We are excited to share a momentous achievement with our community: Pam Thomas is officially Achieva's first certified DSP 1 through the Achieva Credentialing Academy and the NADSP E-Badge Academy!
Federal law and professional nursing standards require the development of individualized plans of care for students with special health care needs.
Congratulations to Gerald McGinnis, an employee of Achieva's Cleaning & Janitorial (C&J) staff for winning the 2024 Achievement Award from UniqueSource!
The "Closing the Gap: People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities as a Medically Underserved Population" roundtable event was a collaborative effort hosted by Rep. Seth Moulton, Achieva, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, and the NYU Dentistry: Center for Oral Health Policy & Management.
A state budget was adopted in Harrisburg on July 11. One of Achieva's largest funding streams comes from the PA Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) for services to people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A).
In June of 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in its Olmstead decision that unnecessary institutionalization violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The Arc of Pennsylvania was awarded with the inaugural "Strengthening the Public Health System Award" from the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) for its campaign to raise awareness of health disparities related to COVID-19 in the disability community.
As we approach June 17th at 2 p.m., we invite you to join us for 1,951 minutes to Impact Achieva. Your support will help amplify the voices of people with disabilities. Add the date to your calendar, and get ready to make an impact!
After years of underfunding, inflation was taking a serious toll on non-profit service providers like Achieva. Rates paid to these organizations by state government had only increased one time in seven years.
President and CEO of Achieva, Steve Suroviec, welcomed the governor to Achieva's headquarters during a recent visit and press conference. Achieva employee Erin Grimes spoke along with two women she supports, Sierra & Christy Wechtenhiser, about the impact of budget deficiencies.
President and CEO of Achieva, Steve Suroviec, welcomed Governor Josh Shapiro to Achieva's headquarters in the South Side. There, he addressed members of the media to promote his unprecedented spending plan for the Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) service system.
Achieva's Disability Health Policy Director, Vanessa Rastovic, educated the audience on how health disparities impact people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) during a panel discussion at the 2024 Disability Policy Seminar in Washington, DC.
Achieva's annual Pittsburgh Promenade on Saturday, March 23, transformed the night into a Hollywood affair benefitting Achieva's programs. The "Fund the Mission" portion of the evening supported the Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund (the Fund), red carpet style.
Achieva has been proud to host two visits from local elected officials, PA Senator Devlin Robinson and PA Representative Nick Pisciottano.
"In 1973, Polk State School and Hospital drugged, bound and caged people with intellectual disabilities. We demanded change and helped set the stage for improvements that have endured." A first-person essay by Robert Nelkin in Public Source.
Make a difference in dental care inclusivity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in Pennsylvania. You have the opportunity to support a crucial initiative that would support equitable access to dental care for the 1 in 4 Pennsylvanians with a disability.
The state's budget reveals what the state thinks of people with disabilities and autism. Another budget, another chance to help Pa.'s struggling disability care system.
On December 13, 2023, after passage by the General Assembly, SB 506 became Act 61 upon the signature of Governor Shapiro. Act 61 is the result of many years of advocacy by disability and aging advocates (including Achieva) and the bi-partisan leadership of Senator Lisa Baker & Senator Art Haywood.
Mary Hartley will join Achieva on February 12, 2024, just prior to the retirement of her predecessor, Nancy Murray. Court Hower and Kolleen Johnson were recently hired as Senior Vice Presidents for Achieva Support.
Janice E. Bollman, a trustee on the Autism Connection of PA Board, an affiliate of Achieva, recently passed away. The many friendships she established through her lifetime became just like family to her.
As a chapter of The Arc, representatives from Achieva attended The Arc's National Convention in New Orleans this week. The annual convention offered opportunities to engage and gain knowledge with other professionals, advocates, people with disabilities, and their families.
On October 25, Achieva accepted the Community Champion Award by UPMC Senior Services and UPMC Western Behavorial Health. The award is given annually to an organization that has shown exceptional organizational leadership to create better communities around the region.
Achieva, one of Pennsylvania's largest providers of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families, announced the retirement plans of Gary K. Horner, an esteemed leader with a nearly three-decade tenure at the organization.
Initial reaction to Governor Shapiro's announcement was very positive because it's rare that a governor will even acknowledge the IDA population, their families, or the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them, much less acknowledge there's a problem finding and keeping DSPs.
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the lives of people with disabilities. Their dedication and hard work deserve recognition and appreciation.