L'Arche GWDC

January 7, 2021

In the first week of January, Virginia held its (virtual) budget hearings. These are important meetings where different residents of the state can make known their requests for how the state budget will be used. L’Arche GWDC community members attended to request funding for services for Virginians with developmental disabilities. (You can read more about funding for these services and other relevant legislative issues in Virginia at the Arc of Virginia website.)

Charles Clark, core family member at L’Arche GWDC in Virginia gave his testimony which you can read in full below:

Good morning, my name is Charles Clark and I live in Arlington County.

Today I am asking you to take action to fully fund priority one of the DD Waiver waitlist.

Currently, there are over 3,000 children and adults with disabilities who critically need access to the Medicaid waiver.

The Medicaid waiver helped me come to L’Arche – where I live now. At L’Arche we support each other – if I need something I have people around me who I can ask for help. I also am able to support and help them.

 Living at L’Arche has allowed me to keep my independence and make my own choices. And I’m a good cook.

I hope that you will fund additional waivers for each of the people in the Priority One Waitlist so that they too can enjoy independence and not worry about getting the services they need.

Thank you very much – it’s nice to talk with you.