by Administrator | Jun 21, 2016 | Cross Disability Coalition, Employment First, Policy
By Gina Macris When she became director of Rhode Island’s developmental disability agency in February, 2015, Maria Montanaro inherited a budget with no relation to actual costs that was destined to run a deficit. She had to work with a state-run system of group homes...
by Administrator | Jun 21, 2016 | Budget Cuts, Consent Decree, Cross Disability Coalition, Employment First, Laws & Legislation, Policy
By Gina Macris Rhode Island’s developmental disability budget for the next fiscal year includes assurances that a total of $9.1 million in Medicaid money will be spent to raise pay for direct support workers and to begin transforming the state’s system of services for...
by Administrator | Oct 13, 2015 | Cross Disability Coalition, Employment, Employment First, Life is Good
The October Issue of RI Monthly has a featured article entitled “The Tyranny of Low Expectations” written by Associate Editor Casey Nilsson. “For decades, local agencies segregated people with disabilities and kept them from pursuing real work in the community. The...
by Administrator | Sep 15, 2015 | Cross Disability Coalition, Employment, Life is Good
Ever since she was small, Maureen Gaynor, from Smithfield RI, has been enthralled with music. She has recently released her fifth original album Iron Horse. She is self-employed and has worked as a freelance Writer and Musician since 1993. “One of my favorite shows...
by Administrator | Jul 30, 2015 | Community Living, Cross Disability Coalition, Family Connections, Laws & Legislation, Life is Good, Money & Finances
The “Achieving a Better Life Experience” (ABLE) account program for individuals with disabilities federally recognized investment accounts similar to 529 college savings programs. See Governor’s Press Release: http://www.ri.gov/press/view/25447 For...
by Administrator | Jun 16, 2015 | Budget Cuts, Community Living, Cross Disability Coalition, Emergency Preparedness, Employment, Employment First, Family Connections, Health Care, Laws & Legislation, Money & Finances, Policy, Safety, Self Directed Supports, Supports Intensity Scale, Transportation, Uncategorized
State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Public Forums to Identify the Concerns of People with Disabilities and their Families During the week of the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (signed on July 26th), the Governor’s Commission on...
by Administrator | Mar 5, 2015 | Community Living, Cross Disability Coalition, Federal Laws & Legislation, Laws & Legislation, Money & Finances, Policy
Modeled after 529 college savings accounts, ABLE will offer tax advantages for people with disabilities. By Susan Johnston Americans with disabilities and their families often face a myriad of financial challenges, but they will soon have a new financial vehicle...
by Administrator | Jan 22, 2015 | Cross Disability Coalition, Laws & Legislation
Governor Gina Raimondo announced her intention to nominate Maria Montanaro as the director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals (BHDDH). Raimondo will submit Montanaro’s name for consideration to the Rhode Island...
by Administrator | Jan 20, 2015 | Cross Disability Coalition, Employment, Money & Finances
AARP Tax Aide is offering FREE tax return preparation to people 50 & older and people with a disability. To find a site near you please call AARP Tax Aide at 1-888-687-2277 (Toll-free TTY: 1-877-434-7598) and ask for a Tax-Aide site near you or visit the AARP...
by Administrator | Nov 24, 2014 | Cross Disability Coalition, Employment, Federal Laws & Legislation, Laws & Legislation, Life is Good
Call our RI and national Congressional Members to VOTE FOR this very important Federal Bill (The ABLE Act) in the next few weeks which will allow people with disabilities to have up to $100,000.00 in a tax free account WITHOUT jeopardizing their benefits. Click here...
