Help UCP of Western Massachusetts Advocate for our Members’ Rights to Self-Determination!

By Morgan Jasewicz, Lead Clinician at UCP

Nearly two dozen community partners came together at the 20th Annual Berkshire Legislative Breakfast for Disability Advocacy on March 21st, 2025 at the Pittsfield Country Club for a dialogue on legislative initiatives regarding the care and support of community members with disabilities, as well as those who support these individuals. Randy Kinnas, Chief Executive Office of UCP, facilitated the outlined priorities included housing, wages and loan repayment, substance use, transportation, rehabilitation for brain injuries, and family support. Each priority intended to address current gaps in support or barriers to those in our community who deserve access to reliable, quality engagement to not only have basic needs met, but to thrive in their personal lives and within the community. There was a spectrum of representation in attendance including individuals supported, direct support staff, family members, caregivers, community agencies, and legislative officials.

UCP’s own, Kristin Saharczewski our Director of Community Living Options, shared her experience furthering her education in the field and the importance of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program in that process. She emphasized the potential negative effects removing this program could have on other human service professionals like herself. Kristin spoke to the larger impact on the vulnerable populations served within human services not having trained professionals to support them.

Members, families, and staff at UCP of Western Massachusetts stand to benefit from furthering these initiatives through advocacy. Each party present at the legislative breakfast represents a portion of an ecosystem that exists for the end of ensuring support and care of individuals with disabilities, and the wellbeing of those providing this care is an important aspect of this. Gatherings such as this are vital to maintaining and expanding funding and legislation to not only continue meeting individuals’ needs, but to develop creative and innovative infrastructure for support. Communication between all within this system encourages an environment in which everyone can provide feedback to be incorporated into decision-making at all levels.

Communication and advocacy are elements aligned with Positive Behavior Supports (PBS), which is a framework for support employed by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) intended to promote full and meaningful lives for individuals by providing choice, building relationships, and achieving personal goals. The framework requires resources that allow for the actualization of an enriched and self-determined life for those with disabilities. Not only are these resources at times scarce in the best of circumstances, but there is also currently substantial uncertainty regarding these issues at the federal, state, and community level.

As we focus our advocacy efforts on protecting and developing support for members, centering members’ right to self-determination is integral to success. Self-determination, or having the choice to make one’s own decisions, is a core component of PBS intended to empower individuals. Historically, strides have been made regarding the conceptualization of care and community integration of individuals with disabilities. Recognizing that all individuals have an inherent right to not only experience an integrated and meaningful presence in our communities, UCP is committed to utilizing PBS principles to maximize members’ opportunities to choose how they engage and live their lives.

What can you do to help? Take Action!
The Arc of Massachusetts provides resources to help you contact your legislators. Click the link below:
https://p2a.co/ft5CxqT