The dismantling of the Administration for Community Living (ACL) was announced last week. It is unfortunately not a surprise given other recent policy changes.
People with disabilities and elderly people are particularly vulnerable in our society. Thanks to the ACL, there have been innovations and improvements to community-based services. This has enabled so many disabled and elderly people to live safer, more inclusive lives in which their civil rights (historically not guaranteed) are protected. The destruction of the federal infrastructure puts all of us at risk.
Values Into Action has been proud to work as a community partner alongside the ACL in numerous projects, as well as with the state organizations they fund like:
- Developmental Disabilities (DD) Councils in PA and NJ, and
- University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, including:
- The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University in Pennsylvania
- The Boggs Center at Rutgers University in New Jersey
- The Institute on Community Integration at the University of Minnesota
- The Institute on Human Development and Disability at the University of Georgia.
We will continue to support our partners at ACL, DD Councils, and the UCEDDs. We are grateful to our colleagues who have shared their expertise through learning opportunities on best practices, community based programs, research, and technical assistance. All of this has led to the betterment of the services and supports we provide to people with disabilities and their families.
I don’t know a single colleague who would not argue for the continued need to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Eliminating the ACL is not the way to achieve greater accountability and efficiency.
It’s difficult to celebrate even the happiest of occasions like Values Into Action’s 20th Anniversary. Despite all the happenings that threaten the funding that people need to live and thrive in their homes and communities, we will look for the light. And when it’s dark despite our best searching, we will be the light.
With that in mind, we share this song by the Highwomen.
To us, it describes what Values Into Action has always tried to do: welcome everyone and appreciate each of us for who we are. We all have work to do to make this world our own. When we do it together, we are more likely to succeed, especially now.
We hope you enjoy this song. Remember, when the world feels like it’s getting darker and smaller, we will make our table bigger and make sure you have a seat.
Addendum April 2, 2025
So, no surprise the speed with which the destruction is occurring. Employees of the ACL were literally locked out of their offices yesterday April 1st. Some received notices early morning, but the result is the same – massive loss in an agency protecting and promoting civil rights for the most vulnerable citizens.
This happened as Senator Cory Booker held the Senate floor for over 24 hours. He broke the record held by a segregationist. He spoke of inclusion, accountability, compassion, and responsible governance. Senator Booker quoted the late great John Lewis and noted that it is time to ‘redeem the dream’. He repeated that is not about right and left, it’s about right and wrong.
For us, it has always been about doing what is right by people no matter the popular approach.
For us, we are comfortable with not feeling comfortable with what is. Especially when programs and rules are prioritized over people. We know that we don’t always know. We know that to figure it out we need each other, and most importantly, the person with lived expertise. We believe there’s a better way even when the path is not yet clear. We travel safer and farther when we go together.
So, no surprise that Values Into Action will heed Senator Booker’s call to redeem the dream. We will not only stand, but sit, crawl. Any means necessary to find a better way for people with disabilities their families their supporters. ‘They is we’ and together we make our way. Better.