Congratulations to Art Enables! Well deserved!

It's time to celebrate! Art Enables won three categories in Washington City Paper's Best of 2021: Best Art Class, Best Art Collection, & Best Commercial Art Gallery! Thank you to everyone who voted for us -- this is awesome and we are beyond grateful!

We were also voted 2nd as Best Arts & Culture Nonprofit and as a finalist for Museum and Gallery You Missed Most.

Making Colorful Tissue Paper Flowers In Celebration of Hispanic Hertiage Month!

Our last activity in celebration of Hispanic Hertiage month was making tissue paper flowers. Look how good these all turned out! 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: October 2021

From the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy: “The theme for NDEAM 2021, ‘America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion,’ reflects the importance of ensuring that people with disabilities have full access to employment and community involvement during the national recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To read more on this story, click here: National Disability Employment Awareness Month: October 2021

Mayor Bowser and DC Health Advise Eligible Residents to Receive Their Booster Shot

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, as the District remains very focused on ensuring all eligible residents have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, Mayor Bowser and DC Health are also encouraging members of the community who are eligible for a booster shot to get their third dose. Previously, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had already recommended that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) receive three doses of a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) rather than two doses. This third dose was recommended because sometimes people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised do not build enough (or any) protection when they first get a vaccination.

This week’s recommendations around booster shots are specific to individuals who received the Pfizer vaccine and who received their second dose at least six months ago.

To read more on this story, click here: Mayor Bowser and DC Health Advise Eligible Residents to Receive Their Booster Shot

Ruth Christ Sullivan, pioneering advocate for people with autism, dies at 97

When her son Joseph was diagnosed with autism in 1963, Ruth Christ Sullivan found herself marooned, cast aside by pediatricians, child psychiatrists and other experts who offered few resources and little support. “He will always be a little odd,” one psychiatrist said of her 3-year-old. “There’s nothing wrong with your little boy,” another told her. “You’re just an overanxious mother.”

At the time, autism was believed to be caused by cold, unloving parents — specifically “refrigerator mothers” whose lack of maternal warmth stymied their children’s ability to communicate and socialize. But Dr. Sullivan was certain that theory was false: She had seven children, each of whom she loved and nurtured, and only one with autism.

To read more on this story, click here: Ruth Christ Sullivan, pioneering advocate for people with autism, dies at 97

Study: Among Vaccinated, Those With Down Syndrome Face Highest Risk From COVID-19

People with Down syndrome are the most likely of all vaccinated adults to die from COVID-19, new research suggests.

Those with the chromosomal disorder have a 12-fold increased risk of death if they contract the coronavirus after receiving at least one vaccine dose, according to findings published in the British Medical Journal this month. That’s a higher risk than any other group.

To read more on this story, click here: Study: Among Vaccinated, Those With Down Syndrome Face Highest Risk From COVID-19

More Shout-Outs About Our Awesome DSPs!!!

Octavia Brown: Paula and Yordanos want to recognize you for your patience and dedication to the people we support.  Your continued assistance with appointments and day program attendance is invaluable.  Shout out also for staying on top of your documentation on time without being reminded as well as keeping the lines of communication open with management.  We appreciate you, Octavia!

Frederick Patterson: While Paula and Yordanos collectively want to recognize the entire R Street team, Frederick in particular deserves a special shout out for his tireless work ethic and dedication to the men during this pandemic.  Frederick's flexibility and patience with schedule changes, staffing shortages, and safety concerns have been invaluable.  Yordanos shared that they couldn't ask for a better colleague.  Way to go, Frederick!

Octavia McQueen: Ebony and Aisha would like to recognize Octavia for her loyalty and dedication, as well as her calm and steady presence.  Octavia's dedication and reliability is so appreciated.  No matter the situation, Octavia always pull through.   You are so awesome, Octavia!

RCM kicked off Latin Heritage Month Last Week with a Fabulous Self-Portrait Activity Inspired by the One and Only Frida Kahlo

RCM kicked off Latin Heritage Month last week with a fabulous self-portrait activity inspired by the one and only Frida Kahlo. Here is the VERY talented Calvin “Sonny” Clarke working on his pieces. 

We will be doing an activity every week in celebration. Tomorrow at 5pm we are hosting a language learning session via zoom. All are welcome to join! 

To join, click here: ZOOM

Meeting ID: 829 9143 2090

Passcode: 861518

We Would Like to Recognize Some Staff Who Were Caught Being Awesome During Direct Support Professional (DSP) Week (September 12th – 18th)

During this DSP week we would like to recognize some staff who were caught being awesome with their fellow colleagues and persons supported.  Keep up the great work!

Gladys Riggs:  Yordanos and Paula would like you to know that you are greatly appreciated for stepping in and taking on additional tasks without complaints.  You have assisted several homes, other than the assigned home, with outings, medical appointments, and vacations.  Your creative thinking and flexibility during these times of change are so critical.  We just want to recognize you!  Way to go, Gladys!!

Lutisha Thomas: Aisha and Ebony want to recognize you for always being willing to go above and beyond to be sure that the ladies she supports are "all good".  Lutisha will see a need and fill it, including fixing adaptive equipment. Lutisha wants everything to be done right for the women at T Street and can be counted on to provide guidance when needed.  We appreciate you, Tish!!

Charlie Dunn: This shoutout comes from Ivan Parker.  Charlie, thank you for taking a person supported to the WFT game when another staff member could not.  You knew this was important to him, and you made it happen.  THANK YOU!

It’s Next Chapter Book Club Time Again!

It’s #NextChapterBookClub time again. We are continuing to meet virtually and are really enjoying our current book, Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper.

CDC Rolls Out New COVID-19 Resources For People With IDD

As the delta surge renews concerns about COVID-19 across much of the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities understand and protect themselves against the virus.

The agency is introducing a series of resources specifically aimed at this population.

The new offerings include a toolkit with social stories, videos, posters and interactive activities. The materials address five topics — getting a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a mask, social distancing, hand washing and getting a COVID-19 test.

To read more on this story, click here: CDC Rolls Out New COVID-19 Resources For People With IDD

Virginia Ice Cream Shop Employs Two Dozen People With Disabilities

A Falls Church business is serving up scoops with a purpose. News4’s Shomari Stone reports.

To see video, click here: Virginia Ice Cream Shop Employs Two Dozen People With Disabilities

September is National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month, an annual observance to remind everyone how important it is for individuals, families and communities to be prepared for disasters and emergencies that can happen at any time. Make sure that you have a plan! Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that’s familiar and easy to find. 

 For more information, click here: Make A Plan

Vote for Our Friends at Art Enables! It's Easy and Fun!

 

It’s time to take all that pent up energy and channel it into supporting your favorite local icons.

This year you can vote in Food, Drink, Arts & Entertainment, Health & Beauty, Goods, Services, Pandemic Superstars, and People & Places. In addition to updating our existing categories for those places and things that we missed over the past year (Think: Concert Venue We Missed the Most) and including new ones to account for the innovations we love (Think: Best To-Go Cocktail), we’re also adding a new phase of voting.

                               To vote, click here: Art Enables

Education Department will cancel student debt for more than 320,000 borrowers

The debt forgiveness, which will go to borrowers with a total and permanent disability, will be automatically granted using data already available to the Social Security Administration.

Education Department will cancel student debt for more than 320,000 borrowers

The U.S. Department of Education announced Thursday it will cancel $5.8 billion in student debt for more than 320,000 borrowers.

The debt forgiveness, which will go to borrowers with a total and permanent disability, will be automatically granted using data already available to the Social Security Administration. People should start seeing the relief in September.

The Education Department said it also plans to stop asking these borrowers to continue sharing earnings data after they receive the relief.

To read more on this story, click here: Education Department will cancel student debt for more than 320,000 borrowers

VIRTUAL TALKING SERIES: The Impact of Covid-19 on the Lives of People with Behavior Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Thursday, August 26, 2021, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM- Roundtable discussion with speakers from RCM of Washington, DC Developmental Disabilities Council, and the DC Department of Behavior Health on the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of people with behavioral health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Click below to register.

                                      Open to ALL (Residents, employees, visitors) 

                                            Thursday, August 26, 2021, 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

                                                Click here to register: Webinar Registration

                                    If you live, work or visit DC, we would love to hear from you! 

 Reasonable accommodations are available within registration. For further details or questions, please contact susie.mcfadden-resper@dc.gov or 202-550-3234.

Congratulations! RCM is the Round 2 Winner of the Administration for Community Living 2021 Blazing New Trails Challenge!

 

RCM is humbled and honored to be a Round 2 winner of the Administration for Community Living 2021 Blazing New Trails Challenge! We look forward to finding innovative and sustainable ways to continue to improve and move the DSP Academy forward.

Check out the link for more information on the 2 other amazing organizations we have the good fortune of being in the company of! https://acl.gov/DSPchallenge

In Reversal, Social Security Says Stimulus Checks Won’t Affect SSI Benefits

People with disabilities can save money received through stimulus checks and other COVID-19 relief programs indefinitely without losing out on their Supplemental Security Income benefits thanks to a recent rule change.

The Social Security Administration modified its policy this month on how it will treat various forms of financial assistance that have come about since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

To read more on this story, click here: In Reversal, Social Security Says Stimulus Checks Won’t Affect SSI Benefits

The Book Club: Currently Reading ‘Out of my Mind’ by Sharon M. Draper

Yesterday was National Book Day! Today our #NextChapterBookClub met and this is what we are currently reading! Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper. It is a story about a young lady who does not communicate with words. We are still meeting virtually every Wednesday, come join us!

Thank You NADSP, ANCOR, and the University of Minnesota for this National Recognition!

RCM is honored to accept the 2021 Moving Mountain Award for the DSP Academy alongside the NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation. Thank you NADSP, ANCOR, and the University of Minnesota for this national recognition!

                                         (Click arrow twice to start video)

Thank You Phyllis Wheatley YWCA!

 

A big thank you to the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA for the donation bags of household supplies.

DC Developmental Disabilities Council: Meet The Council Members

DC Developmental Disabilities Council

Up next on our #MeettheDDC is Bernard Crawford!

"Bernard Crawford, Community Member of the DDC, Former resident of Forest Haven, People Planning Together Trainer at The Learning Community "

Bernard Crawford  is a prominent disability rights advocate in the District of Columbia. Mr. Crawford participates in several working groups, is regularly asked to speak at various conferences, and is a certified trainer for the People Planning Together program at the Learning Community for Person-Centered Practices. He is a member of DC’s first Next Chapter Book Club and enjoys participating in Special Olympics.

Why I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine (After I Really Did Not Want To)

Check out this video from GUCEDD highlighting the amazing Thelma Green's vaccination experience. Below there are two additional links for ASL and Spanish speakers.

https://vimeo.com/566795198

ASL Version: https://vimeo.com/569618837 

Spanish Language Version: https://vimeo.com/579908785

Why I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine (After I Really Did Not Want To)

Why I Got My COVID-19 Vaccine (After I Really Did Not Want To) from GU Center for Child & Human Dev on Vimeo.