residents
The Texas Senate unanimously approved an emergency measure to protect residents of state schools for the disabled from mistreatment, the same day state officials confirmed alleged abuse had been captured on cell phone cameras at Corpus Christi State School.
But Stephanie Goodman, spokeswoman with the Health and Human Services Commission, said it involves "images and videos taken with cell phones," and could include "multiple employees on different dates." All employees who may have been involved have been suspended.
The measure the Senate passed on Monday would establish an independent ombudsman to perform audits and investigate injuries and deaths, and to oversee an abuse and neglect telephone hotline. The bill would also install security cameras across Texas' thirteen institutions for the disabled, and require fingerprinting, background checks and random drug testing of all state school employees.
"The abuse and neglect that has occurred in our state schools is inexcusable," said Sen. Jane Nelson, the Flower Mound Republican who authored the bill. "These are people with serious disabilities. They need our protection."
The bill is a response to growing concerns about the safety and conditions inside the state schools, highlighted in two years' worth of Dallas Morning News articles and a recent U.S. Department of Justice report on civil rights violations inside the facilities.
It does not address the debate in the advocacy community over whether to shutter some of the state schools in favor of more community-based care - an issue that is being tackled in another bill. Nor does the bill, which comes with a $15 million price tag, boost employee salaries or provide funding for training, a point of issue for some.
The Justice Department concerns "relate to staffing ratios, to training," said Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso. "What will we do this session on what are the core issues of a system that has been systematically starved for resources?"
This article was excerpted from dallasnews.com
03:40 PM CDT on Wednesday, March 11, 2009
By EMILY RAMSHAW / The Dallas Morning News
eramshaw@dallasnews.com
Board Spotlight: Meet Deborah Green
Incoming President of the Board of Directors
"The Arc of the Capital Area provides more vital services to the amazing people we are privileged enough to count among our clients than any other organization in Travis County. And, we do that better, more professionally, and more supportively than anyone else."
- Deborah Green
Deborah Green, the incoming President of the Board of Directors of The Arc of the Capital Area is not only a wonderful advocate for The Arc, as demonstrated in her statement above, she believes it in her heart, and that is the hallmark of a true leader.
Deborah Green joined the Board in 2006, and after two years of faithful service, has stepped up to take the leadership of our organization. When we asked Deborah the main goal for her tenure, she said, "To provide as much support as humanly possible to everyone connected to The Arc including board members, employees, volunteers and, most importantly, our clients."
Ms. Green received her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame School of Law after receiving her B.A. in English from The University of Texas at Austin. She practices Probate, Guardianship, Trust, Estate Administration, and Elder Law from The Law Offices of Deborah Green, and is a frequent speaker on Texas Guardianship and Probate Law and the creation and use of Special Needs Trusts.
When asked what she does for fun, Deborah said, "I would say, read, exercise, go to Santa Fe, listen to music, watch movies, and go backpacking. My husband would say, argue about anything with anybody!"
Staff Spotlight: Meet Jennifer L. Gildred, MA, AT, CMT
The Arc of the Arts Studio and Gallery Program Manager
Jennifer Gildred has never lived east of the Rocky Mountains, but she's a Texan now! Jenn, as she likes to be called, recently moved to Austin from San Francisco, bringing a wealth of experience, to become Program Manager for The Arc of the Arts Studio and Gallery.
"This is my dream job," said Jenn. "I so look forward to taking the ‘baton,' so graciously handed off to me, and running to take The Arc of the Arts Studio & Gallery to even greater heights." Jenn envisions a program and artists that are admired nationwide.
Jenn was born in Mexico, and holds duel citizenship. She is fluent in Spanish and French, and is an avid artist, gardener, and organic "foodie." She also likes to explore the culinary side of her creativity, claiming coconut cream pie as her latest conquest.
When asked, "What's the coolest thing you have discovered since you moved to Austin," Jenn says, "Everyone is so warm and genuine."
Welcome to Austin and welcome to The Arc of the Capital Area, Jenn. We feel fortunate to have you as a member of our team!
