Archived Newsletter Articles for Council Connections

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with disabilities. We also follow policy developments at key government agencies, including Human Services and Education.

Vermont's Agency of Education (AOE) recently published a seven (7) page document informing schools of their options for restraining, secluding, or relocating a student while following coronavirus health and safety guidelines.

Many advocates are frustrated by outdated federal laws that allow Americans with disabilities to be paid less than people without disabilities for the same work.

What's worse than catching COVID-19? Catching COVID- 19 and the flu at the same time. They're both diseases that attack your lungs and can work together to seriously hurt or kill people.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with disabilities. We also follow policy developments at key government agencies, including Human Services and Education.

The federal government says that expectations have not changed for special education students who are transitioning out of high school this year.

States could see a drastic change in financial assistance from the Federal Government if the 2020 Census concludes before everyone has the chance to respond.

The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council (VTDDC) has put together 1,300 individual care bags for self-advocates and family members to help them combat the coronavirus.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of development at key government agencies.

A half-century old federal law will relieve anyone of their student debt as long as they have a significant disability, but too often people default on their loans because they're over-burdened by years of unnecessary paperwork.

Several years of information gathering about America's general population has found that there is a significantly hire percentage of children with disabilities living in rural settings than urban ones.

Despite physical distancing guidelines, a newspaper insert in SevenDaysVT finds a way to spread neighborly cheer and celebrate people with disabilities in their communities.

Under pressure to find savings, the Social Security Administration wants to revisit guidelines for people who receive, or wish to receive, Social Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Through an electronic newsletter the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council (VTDDC) has made a commitment to keep Vermonters informed about Legislative issues that will affect those in the disability community.

Vermonters with disabilities were reminded of the $70 million dollar gap in the State's budget as Governor Phil Scott briefly mentioned year-after-year cuts to agencies, departments, programs, and services.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of development at key government agencies.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of development at key government agencies.

A rule change by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will potentially harm food-insecure Americans who rely on food stamps, including as many as 5,204 Vermont households

Affordable housing options expanded for Americans with disabilities as Federal Government awards millions.

When we ring in the New Year 2020, we will begin a year-long celebration of the 50th Anniversary of State Developmental Disabilities Councils.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of development at key government agencies.

Governor Phil Scott and State Legislators are voicing concern about using Medicaid to support the State’s only accountable care organization, OneCare Vermont.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) released a nationwide statement that further clarified how settings must operate if they wish to receive Medicaid funding from the home-and-community based services waiver.

In 2014 the Federal Government gave states clear instructions - update community-based services to ensure that all case management activities are free from “undue conflict of interest.”

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of development at key government agencies.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently weighed-in on the question of whether an employee is entitled to unpaid leave to attend a child’s special education meetings under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

The Trump Administration is preparing to shift the rules for how States grant Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), possibly forcing 3 million American adults and children to experience some form of food insecurity and hunger.

The Green Mountain Care Board approved another rate increase to the top two health care insurers in Vermont, affecting everyone enrolled in Vermont Health Connect.

Developmental Disabilities Council members and staff from across the nation came together in early July to celebrate diversity, learn from each other, and honor outstanding individuals who have dedicated their lives to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.

The Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) hosted a public meeting on July 16 to discuss the recommendations made in a recent study of the rates paid to designated and specialized service agencies.

A nationwide study has concluded that more people with disabilities voted in 2018 than in either of the last two mid-term elections (2014 and 2010).

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...and in the summer, we also take note of national policy issues.

Disability advocates are concerned about a new US Department of Health and Human Services rule that grants protections to healthcare providers who make decisions based on their own personal and religious beliefs.

As acceptance rates for disability-benefits plummet, more people are becoming employed in the general workforce. The national message is clear, "There's a job for everyone."

Professionals encourage parents and teachers to consider physical barriers, sensory issues, and what can be done to keep all students with disabilities safe.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

The Senate Appropriations Committee would like to have H. 542 (also known as "the big bill") increase funding to services that help low-income and vulnerable Vermonters.

Have you ever witnessed discrimination or been discriminated against, and wondered "Why isn't someone doing something?"

The Department of Education has been urged by eight (8) Republican members of Congress to revisit how the federal government implements the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

The ABLE Age Adjustment Act (S. 817) has been reintroduced in the new Congress by a bipartisan group that seeks to expand eligibility in the popular program from 8 million people to 14.1 million.

Seniors and people with disabilities who follow doctors’ recommendations and attend their annual physical are likely to see a steep charge unless they know exactly what to ask for.

Self-advocates and allies rumbled by suggested language in the United States Department of Education's budget that seeks to eliminate federal funding for the Special Olympics.

The Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council (VTDDC) accepted an invitation from the Agency of Human Services to discuss changes to how Vermonters with disabilities receive services and funding.

A new bill proposes stronger protections for car shoppers so that they're not misled about credit, affordability, and the size of their monthly payments.

Washington delegates who represent Vermont all seem to share the same message - make medication affordable so that people can live.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

The Food and Drug Administration will finalize regulations they began outlining in 2016 to ban electrical stimulation devices from being used to influence the behavior of people with developmental disabilities.

As baby boomers enter their golden years, they are applying for more financial assistance from the federal government because of a disability or financial hardship. In 2017, ten-thousand people died waiting for that help - over a thousand more people than the previous year.

The Vermont Department of Health Access (DVHA) has recently recommended that the Vermont health information exchange (VHIE) change its approach to how Vermonters consent to sharing their health information with the medical staff that use the exchange.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

Seven (7) of ten (10) home health agencies in Vermont may see a significant funding cut from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as eligibility phases out for supplemental payments to providers serving rural areas.

The Green Mountain Care Board is seeking public comment on a costly budget proposal that continues to reshape the way Vermonters pay for health and healthcare outcomes.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...

To bolster Medicaid-funded community-based services, disability-rights advocates and service providers came together to discuss quality measures, financial agreements, and opportunities within healthcare reform.

The proposed bill would give nationwide clearance to law enforcement agencies and allow them to reach the public whenever a missing adult with a disability is in danger.

At a time when "shopping around" is a way of life for many Americans, Vermonters are urged to consider their budgets, their health, and insurance plans.

VTDDC is at the State House closely monitoring policy that could impact Vermonters with developmental disabilities...