*************** Aging in Place: A Panel Conversation ***************
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Regardless of where we choose to age, we strive to have quality of life, independence, and choices. Through this conversation, we want family caregivers to become aware of the different aspects of aging in place and learn about resources and services that are needed at home and in the community to support their daily living.
Please join us for this session on
Friday, October 1, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The panel will include:
Dianne Duke, MSW, Case Manager, ElderLink
Don Ryan, Director of Partnerships, Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church
Lea M. Thies, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Practitioner- Certified, Inova Medical House Calls

Register here:
bit.ly/AAAPanel

• This panel conversation is open to family caregivers, older adults, professionals, and the community-at-large.
• All webinars will be recorded, and registrants will receive a link to the recording of the live event.
• For questions, contact: Giuliana.ValenciaOrdonez@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-5484


Where a TTY number is not indicated, use 711/Virginia Relay. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request, call 703-324-5730.


A FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA. PUBLICATION¬ — 8/2021

Kind Regards,

Giuliana L. Valencia, MSW
Pronouns: She/ Her/ Hers
Social Services Specialist III
Fairfax Area Agency on Aging
12011 Government Center Parkway Suite 708
Fairfax, VA 22035

Phone: 703-324-5484

Giuliana.ValenciaOrdonez@fairfaxcounty.gov
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults

Our Values: People-Focused
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2 days ago

***** New Videos on Special Needs Trusts and ABLE Accounts *****
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Everyone must plan for how they will pay for the things they want and need in life. It’s especially important for people with disabilities to make a plan so that they can protect their public benefits.

You don't need a lot of money to plan—but you do need to plan!

To help you learn more about two important tools to save money, The Arc's Center for Future Planning is creating a series of free videos.

Check out the first two videos below to get an overview of special needs trusts and ABLE accounts. Each video covers why to consider using each tool, how they work, what they can pay for, and how you can get started.

These videos are also available in Spanish.

We will release more videos soon – so stay tuned. And make sure to share these resources with others!

WATCH NOW!
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If you have any questions about these videos or the Center for Future Planning, contact us at futureplanning@thearc.org. We’re here to help!

For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

The Arc of the United States | 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006

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2 days ago

******************** Bazelon Center and Fellow Advocates Reach Interim Settlement Agreement with Oregon Department of Education for Students with Disabilities ************************
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 -- The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and fellow advocates for children with disabilities have reached an interim settlement agreement as part of a class-action lawsuit with the Oregon Department of Education (ODE). The parties share a commitment to ensuring that public school children in Oregon receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment (LRE). The agreement requires the parties to select an expert to examine the use of shortened school days for students with disabilities across the state. The expert will issue a report that describes the use of shortened school days and recommend additional actions, if any, that ODE should take to ensure that all children receive an appropriate education in full days of school.

Once completed, the expert’s report will be submitted to both sides in the lawsuit and will be available to the public. Following that, the parties will discuss a comprehensive settlement in light of the expert’s findings and recommendations.

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), Disability Rights Oregon (DRO), the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and pro bono attorneys filed the lawsuit, J.N. v. Oregon Department of Education, in January 2019. In response to the interim agreement, the plaintiffs released this statement:

“We are heartened by this interim agreement. With the right supports for teachers and students, virtually all children can learn in school alongside their classmates for a full school day. Students with disabilities are no exception. Ensuring that students with disabilities are included in school for a full day will give them the foundation that they need to thrive in their classrooms and communities for years to come. We look forward to working with the ODE toward this shared goal.”

Tom Stenson, deputy legal director for Disability Rights Oregon, commented: “Attending a full day of school positively shapes a child's learning and development today and profoundly influences their life for years to come. No student with a disability should face a significant risk of being placed on a shortened school day. Our agreement with the ODE is a strong step toward final resolution of this class action lawsuit paving the way for hundreds, if not thousands of children across the state, to attend a full day of school.”

ODE Director Colt Gill issued the following statement in response to the agreement:
The ODE is thankful for the plaintiffs’ good faith efforts to resolve this lawsuit. We are hopeful that this interim agreement will enable both parties to ultimately resolve plaintiffs’ concerns. Children experiencing disability are entitled and deserve to receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. For the vast majority of students experiencing disability that should be a full school day. While it may be appropriate for IEP teams to abbreviate a child’s school day consistent with applicable law, these placements should be both rare and limited in frequency and duration. We look forward to engaging with the consultant as they evaluate the use of shortened school days in Oregon and considering the findings alongside plaintiffs to inform a potential comprehensive settlement agreement.

The expert will review relevant state records and data, interview state and local school staff, and engage in targeted site visits to review student files and observe students in classrooms. The expert will identify, among other things:
• Where, when, and why children with disabilities do not attend a full day of school;
• Uses of shortened school days that may violate federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees special education to children with disabilities who need it, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and
• What, if anything, the ODE should do to ensure that school districts and teachers can support students with disabilities to successfully attend school for a full school day with their classmates.

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national advocacy organization representing people with mental disabilities. It promotes laws and policies that enable people with psychiatric, intellectual, or developmental disabilities to exercise their life choices and receive the supports they need to participate fully in their communities. [www.bazelon.org]

The National Center for Youth Law is a non-profit law firm that works to build a future in which every child thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves. [www.youthlaw.org]

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) is an independent, national nonprofit organization of parents, attorneys, advocates, and related professionals. COPAA’s national network of 2,800+ members work to protect the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families. COPAA members are at work wherever the voices of families and students need to be heard. COPAA supports them with resources, training, and information to assist in obtaining the equal opportunity for education those children deserve and are entitled to under federal law. [www.copaa.org]

Disability Rights Oregon upholds the civil rights of people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in the community. The nonprofit works to transform systems, policies, and practices to give more people the opportunity to reach their full potential. For more than 40 years, the organization has served as Oregon’s Protection & Advocacy system. [www.droregon.org]

The Bazelon Center relies on contributions from our allies to ensure that our staff can fight for protections and services for people with mental disabilities. Please consider making a gift today.

Donate Now
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STAY CONNECTED


The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law | 1090 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20005

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6 days ago

*************** Virginia Governor Ralph S. Northam Announces Production of ‘Raymond and Ray’ in Virginia *******************
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~ Project will film in Central Virginia this fall ~
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RICHMOND—The Governor today announced that the feature film Raymond and Ray, from Apple Original Films, will shoot in Central Virginia this fall. The film stars Ethan Hawke (Before Sunset, Boyhood) and Ewan McGregor (Halston, Fargo).

Raymond and Ray tells the story of half-brothers who have lived in the shadow of a difficult father. Rodrigo García (In Treatment, Albert Nobbs) will write and direct. Oscar-winner Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Roma) will produce with Bonnie Curtis (Saving Private Ryan, Albert Nobbs) and Julie Lynn (Albert Nobbs, To the Bone). Lynn is a board member for the Virginia Film Festival in Charlottesville, and a graduate of the University of Virginia. Gabriela Rodriguez and Shea Kammer will serve as executive producers.

“Major projects like Raymond and Ray shine a powerful spotlight on and increase awareness of all that Virginia offers,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “We look forward to working with the film’s exceptional team and to the economic benefits a film of this scale will bring to Virginia workers and businesses.”

“The Virginia film, television, and new media industry is a source of strong economic growth for the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “The industry has provided high-wage jobs and revenue to many Virginia communities throughout times of economic uncertainty and especially so for our hard-hit hospitality industry. Projects like Raymond and Ray continue to build our profile as a preferred production location, and we eagerly anticipate the expansion of this important Virginia industry.”

“Attending the lovely Virginia Film Festival whetted our appetite to film in the Commonwealth,” said Raymond and Ray director Rodrigo Garcia and producers Alfonso Cuaron, Bonnie Curtis, and Julie Lynn in a joint statement. “The Virginia Film Office has been amazing, and we’re thrilled to bring Raymond and Ray here, with Apple’s support, to take advantage of the gorgeous locations and fall colors."

“We are honored to welcome the many new and familiar faces of Raymond and Ray to Virginia,” said Virginia Film Office Director Andy Edmunds. “There is truly no greater testament to Virginia’s rich assets, talented workers, and film-friendly atmosphere than repeat customers of this distinction, and we’re enthusiastic about another special opportunity to grow our partnership.”

Recent major projects that have been filmed in Virginia include the feature film Tapawingo, the Hulu limited series Dopesick, AMC’s The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and Apple TV’s Swagger.

Raymond and Ray will be eligible for a Virginia film tax credit or grant. The exact amount will be based on the number of Virginia workers hired, Virginia goods and services purchased, and deliverables including Virginia tourism promotions.

For more information about Virginia’s film production industry, please visit the Virginia Film Office website. To learn more about Virginia tourism, please click here.

Full Release

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Office of the Governor, Commonwealth of Virginia | P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218

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6 days ago