To
view our legislative guide, please click here.
To find your State Elected Officials, visit the Maryland General Assembly homepage.
Arc Advocacy
As part of our mission, The Arc of Baltimore engages in
public policy activities (also sometimes known as “governmental
affairs”). These activities are aimed at:
-
securing new and expanded funding for needed services
for all persons with developmental disabilities
-
promoting laws and regulations that assure equal rights,
opportunity and treatment for all persons with developmental
disabilities
-
securing well-funded and integrated public education
programs for students with developmental disabilities
(including other needed services for children and youth
such as day care, foster care, infants and toddlers
programs, respite care, etc.)
-
preserving and advancing publicly supported benefits
(including income, housing, health services and other
necessary supports) for individuals with developmental
disabilities who are not able to (fully) support themselves
with income from working
- other
matters that improve the quality of life for children
and adults with developmental disabilities and their
families
The
Arc of Baltimore’s public policy/governmental affairs
activities are “grassroots” activities that
inform our members, staff and others associated with The
Arc about key matters and that suggest some action aimed
at influencing a legislative, executive or regulatory outcome.
These activities may involve all branches and levels of
Government.
Recent Events:
Maryland General Assembly Concludes Session
The General Assembly wrapped up its session with completion of the FY11 budget and a number of legislative items pertaining to developmental disabilities. Click here to review a report of priority issues for The Arc community. Thanks to families and advocates who attended town hall meetings, bill hearings and DD Day, and to those who called and wrote your elected officials. Be sure to contact them now to thank them for their work on behalf of people with developmental disabilities.
If you are not sure who are your legislators or how to contact them, click here.
Developmental Disabilities Day at the Legislature
More than 500 advocates convened in Annapolis Thursday, February 25th to promote a package of bills and revenue enhancements designed to provide funding urgently needed for the thousands of individuals with developmental disabilities on the DDA Waiting List and Maryland's underfunded community services.
Hundreds of citizen advocates marched on-foot, proceeded in wheel-chairs, and traveled by bus and van, from the Loews Hotel, down West Street, to the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate office buildings to meet with their legislators and deliver information and petitions. Local News crews were on hand to record the event.
Watch the local news coverage at WBAL-TV Baltimore and at ABC 7 News.
To see pictures of the march to the House and Senate visit www.endthewaitnow.com.
Town Halls Highlight Harsh Realities of Waiting List and Lost Respite
More than 300 people attended Town Halls in Baltimore this past month to share with State Administration leaders and elected officials their concerns about the State’s waiting list for disability services. Secretary Cathy Raggio of the Maryland Department of Disabilities and Mike Chapman, director of the Developmental Disabilities Administration, attended to listen and talk with affected families.
Information on the waiting list, petitions, and other resources are available at www.endthewaitnow.com.
Pictured at right: Maryland State Delegate John Olszewski, Jr and Senator Norman R. Stone, Jr.
Join the Network
“The Arc Network” refers to
members of The Arc of Baltimore who have a special interest
in public policy/governmental affairs issues. We keep Network
members current with the latest happenings in the Maryland
General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. We let Network members
know when letters, e-mails, or phone calls are needed on
key issues affecting individuals with developmental disabilities.
To join the Network, please subscribe to our Advocacy Network e-Newsletter.
Make Your Voice Heard
To further assist you in making phone calls or sending letters
and e-mails, click
here to see the the legislative guide with a roster of State legislators and their
addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Also, for
the latest updates on bills under consideration by the Maryland
General Assembly along with hearing dates and other information
visit the Maryland
General Assembly home page This site also offers assistance
determining your legislative districts and representatives
in case you’re unsure.
Use Our Coalitions
The Arc of Baltimore’s public policy/governmental
affairs activities are carried out in coordination and cooperation
with The Arc of Maryland, The Arc of the United States and
other state and national advocacy and coalition groups pursuing
common and related public policy objectives.
To review the current public policy/governmental affairs
goals of The
Arc of Maryland, click here. To review the current public
policy/governmental affairs goals of The
Arc of the United States, click here.
Network Members and others are encouraged to visit The
Arc of the United States website frequently. Click on
Action Center you can see the latest relevant activities
in the Congress and quickly generate e-mails on the latest
issues.
Coalition Launches End the Wait Now Campaign
Want to do something about the 16,000 people currently on the MD Developmental Disabilities Administration waiting list for community services. Join the End the Wait Now Campaign. For more information, visit www.endthewaitnow.com.
