The Arc of Indiana

Join us in wishing our August Birthdays a happy birthday! Thank you for being you!



Image Description: The image features a celebratory graphic against a solid purple background. A cluster of orange and white balloons, including a star-shaped and a heart-shaped balloon, is positioned on the left side. The text "Happy Birthday" in large, bold yellow and orange letters is prominently displayed in the center. Below it, in smaller orange text, it reads, "To our great staff! We want to say Happy Birthday to: Alex, Crystal, Ella, Karly, & Ofelia." Confetti in various colors (orange, yellow, blue, and white) is scattered around the top right corner of the image. In the bottom left corner, the logo of "The Arc Indiana" is displayed in white and orange.

Hey hat lovers ! 🧢🧢🧢 Check out this awesome partnership with Lids

Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open: Parents of children with disabilities can apply for up to $20,000 for their child with disabilities or their siblings

Effective March 1 through September 1, 2024, Hoosier parents of children with disabilities can apply for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account for the 2024-2025 school year.

Parents can use INESA dollars for a variety of qualified expenses for educational support, such as tuition and fees, transportation costs, therapies, tutoring, vocational and life-skills courses, extra-curriculum programs, and other expenses related to the student’s education.

The INESA application deadline is 11:59 p.m., September 1, 2024

Parents can learn more about INESA and apply at in.gov/tos/inesa.



[Image Description: The image shows a young child with blond hair sitting on a wooden chair, concentrating intently on a green spiky ball. The child is wearing a navy blue shirt with light blue stripes and looks absorbed in the tactile experience. In the background, the setting appears to be a colorful playroom, with a blue guitar, a bookshelf, and a toy car visible

To the right of the child, a large, square graphic panel takes up about one-third of the image. The panel has a purple background behind the text and an orange band behind it. An orange downward-facing arrow is positioned above the main text to draw attention. White text reads: "Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open. IN.GOV/TOS/INESA"]

Read The Arc of Indiana CEO Kim Dodson's comments on the waiver rollout in the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Waiver changes bring frustrating summer to Indiana families • Indiana Capital Chronicle Summer has been frustrating for thousands of families across the state as Indiana makes waiver changes for thousands.

If you've been on one of our visits this year, you may have been lucky enough to get one of our personalized The Arc of Indiana cookies! Thank you to Mama Bird Bakery Indy: a bakery that believes in and supports the mission of The Arc by employing folks with disabilities in -- competitive, integrated employment.



[ID: a brown box filled with individually wrapped rectangular white cookies with The Arc of Indiana's logo printed on them.]

The Arc of Indiana: Weekly News - https://mailchi.mp/arcind/the-arc-of-indiana-weekly-news-1508078

The Arc of Indiana is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 34th Anniversary. On July 26th we celebrate this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.



[ID: series of pictures of people with disabilities of different races, ages, and disabilities; white text on each reads "Because of the ADA... I Can." The Arc of Indiana's logo is in the upper left corner.]

Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open: Parents of children with disabilities can apply for up to $20,000 for their child with disabilities or their siblings

Effective March 1 through September 1, 2024, Hoosier parents of children with disabilities can apply for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account for the 2024-2025 school year.

Parents can use INESA dollars for a variety of qualified expenses for educational support, such as tuition and fees, transportation costs, therapies, tutoring, vocational and life-skills courses, extra-curriculum programs, and other expenses related to the student’s education.

The INESA application deadline is 11:59 p.m., September 1, 2024

Parents can learn more about INESA and apply at in.gov/tos/inesa.



[Image Description: The image shows a young girl sitting in a wheelchair at a desk. She is wearing a colorful sleeveless dress adorned with bright floral patterns, featuring shades of green, pink, orange, and yellow. On the desk in front of her is a toy cash register, coins, and a green toy bin. The cash register is primarily white with yellow accents and features colorful buttons.

To the right of the girls, a large, square graphic panel takes up about one-third of the image. The panel has a purple background behind the text and an orange band behind it. An orange downward-facing arrow is positioned above the main text to draw attention. White text reads: "Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open. IN.GOV/TOS/INESA"]

The Arc of Indiana: Weekly News - https://mailchi.mp/arcind/the-arc-of-indiana-weekly-news-1508070

July is -- here's how our employees are showcasing their and !

Thank you to the Indianapolis Recorder for taking the time to speak with us!

“I showcase the joy in disability” - Indianapolis Recorder Indiana residents join the world in celebrating Disability Pride Month For Americans, July is a month for fireworks. Worldwide, July is also a month for a different celebration — the […]

Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open: Parents of children with disabilities can apply for up to $20,000 for their child with disabilities or their siblings

Effective March 1 through September 1, 2024, Hoosier parents of children with disabilities can apply for the Indiana Education Scholarship Account for the 2024-2025 school year.

Parents can use INESA dollars for a variety of qualified expenses for educational support, such as tuition and fees, transportation costs, therapies, tutoring, vocational and life-skills courses, extra-curriculum programs, and other expenses related to the student’s education.

The INESA application deadline is 11:59 p.m., September 1, 2024

Parents can learn more about INESA and apply at in.gov/tos/inesa.



[Image Description: On the left, there is a photograph of two young girls smiling and standing close to each other. One girl, wearing a purple, teal, and white tie-dye dress, stands while holding hands with the other girl seated in a wheelchair. The girl in the wheelchair is wearing glasses and a white T-shirt with black leggings that have purple patterns on them. They are positioned inside of a large, rounded stone structure with a circular opening.

To the right of the girls, a large, square graphic panel takes up about one-third of the image. The panel has a purple background behind the text and an orange band behind it. An orange downward-facing arrow is positioned above the main text to draw attention. White text reads: "Indiana Education Scholarship Account Application Period Open. IN.GOV/TOS/INESA"]

The Arc of Indiana: Weekly News - https://mailchi.mp/arcind/the-arc-of-indiana-weekly-news-1508058 New - Changes to Medicaid Waiver Fact Sheets

My name is Michkeal and in 2020, I was so depressed, unoptimistic, and unmotivated. COVID was happening, and I was working at a job that made me miserable. Before the year ended, I had been terminated from that job, and I couldn't go back to school because I had too many credit hours. I was stuck. In 2021, I joined St. Louis Arc, and it changed my whole life. I joined their Board of Directors as a self-advocate; I became the president of a newly formed program called St. Louis Self Advocate; I got a part-time job with the Boys and Girls of Greater St. Louis, and I was on the committee for Disability Rights Legislative Day in Jefferson City, Missouri.

In 2022, I was on a roll - not only was I on the committee, but I was also the emcee of Legislative Day, and I received a proclamation as a token of my dedication. I was awarded as a nominee at the Missouri Mental Health Champions Banquet. I also got a job as a Paraprofessional for the Special School District of St. Louis County that year. Who would've thought that a young black man on the spectrum, with ADD/ADHD and a depressive disorder, would be fulfilling all these things? But I'm not done - I want to accomplish my associate degree so I can transfer to a four-year university to double major in French and Spanish with a minor in African American Studies. After all this, I am so proud of myself.



ID: Two people standing on a stage, holding an award together.

Division of Family Resources' fax number changed

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Family Resources’ fax number has changed to 888-436-9199.

Documents can still be submitted by mail, at a local DFR office, via the Benefits Portal, and fax at 888-436-9199. The FSSA Division of Family Resources can still be reached by calling 800-403-0864.

Obtenga más información y comparta su historia en arcind.org/news/share-your-story-2.



ID: The image shows a man with amputated legs using a wheelchair and a young girl, likely his child, standing next to him outdoors. They are smiling and appear to be taking a selfie with a smartphone. The man has short dark hair, tattoos on his arms, and is wearing a grey short-sleeved t-shirt. The girl, having dark hair as well, is wearing a pink hoodie. They are in a natural setting with green foliage in the background and a wooden log barrier behind them. On the right side of the image, there is a large QR code. Text reads: "Comparte Tu Historia | El Arc de los Estados Unidos y el Arc de Indiana están buscando las experiencias de las personas con discapacidades para aprender cómo funciona (o no funciona) Medicaid, para que podamos trabajar juntos para educar y abogar por cambios. ¡Compartir es fácil! Puedes escanear el código QR con una aplicación de escáner o ir a este enlace en su navegador: arcind.org/share-your-story-2/"

This month on : Education Scholarship Accounts. While some families of students with disabilities are happy with their local school system, other families want to explore their educational options. Educational Scholarship Accounts are a program through the State Treasurer’s Office that offers families the ability to tailor their children’s education to their needs. Join us tonight when PJ Vaught, Community Outreach Manager for the Education Scholarship Accounts, discusses the opportunities available through Education Scholarship Accounts.

If you're already registered for , you don't need to do anything else! If you haven't registered yet, sign up here: arcind.org/our-programs/videos-webinars/



[ID: In the background, a woman is pictured in a bright, modern office setting, sitting at a desk while writing notes and looking at a laptop screen. The office space has large windows allowing natural light to fill the room, and there are indoor plants and decorative items present. Overlaid on the image are blocks of solid color containing text. The upper portion of the image has an orange block with the text "Ask The Arc Webinar Series" and the logo of The Arc of Indiana in the upper right corner. Below this, a large blue block of color spans the bottom region with information about the event. The color palette consists of orange, blue, and white text, making for a visually striking contrast against the office backdrop.

In the teal is white text reading: "July 11, 2024. Education Scholarship Accounts. Join Karly at 6:00 pm Eastern to dive into preparing for your Case Conference Committee! Register: arcind.org/our-programs/videos-webinars/"]

Russell Lehmann is an amazing advocate, author, motivational speaker, and trailblazer in the disability community. He also happens to have autism. Learn how Russell went from an isolated recluse to a public speaker in his recent TedTalk, “When Ignorance Becomes Awareness.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDCcDOEnZro



ID: A headshot of a man wearing a black t-shirt and smiling softly.