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Governmental Affairs and Public Policy 
Click
Here: Public Policy Platform 2008 (PDF)
The Arc of Maryland is a statewide public policy advocacy organization
committed to dignity, civil rights, quality supports, community
inclusion, and the empowerment of individuals with cognitive and
developmental disabilities and their families.
The Governmental Affairs and Public Policy Program advocates in
these ways:
State Legislation: The Arc of Maryland
represents the interests of persons with cognitive and developmental
disabilities at the Maryland General Assembly in legislative, budget,
and regulatory matters; organizes grassroots and members to advocate
at the legislature, hosts annual Developmental Disabilities
Day at the Legislature, and more.
The Arc of Maryland developed several successful pieces of legislation
that are now law including: Waiting List Equity Fund, Community
Services Trust Fund, Comprehensive Interagency Plan for Transitioning
Youth with Disabilities and amendments, Maryland State Department
of Education – Special Education – Right to Receive
Education through Age 21 years, Community Supported Living Arrangements
Services (CSLA), DHMH – Developmental Disabilities Administration
- Written Plan of Habilitation for Persons in State Residential
Centers, and several bills to strengthen quality assurance in programs
licensed by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Federal Legislation: Through The Arc
of the United States and United Cerebral Palsy National Public Policy
Collaboration Office in Washington, D.C., we maintain a statewide
network of grassroots and sister agencies in responding to federal
action alerts about proposed legislation, policy and regulations.
System Advocacy: The Arc of Maryland
advocates at the state administrative level to improve services
and benefits for persons with cognitive and developmental disabilities.
State level systems advocacy includes Maryland State Department
of Education - Special Education and Vocational Rehabilitation,
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Developmental Disabilities
Administration, Office for Children, Youth and Families, Child Care
Administration, Housing, and more.
Waiting List Campaign: Over 16,000 children
and adults are awaiting services from the Developmental Disabilities
Administration - 41% are for services in crisis categories. In 1999, The Arc of Maryland led the successful
“Key of Our Own: Waiting List Campaign” that resulted
in the Governor’s $116 million Five-Year Waiting List Initiative
benefiting over 8,000 children and adults and their families. That
Initiative has ended and no new funds have been provided. Waiting
List families have joined together, through The Arc of Maryland,
to activate the Waiting List Campaign. For more information and
to join, click here.
Legal Advocacy: Maryland was the first
state to provide a free appropriate public education to children
with disabilities, as a result of litigation filed by The Arc of
Maryland during the 1960’s. The education lawsuit predates
federal law mandating public education for children with disabilities.
The Arc of Maryland’s Legal Advocacy Committee of attorneys
provides legal advocacy for civil and disability rights. Issues
include state implementation of the Olmstead Supreme Court case
for the right to receive services in the most integrated setting,
parental rights of parents with mental retardation, and institutional
litigation.
You Can Join The Arc of Maryland's
Governmental Affairs and Systems Advocacy Efforts!
 Members
of The Arc can join The Arc's Statewide Action Alert Network - you'll
receive information on legislation and what you can do! If you would
like to receive alerts by e-mail, please e-mail us. Even if you
are not a member, The Arc of Maryland is a place you can get involved.
As an umbrella grassroots advocacy organization – we advocate
for the common vision of inclusive lives for people with developmental
disabilities at the State Legislature, State Administration, and
courts. By joining our advocacy, we have greater influence and strength.
The latest State Action Alerts
The latest National Action Alerts
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