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The Real Struggles: Talking About Suicide Among People with Disabilities
Two years ago on August 9th, my family lost a loved one to suicide. He was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and soon to be father. While he was not a person with a disability, he had addiction and mental health issues. He received a lot of support and still the result was tragic. […]
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Welcome to Pam’s World
Independence, Creativity, and Choice…three individual rights that are sometimes taken for granted. Imagine being a person with disabilities who relies on the support of others to exercise these simple rights. Consider being unable to choose what you wear, the foods you eat, or the places you visit. This is the unfortunate reality for many people […]
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With, Not For.
With, not For. That is a power statement and one that is used frequently here at Values into Action. It’s the cornerstone on which the work we do is supported. The collaborative model works to bring everyone to the table. This allows people to forge a path into a space where once hidden voices have […]
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Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act
S.762 – Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Access Act Introduced by Senator Bob Casey 3/09/2023. Why is HCBS Access Act Important? There are many older adults and people with disabilities living in America who need help with daily activities. Many are eligible for Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) to support their everyday needs. […]
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Celebrating Collaboration
Values Into Action’s collaboration with Delaware County Advocacy & Resource Organization (DCARO) has been in place and growing for years. DCARO is a membership organization. Their main goal is to help people with disabilities who live in Delaware County. They are advocates for inclusive public policy and provide social and recreational opportunities. Values Into Action […]
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Our Journey with Charting the LifeCourse
The Charting the LifeCourse framework is driven by the core belief that “all people have the right to live, love, work, play and pursue their life aspirations.” Charting the LifeCourse is designed to be used in our own life, for our family members, and in the work we do. The framework and tools help to […]
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Planning for Success
Emergency planning is something most of us learned about in elementary school. We learned we needed to know what to do in case of an emergency and how to get help. You may remember asking your family what your role in the family plan was. Some of you were able to leave it at “call […]
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Saving Money for the Future
Note: All investment strategies and investments involve risk of loss. Nothing contained in this website should be construed as investment advice. Information contained in this article is relevant to people employed with Values Into Action. If you are employed elsewhere, speak with your employer about the availability of 401k/Profit Sharing Plans. Two important lessons in […]
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Ending Subminimum Wages
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) H.R. 1263 introduced February 28, 2023 by Representative Bobby Scott (VA – Democrat) And S.B. 533 introduced February 27, 2023 by Senator Casey (PA – Democrat) Background Many Americans still work in places where there are only people with disabilities, and they earn less than minimum wage. This […]
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Finding My Way
It began in January of 2020 with a trusted and respected friend who knew I was having trouble finding a job. I began working at a local movie theatre, but the hours and the pay were not enough to support my family. My friend had told me she knew about a company named Values Into […]