Vision for EQuality

An Emotional Day for those attending the meeting with Deputy Secretary Kevin Friel

Deputy Secretary Kevin Friel

Thank you! You did a tremendous job sharing your stories with Deputy Secretary Friel on Friday January 20th. Over 200 people attended the Listening Session at Vision for EQuality, showing that we are ONE strong community! All of the stories were equally important and touched the audience’s hearts to the core. By sharing our personal experiences we hope that Deputy Secretary Friel and all policy makers understand our situation and we implore them to remember our stories and keep us involved with discussions as they are making plans for our future.

Our message was clear – we do not want our sons and daughters to go to state institutions and we seek support for quality services for our sons and daughters in their homes and communities. We work tirelessly everyday to look for avenues of support for the 16,000 people on our PA Waiting List and their families and especially for the caregivers who cannot go on without services for their sons and daughters including 400 aging caregivers and also the 700 students who graduate each year from Pennsylvania schools to a system that cannot support their needs.

News from Harrisburg

We made such an impact on Deputy Secretary Kevin Friel that he is coming back to visit us again soon. In addition we were also able to set up an "Informational Session" scheduled in Harrisburg with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Human Services Committee!

This is a GREAT accomplishment and we are very proud of all of you who showed up and made the day a success. We have already started planning for these other important events, and we will keep you informed about the details once they are finalized.

We will make sure you have the chance to once again let our state officials know that we are a strong community and citizens with a voice and stories that can’t be ignored.

Vision In Action

Click Here to Read
Vision for EQuality
JANUARY NEWSLETTER

IMPORTANT ALERT RE: FOOD STAMP BENEFITS
The state Department of Public Welfare (DPW) plans to enact an “asset test” for food
stamps beginning this spring. This plan would result in the denial of critical food
assistance to tens of thousands of Pennsylvania children and families.

Please call 800-515-8134 and tell Governor Corbett:
“I urge you to stop the asset test for food stamps, which will hurt children, families
and Pennsylvania's economy.”

CLICK HERE for more information

Please find attached four documents related to the Consolidated and Person/Family Directed Support Waiver Renewals:

Side by Side Comparsion Waiver

Consolidated Summary of the Final

Attachment B

Attachment C

Healthy Smiles for Autism-free downloadable guide-National Museum of Dentistry

Please click here for information

Parent Leadership Institute
A 7 month institute for parent leaders
from the Philadelphia area
FREE Institute sponsored by the PEAL Center
CLICK HERE for bilingual flyer

PHILADELPHIA AUTISM NETWORK
2011‐2012

Are People with I/DD
Still Living in the Shadows?
Read this unprecedented survey
covering education, housing, planning
for the future and more.

Current Fundraising Efforts


Our Mission Statement We BELIEVE that all people have a right to live a happy and meaningful life, which includes:
	The power, authority, and resources to control their own destiny	Options, creativity and security in their everyday lives
	A sense of belonging and acceptance for who they are	Meaningful and loving personal relationships
	Being treated with dignity and respect	The opportunity to express their own spirituality
	The chance to participate as valued members of their community A Vision grounded firmly in Community	Access to good health care