Private Equity Takes Aim At Disability Services

 Private equity firms are increasingly investing in services for young people with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities with potentially troubling consequences, a new report warns. Read More >

COVID-19 Taking A Toll On Direct Support Professionals

 The coronavirus is rocking the already unstable workforce assisting people with developmental disabilities, with a new survey finding nearly half of DSPs know someone who's left the profession. Read More >

Coronavirus Frays Safety Net For People With Severe Disabilities

With programs closed for the foreseeable future, many families are now forced to care for loved ones with severe disabilities at home without much help, if any at all. Read More >

Low Caregiver Wages Take Toll

For many with disabilities, maintaining a routine is key. But low wages for direct support staff often lead to high turnover and unwelcome change for those who rely on such assistance. Read More ;

Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports Survey

http://www.thearc.org/finds

The Arc, in collaboration with the Research and Training Center on Community Living at the University of Minnesota (MN LEND), has launched the 2017 Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports Survey which seeks to capture perceptions of family caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on a range of life-span issues. We are inviting people aged 18 years or older who provide primary un/paid and frequent support to a family member with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) living in the United States and its Territories to provide feedback on their experiences.  To participate, the individual must be 18 years or older and provide primary unpaid and frequent support to a person with an intellectual or developmental disability living in the United States (and U.S. territories).

Caregiving Costly For Special Needs Families

Families of children with special needs provide billions of dollars in unpaid medical care each year, researchers say, significantly compromising their own ability to earn a living. Read More >

Disability Providers Warn Overtime Rule May Impact Services

A federal proposal to require overtime pay for many professionals who support people with disabilities living in the community could force service cuts, providers say.  http://disabilityscoop.us10.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=edd1b5b5ac128ec969814e7c4&id=2523282a52&e=dec67655b9

Six Helpful Books for Caregivers of Individuals with Special Needs

With accommodations aimed at providing necessary supports for a student to access the curriculum and meet his/her learning potential, it is possible for students with special needs to learn and be productive in school. Here are six books that can help caregivers provide modifications and accommodations.  http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2015/10/22/six-helpful-books-for-caregivers-of-individuals-with-special-needs/?utm_source=Friendship+Circle+Blog&utm_campaign=d4bad403ab-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3ec270b4ae-d4bad403ab-199142745

What the Search for Oil Can Teach Parents of Children with Special Needs

Every parent of a child with special needs has had the feeling of being in over their head and not being able to handle. Your world is filled with chaos, this challenge is just too much, can’t I just say I give up and call it a day? The Story of the Maccabees Lets take a look at the Holiday of Chanukah ...  More than twenty-one centuries ago, the land of Israel was ruled by the Greeks who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews known as the Maccabees defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d. One of the regular services that took place daily in the Temple was the kindling of the Menorah. When the battle was over the Maccabees re-entered the Temple and found it ransacked and in unusable condition. There was no pure olive oil left to light the Menorah. After a thorough search among the debris, the Maccabees found a tiny cruse of oil. It was determined that this was only enough oil to last one day.  http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2014/12/15/what-the-search-for-oil-can-teach-parents-of-children-with-special-needs/?utm_source=Friendship+Circle+Blog&utm_campaign=b3a0a00e66-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3ec270b4ae-b3a0a00e66-199142745