Compass Newsletter | Achieva

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Compass Newsletter

Disability Pride: Under the Tent

Disability Pride:  Under the Tent

Disability Pride Pittsburgh | Saturday, August 26, 2023 | 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday's festivities will begin with stage performances, emceed by comedian Gab Bonesso, and a parade around Schenley Plaza at 11 a.m.

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State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

State Officials Shift Burden to Private Donors

Non-profits like Achieva deliver home and community-based services to people with disabilities because the state has chosen it prefers to pay non-government entities to provide such services rather than having state-owned and operated facilities do it.

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Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Not a Priority for Governor Shapiro, House, or Senate

Six days late, the legislature passed a state budget - one that had funding cut for services for people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A). The governor's office, calling it "a budget that delivers on Governor Shapiro's key priorities" approves.

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Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray Honored During Advocacy & Policy Day Conference

Nancy Murray was honored for her advocacy and grassroots impact on the supports and services of people with disabilities. She received the M.J. Bartelmay, Jr. Excellence in Advocacy Award from The Arc of Pennsylvania.

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Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

Disability Employment Highlighted at Dan Miller Summit

People with disabilities are one of the largest untapped labor pools in our economy. While the labor participation rate for adults with disabilities is typically half that of those without disabilities, the disability unemployment rate is consistently twice the rate of people without disabilities.

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System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

System For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Will Collapse Without Increased State Aid, Advocates Say

Health and human services organizations ask General Assembly for $430 million increase to stop further termination of programs, closure of facilities.

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Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

Diverse Mission-Sustaining Revenue Sources

A charitable non-profit corporation like Achieva is constantly thinking about financial resources to sustain its mission and provide high-quality services.

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Transition to Employment Conference

Transition to Employment Conference

Don't Miss the Transition to Employment Conference Sponsored by The Arc Erie County A conference for graduating students, families, transition coordinators, and service coordinators with speakers from Achieva Family Trust and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.

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Pittsburgh Promenade A Success

Pittsburgh Promenade A Success

Achieva's annual Pittsburgh Promenade on Saturday, March 25th, commemorated the 25th anniversary of Achieva Family Trust and recognized Richard and Mary Beth McQuillis, siblings who work for Achieva and also received a grant from the Family Trust Charitable Residual Program.

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Shapiro Budget Disappoints

Shapiro Budget Disappoints

Families and advocates for people with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) had hoped the new governor's first state budget proposal would include new funds to cover the higher costs of delivering services due to inflation.

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Achieva Early Intervention's Books at Birth Initiative Expands to AHN Jefferson Hospital

Achieva Early Intervention's Books at Birth Initiative Expands to AHN Jefferson Hospital

Achieva's innovative Books at Birth initiative is now encouraging literacy and caregiver empowerment at a third Pittsburgh-area healthcare facility: Allegheny Health Network's Jefferson Hospital in the South Hills.

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New Chair Takes EFOC Reins

New Chair Takes EFOC Reins

The EFOC was created when Act 36 of 2018 was passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Tom Wolf.

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Words Matter

Words Matter

Words matter. The campaign to end the "R" word and using the word "people" instead of "client" may help facilitate change. However, the change is not sustainable if real action is not taken to correct and prevent devaluing systems and beliefs.

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Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Achieva wishes you a Wonderful Holiday Season and the Happiest of New Years!

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New Year, New Opportunities

New Year, New Opportunities

On behalf of the entire Achieva Family of Organizations, I want to wish everyone a happy new year. Ushering in a new calendar year is more than just a way to mark time - it's symbolic of renewal, fresh starts, and new opportunities.

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A New Day, New Opportunities

A New Day, New Opportunities

With the recent elections, Pennsylvania will soon experience a new governor, some new state representatives and senators, and likely new control of the state House of Representatives once all 203 state representatives are seated. Are all these changes for the better? Time will tell.

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Be Thankful. Happy Thanksgiving

Be Thankful. Happy Thanksgiving

Among the many things, the Achieva Family of Organizations is thankful for this season is YOU! It is our joy to extend to you our best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving Day.

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National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Caregivers Month

Celebrated every November, National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM) is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers.

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Four Years Later, Fond Memories of the Victims Remain

Four Years Later, Fond Memories of the Victims Remain

Four years ago, the city of Pittsburgh was collectively stunned and saddened by the tragedy that shook the tight-knit community of Squirrel Hill.

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Those Who Show Up & Step Up

Those Who Show Up & Step Up

Earlier this month, Achieva celebrated "Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week" (September 11-17, 2022). On behalf of all the people we support and their families, we wanted to use the opportunity to offer our sincerest thanks and appreciation for each of our DSPs.

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Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 11-17, 2022)

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week (September 11-17, 2022)

As we observe Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, we want to take this opportunity to offer our sincere appreciation for each of Achieva's DSPs.

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In-Person Events Back in Full Swing at Achieva

In-Person Events Back in Full Swing at Achieva

A week ago, our first "employee appreciation banquet" in three years was held at the Rivers Casino. The last one held was in the fall of 2019, but since then COVID-19 had led to large-group gatherings like our banquet being canceled.

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Upcoming Events Presented By Achieva Advocacy

IEP Clinic with Ruder Law - Virtual meeting on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, from 6:30 - 8 p.m. and Update to Federal Guidance on Discipline with McAndrews Law - Virtual meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2022, from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

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PA General Assembly State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 General Fund Budget

PA General Assembly State Fiscal Year 2022-2023 General Fund Budget

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed and Governor Wolf signed into law the State Fiscal Year 2022/23 General Fund Budget on July 8, 2022.

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VaultArt Marks 5 Years with a 53-Foot Mural in Garfield

VaultArt Marks 5 Years with a 53-Foot Mural in Garfield

Musicians save riffs until their minds form a song around them. Chefs hold back new flavor combinations until the ingredients are in season. And muralists, like Max Gonzales, wait for walls.

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