Please Consider Supporting Team RCM For The Polar Plunge On February 1st!

Call to action! Please consider supporting team RCM for the polar plunge on February 1st! We're almost halfway to our $500 goal and every bit helps. If you're not able to make a donation please consider sharing this post so it can reach more people. All proceeds go to Special Olympics DC, an amazing organization that works towards ending stigma and achieving full social inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities through sports and education.

                            To support team RCM for the polar plunge, click HERE!

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RCM of Washington January 2020 Newsletter

See what RCM has been up to this January! And if you'd like to join our mailing list, please send us a private message with your email address. To send your email, click HERE. 

Hello RCM Supporters

We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday break and are looking forward to everything the new decade has to offer! Here are a few updates on what's been going on at RCM and something we'd love for you to help us with. 

Action Needed!

RCM's DSPs (Sean, Jason, Jade and Donyee from left to right) testifying in support of the DSP Rate Act 

The Direct Support Professional Rate Act just passed in the Human Services and Health Committee. It's going to the council at large for a vote on Tuesday February 4th. If we hope to get this bill passed, we need your help! 
Why is the DSP Rate Act Important?

In the District of Columbia, there are approximately 4,250 passionate, committed, and qualified DSPs who support approximately 2,150 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is an ever-growing problem in DSP recruitment, retention and staffing. This is in large part due to the closing gap between the DSP living wage and the DC minimum wage. While in 2013 DSP’s were paid 62.4% more than the minimum wage, in July 2019 that level was only at 3.6% and in July 2020 the differential will be 0%, providing no incentive to take up a job or continue with a job in the direct support field. We’ve already seen that providing higher wages to DSPs greatly decreases turnover rates and job vacancy levels. Montgomery County, MD implemented a 125% DSP wage enhancement in 2017, leading to a vacancy rate of only 4% in 2018, the lowest of any Maryland county where the state’s average vacancy rate is 14%. We hope to emulate that progress here in the District through the DSP Rate Act. 

The DSP Rate Act will put Direct Support Professionals at rates of 110%, 120%, and 130% of the DC minimum wage in accordance to experience and competency, greatly decreasing vacancy rates and increasing retention in the District. 

How to Help!

Contact Councilmembers, specifically Brandon Todd and the representative from your own district to show your support for the DSP Rate Act! The best way to do this is through twitter and email. 

Twitter: Follow the CM’s, post content about the DSP Rate Act, use hashtags #SupportDSPRateAct #FairShot, and tag the councilmembers (e.g. (e.g.  Preserve disability services in DC, don’t let critical work in the DD field become a minimum wage job.  #SupportDSPRateAct #FairShot @cmdgrosso). Brandon Todd's twitter is @CMBrandonTodd and the contact info for all other members can be found at dccouncil.us/councilmembers https://dccouncil.us/councilmembers/.

For examples of what to tweet and retweet check out @CoalitionDC.
Email: Address (short!) emails expressing your support for the DSP rate act to your CMs. Contact info can be found at the website above. 

Please get to contacting NOW and ask your friends to help as well! This bill could make a huge difference in the lives of DSPs, family members, and those seeking support services in the District and we need your help to make it happen!

Featured Member   
Bernard Crawford

On Monday November 18th, Bernard Crawford was sworn in by Mayor Muriel Bowser as he joined the Developmental Disability Council. He’s worked very hard as a determined and passionate self-advocate and we could not be more proud of him. RCM had a great showing at his swearing in ceremony to show our support. Their mission statement says that the Developmental Disability Council, “Seeks to strengthen the voice of people with developmental disabilities and their families in DC in support of greater independence, inclusion, empowerment and the pursuit of life as they choose.” The diverse council comprised of 15 members make a concerted effort to uphold the values of equality and equal protection for all. They serve a culturally-diverse population, focusing on culturally competent care, and address the issues of routinely underserved populations, especially those with the most severe forms of developmental disability. We’re so excited to see what Bernard and the rest of the DDC are going to accomplish!


DSP Academy Covered by the BBC

We’re very thankful to the BBC for covering RCM’s highly successful DSP academy. Check out the amazing video here! 

The DSP academy is a six-week vocation training program tailored to all learning styles and accommodations. Participants learn all they need to know to get a job as a Direct Support Professional, a job which is currently in very high demand! DSP’s support those with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives. This can include; supporting community inclusion, personal care, employment goals, teaching new skills, relationship building, and many more!

For more information including testimonials from previous participants and additional news coverage check out the DSP page on our website.

Book Club!

We've been having a great time at our Next Chapter Book Club last Wednesday! 
The Next Chapter Book Club brings together adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities to enjoy in the wonderful world of reading. All reading levels welcome! We meet at 5 PM on the first and third Wednesday of each month at Peet’s Coffee (1275 First St NE). Come on down for great books and great friends!




                             Help Support RCM's Polar Plunge Team!

Please consider supporting team RCM for the polar plunge on February 1st by clicking HERE. We're just over $100 away from our $500 goal and every bit helps! If you're not able to make a donation please consider sharing this information with others so we can get the word out! All proceeds go to Special Olympics DC, an amazing organization that works towards ending stigma and achieving full social inclusion for those with intellectual disabilities through sports and education.

Annual Holiday Party


On December 6th, RCM held our 21st Annual Holiday Party at Martin's Crosswinds! We'd like to thank everyone who made it out and everyone who supported RCM in 2019. Here's to another amazing year ahead!








                            Check out our website and social media pages!

                   Main Website           RCM Twitter         Facebook Page



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Trump Signs 5-Month Extension Of Program Helping People Leave Institutions

For the fourth time in a year, lawmakers acted to keep alive a program that moves people with disabilities from institutions into the community, but its long-term fate remains in jeopardy.

Money Follows the Person will stay afloat until May 22 under a plan that was included within a larger federal appropriations package signed by President Donald Trump just before the close of 2019.

To read more on this story, click here: Trump Signs 5-Month Extension Of Program Helping People Leave Institutions


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Couples With Disabilities Navigate Red Tape On Way To Altar

Time to end the Marriage Penalty? What do you think, does this make sense?



LUCASVILLE, Ohio — As the wedding photographer snapped away, Sherri and Bill Adams leaned over their wheelchairs for a kiss. One felt good, so they enjoyed another. And another.

“That’s enough!” someone teased.

Sherri beamed. How long had she waited for this? Five years had passed since she and Bill became engaged. Nearly nine since they’d met. And decades had gone by since she first wondered whether a girl like her could even dream of love.

To read more on this story, click here: Couples With Disabilities Navigate Red Tape On Way To Altar



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Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride

Updated at 11 a.m. ET on Jan. 20

It costs just $16 to buy a one-way ticket on the Amtrak train from Chicago to Bloomington, Ill., unless you're the two people who use wheelchairs and tried to buy tickets recently. They were told their tickets will cost not $16 — but $25,000.

When Adam Ballard saw what Amtrak wanted to charge, he couldn't believe it.

"I thought it was a mistake. That's the price of a car," Ballard says. "How can that be possible? I was sure it was a mistake. But I've seen it in writing. So I know it's not."

Ballard works for a disability service and advocacy center in Chicago called Access Living. He is its housing and transportation policy analyst, and a group from his office is headed to Bloomington next Wednesday for a work retreat.

To read more on this story, click here: Amtrak Asks 2 People Who Use Wheelchairs To Pay $25,000 For A Ride



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How Two Young Men Broke The Mold By Using Art Therapy to Help Autistic Children

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A former basketball player and an artist have taken a new approach to treating mental illness and helping kids with autism. 

“Someone once told us, ‘you guys can’t change the world.’ We took that as a bet. So, bet’s on,” said Kenneth Harrison, the co-founder of Aurtism. 

Aurtism stands for art and autism. The facility, which is located at 4880 East Bonanza Road, serves the autistic community.

To read more on this story, click here: How Two Young Men Broke The Mold By Using Art Therapy to Help Autistic Children



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CBS News/DisBeat/LCA (Lights! Camera! Access!) Paid Internship For Journalism Students with Disabilities

Sharing from: The ADA Legacy Project

Start spreading the news - for Journalism students with disabilities.
Now accepting applications for CBS News/DisBeat/LCA (Lights! Camera! Access!) paid internship for Journalism students with disabilities. Must be a current college student for this Summer 2020 Internship in NYC or DC - application deadline is Tuesday, February 11th at 8 pm ET. Check it out --

For application, click here: CBS News Internship Program - Summer 2020




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Against All Odds, Couple With Down Syndrome Celebrates 24-Years Wedding Anniversary

We live in an area where people get married and divorce just for fun. It’s so sad, but that’s the reality we live in. It’s like we forgot how real love feels like. Both men and women cheat on their partners. Well, that’s not the case of Maryanne and Tommy Pilling.

Many thought that the romance of these two won’t survive because they both have Down’s Syndrome. Well, Maryanne found the perfect companion, and Tommy says she is his best friend. That’s what love is about, right?

To read more on this story, click here: Against All Odds, Couple With Down Syndrome Celebrates 24-Years Wedding Anniversary



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Free Tax Preparation Locations In The DMV!

It's tax season! Check out the below resources for free tax preparation in the DMV area for people with an income of less than 35k (56k for family filing).
   
For more information, click here: TAX SITE LOCATIONS – COMMUNITY TAX AID D.C.



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Adaptive Gear Allows Disabled Musicians To Keep Playing

Flutist Leslie Thompson was performing at a recent “Tea & Music” event at Columbus Public Library when, in the question period that followed, she was asked about the oddly shaped flute she was playing.

“I’m always asked that,” said Thompson, 27.

Turns out disabling injuries from a 2012 auto accident prevent Thompson from playing a conventionally shaped flute. A specialist in the Netherlands fashioned a $3,000 mouthpiece – called a “swan neck headjoint” – that enables Thompson to play.

To read more on this story, click here: Adaptive Gear Allows Disabled Musicians To Keep Playing

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Join Us For The Polar Plunge on February 1st!

Who wants to join our team? ❄️
RCM is putting together a team to participate in the DC Polar Plunge on February 1st! It's a great way to show your support for Special Olympics DC and have a ton of fun doing it! If interested, please email sbrooks@rcmofwashington.com

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