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News

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

Find out what's happening!

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.

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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Benefits Counseling - Complicated, But Worth It

Benefits Counseling - Complicated, But Worth It

This past week, the Pennsylvania Employment First Oversight Commission (EFOC)* held its second meeting of 2022. The EFOC spent a lot of time during its meeting discussing Benefits Counseling.

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New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

New Online Tool to Get Started Applying for SSI

Social Security Administration (SSA) has just released a new online tool to allow individuals to notify SSA that they want to apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It can be found on the SSA website, www.SSA.gov.

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Count The Trout At Wholey's: Raising Money For Achieva Of Pennsylvania

Count The Trout At Wholey's: Raising Money For Achieva Of Pennsylvania

KDKA-TV Wholey's in the Strip District is raising money and rewarding one winner with a gift card if they can guess the number of fish in the live tank.

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Return To In-Person Promenade A Success!

Return To In-Person Promenade A Success!

Achieva's biggest fundraising event, the Pittsburgh Promenade, raised more than $152,000 to support people with disabilities and their families. 230 guests were welcomed to "set sail with Achieva" during the tropical-themed event (the first in-person Promenade held since March 2019), hosted by WTAE'

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On A Positive Note: Lesson In Kindness From Mt. Lebanon School District Students

On A Positive Note: Lesson In Kindness From Mt. Lebanon School District Students

Sixth-grader Holden Frye returned to his elementary school, Hoover Elementary, to read his new book "The Spot" to students during an assembly. It's the highlight of the school's celebration of inclusion.

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Awareness

Awareness

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. This is something politicians do every year, passing resolutions or signing proclamations that say all the right things but do they make much difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families?

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10-Year-Old Pittsburgh Native Writes Children's Book Book about Inclusion and Diversity published by Pennsylvania Non-Profit

10-Year-Old Pittsburgh Native Writes Children's Book Book about Inclusion and Diversity published by Pennsylvania Non-Profit

Pittsburgh, PA - After a Mikayla's Voice inclusion assembly at Hoover Elementary School, 10-year-old Holden Frye was inspired to write a children's fiction book about the non-profit's logo, a ladybug with one yellow spot. Dot is a "teenage ladybug with a cool and different look, and life is good...

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March is National Disability Awareness Month

March is National Disability Awareness Month

Every March, the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) and its partners collaborate to observe Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM).

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Achieva's Signature Event Returns to In-Person

Achieva's Signature Event Returns to In-Person

The "Pittsburgh Promenade" - Achieva's annual charity auction and gala - is returning this month as an "in-person" event at the downtown Pittsburgh Westin Hotel.

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Budget Ball Now In Legislature's Court

Budget Ball Now In Legislature's Court

Low rates paid by state government and its failure to increase rates in a timely and consistent manner are nothing new, but this year things are different.

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The Arc Erie County Appoints Key Employees

The Arc Erie County Appoints Key Employees

Erie, PA (2/10/2022) - The Arc Erie County (PA) is pleased to announce the addition of two employees tasked with sustaining and building upon its mission of advocacy and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

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Jillian Zacks honored with Shore-Whitehill Award

Jillian Zacks honored with Shore-Whitehill Award

The award, given annually by the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh and Jewish Residential Services, celebrates volunteers who promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the fabric of Jewish life through advocacy or direct service to those individuals and their families.

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