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News

A collection of newsletters, press releases, and media coverage.

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Whether you want to learn what's new in the disability world, hear what others have to say about Achieva, or share Achieva's messaging with your audience, this is the place for you. Read all the latest news, or select the category of your choice to narrow down your search results.
Achieva Announces $15 Million "Beyond Boundaries" Campaign to Expand Services for People with Disabilities

Achieva Announces $15 Million "Beyond Boundaries" Campaign to Expand Services for People with Disabilities

Achieva proudly announces the launch of its $15 million Beyond Boundaries fundraising campaign. This initiative will expand Achieva's reach, strengthen its infrastructure, & secure long-term sustainability to meet the growing needs of people with disabilities and their families.

Providing Consistent Support Is Critical

There are many parts of our mission "to be a lifeline" we could write about - some are energizing, like our project with Achieva Early Intervention, reaching out to little ones in minority communities to screen many and evaluate some, and get them set on the course early.

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Achieva Family Trust Distributed $1.5 Million In Grants To People With Disabilities

Achieva Family Trust Distributed $1.5 Million In Grants To People With Disabilities

Achieva Family Trust's Charitable Residual Account assisted 507 people during the 2021 - 2022 fiscal year (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022) by distributing $1.5 million in grants that provide supplemental supports and services for children and adults with disabilities in need.

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August is ABLE to Save Month

August is ABLE to Save Month

At Achieva Family Trust, we continue to promote the availability and benefits of ABLE accounts as another option for people with disabilities to save for the future. We have many trust beneficiaries who utilize ABLE accounts in conjunction with their Special Needs Trust.

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Fund Recipient Wishes To Lose Weight, Gain Confidence

Fund Recipient Wishes To Lose Weight, Gain Confidence

Mr. Lewis-Ojeda was less active throughout the pandemic, and he missed opportunities for social engagement. A diabetes diagnosis and weight gain affected his self-esteem and lowered his desire to follow a healthy lifestyle.

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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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The Arc Erie County and Erie Sports Center Partner to Host Buddy Walk

The Arc Erie County and Erie Sports Center Partner to Host Buddy Walk

Join The Arc Erie County for the 2022 BuddyWalk on September 24, 2022. Hosted by the Erie Sports Center, the day will be packed with family fun, celebrating children and adults with disabilities and their families and raising money for The Arc Erie County to provide ongoing advocacy & support.

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A Hiring Sign That Felt Like Fate

A Hiring Sign That Felt Like Fate

Marlene Sanchez moved to Pittsburgh from Mexico City when she was five years old. She feels affection for Mexican-inspired events and activities reminiscent of her birthplace. She cherishes large family gatherings to celebrate life events and continue family traditions.

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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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Greensburg Resident Receives Personal Training Thanks to Achieva's Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund

Achieva's Cecil and David Rosenthal Memorial Fund (the Fund), which provides grants to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), has provided one fortunate Greensburg resident with the gift of health and hope.

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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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Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly

Social Security, SSI Benefits Expected To Increase Significantly

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries could see their monthly payments rise again next year by the largest amount in decades, experts say.

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VaultArt Marks 5 Years with a 53-Foot Mural in Garfield The Mural Showcases all 19 Artists Currently Working at the Studio

VaultArt Marks 5 Years with a 53-Foot Mural in Garfield The Mural Showcases all 19 Artists Currently Working at the Studio

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. For years, he's eyed a more than 50-foot-long exterior wall on South Winebiddle Street in Garfield.

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Ask The Experts - Speech Development

Ask The Experts - Speech Development

Speech development begins long before your little one says their first word. Join our experts as they guide you through early speech milestones, and talk about when to be concerned.

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Ask The Experts - Tummy Time

Ask The Experts - Tummy Time

Is Tummy Time important for your baby? Tune in as Achieva EI child development experts Lauren & Debi talk about why tummy time is a critical milestone for your little one.

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VaultArt marks five years with a 53-foot mural in Garfield

VaultArt marks five years with a 53-foot mural in Garfield

Five years ago this month, Pennsylvania disability organization Achieva started VaultArt Studio to provide community-based training and work for artistically inclined individuals.

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Olmstead Decision Turns 23

Olmstead Decision Turns 23

Twenty-three years later, most people with disabilities under age 60 no longer enter a nursing home as a permanent placement, and many states in the union no longer operate state-owned institutions for people with intellectual disabilities. Pennsylvania is behind the curve...

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Disability leaders call on the General Assembly to increase funding for home healthcare workers | Opinion

Disability leaders call on the General Assembly to increase funding for home healthcare workers | Opinion

Disability Leaders Look to General Assembly with Optimism As leaders of intellectual disability and autism (ID/A) services, we have been raising our voices about the unsustainable staffing/direct support professional (DSP) crisis in our community.

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Amazing Ava Continues to Shine

Amazing Ava Continues to Shine

Two years ago, in June of 2020, we introduced you to Ava Allenberg, Amazing Ava as she is called by many. Ava loves to dance! Since Ava started dancing in the fall of 2019, she has inspired a handful of others to start dancing and to express themselves in ways that make them shine.

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Home Stretch for Disability Funding Advocacy

Home Stretch for Disability Funding Advocacy

If you haven't yet contacted your state representative or state senator to advocate for sufficient funding for much-needed services and programs for people with disabilities, now is the time to do it.

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The 'Ballerina on Wheels' To Be Honored For Book About Inclusion

The 'Ballerina on Wheels' To Be Honored For Book About Inclusion

Together, Achieva Family Trust and Cynthia's School of Dance are hosting a celebration of Ava Allenberg on June 8, 2022, at Achieva's Southside office. Ava is featured in the new book Ballerina on Wheels - Amazing Ava's First Dance Recital.

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Disability Issues - Always on the Ballot!

Disability Issues - Always on the Ballot!

Tuesday, May 17, is Pennsylvania's primary election day. If you or someone you know is at least 18, has a disability, and wants to vote, please check out the valuable information at the PA Department of State website.

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May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month

Our caring staff of Trust Administrators and Regional Trust Liaisons all have significant experience in the social service field, including supporting people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, and Mental Health diagnoses.

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The Arc Erie County To Host May Conference

The Arc Erie County To Host May Conference

Join The Arc Erie County (PA), for a Spring Conference on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This virtual event is geared towards families of children and adults with disabilities, educators, service and support coordinators, and home and community-based service providers.

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Advocates push for more state funds for disability services and higher wages for workers

Advocates push for more state funds for disability services and higher wages for workers

Advocates for people with disabilities are pushing for additional millions in the Commonwealth's budget in the next fiscal year to raise wages and shore up staffing for home and community-based services.

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College programs for students with disabilities are growing in Western PA, but some have faced challenges

College programs for students with disabilities are growing in Western PA, but some have faced challenges

As their peers without disabilities graduate high school and embark on college journeys, students in these programs are able to follow a similar path.

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