In this edition: Time for Changes in Policing and Criminal Legal System, #TheDisabledBlackMagellan blog by D’Arcee Neal and more!

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By Dominique Dunford-Lack, Executive Director, ECNV

ECNV is saddened by the horrific news and retraumatizing of our communities involving the violence enacted upon the victims in the Lunar Year Celebration in Monterey, California, Tyre Nichols, and Melia Jones. ECNV believes in the immediate need for reformation in policing and the criminal legal system. And we hope for the pursuit of justice and answers for local Alexandrian Melia Jones and her family.  

Dear Community,

I want to make sure you are aware of two positions that you will see ECNV affirm under my leadership, as Executive Director:

In reference to what is known as the criminal justice system, I think it is apparent to most (if not all) of us that there is too little justice enacted in support of disabled lives, black and brown lives, financially vulnerable lives, LGBTQ+ lives, immigrant lives, and other communities living on the margin in America and locally in Northern Virginia. ECNV and I (personally and in my capacity as Executive Director) will always refer to the "criminal legal system" rather than the criminal justice system.

In addition, ECNV will never, in any capacity, support the training of people with special needs in “stopping exercises” when they come into contact with security forces. The inhumane treatment, and the killing of Tyre Nicholas, is nothing but a constant confirmation that the degree of compliance of black and dark-skinned communities is not sufficient to secure their safety. The police and the criminal system must respect the rights of all its citizens and stop marginalizing people.

[Image: Dominique Dunford-Lack].

تلقت ECNV بأسى الأخبار المروّعة والصّادمة مُجدَّداً لمجتمعنا جرّاء العنف الذي ألمّ بضحايا إحتفالات السنة الصينية القمريه في مونتيري، كاليفورنيا، تاير نيكولاس، وميليا جونز. مؤسستنا تؤمن بالحاجة الملحّه لإصلاح جهاز الشرطة ونظام القانون الجنائي. ونتمنى تقصّي العدالة والمسائلة الحثيثة بحق أبناء ألكسندريا، ميليا جونز وعائلتها.

أعضاء مجتمعنا الأعزّاء،

أودّ التثبّت من أنّكم على بيّنة من موقفين تحرص ECNV على تأكيدهما تحت إشرافي كمديرة تنفيذيّة:

بما يتعلّق بنظام العدالة الجنائيّة ألمتعارف عليه، أعتقد أنّ ما هو ظاهر لمعظم (إن لم يكن للجميع) أنّ نسبة ضئيلة من العدالة تُمارس لمؤازرة حياة ذوي الإحتياجات الخاصّة، السود وأصحاب البشرة الداكنة، الأكثر هشاشة مادّياً، المثليين، المهاجرين، وسائر المجموعات المهمشة في الولايات المتّحدة، ومحلّياً في فرجينيا. مؤسستنا وأنا شخصيًّا بموجب صلاحيّاتي كمديرة تنفيذيّة سأشير إليه كنظام القانون الجنائي عوضاً عن نظام العدالة الجنائيّه.

بالإضافه، ECNV لن تدعم أبداً، بأي صفة، تدريب ذوي الإحتياجات الخاصّة على "تمارين التوقّف" عند إحتكاكهم بقوّات فرض الأمن. إنّ المعاملة الغير إنسانيّة، وقتل تاير نيكولاس، ما هو إلّا تأكيد مٌستمر على أنّ درجة امتثال المجتمعات السوداء والداكنة البشرة، ليست كفيلة بتأمين السلامة لهم. إن على الشرطة والنظام الجنائي إحترام حقوق كافّة مواطنيه والتوقّف عن تهميش الإنسان.

The start of the new year has been quite busy for ECNV’s I Am Self-Advocacy (IASA) Program. The IASA program is a Pre-Employment Transition Service (Pre-ETS) focused on helping students with disabilities, ages 16-22, hone their skills in self-advocacy through a combination of individual and group sessions. ECNV is proud to offer 2 different program models in 2023!

Most readers are already familiar with the first model which consists of an 8-10 week program session where students work one-on-one with a peer mentor discussing topics integral to self-advocacy and then meet with their peers in a group environment to delve deeper into program topics. These program sessions are offered quarterly to students referred by the Fairfax, Alexandria, Leesburg, and Manassas Department of Agining and Rehabilitation Services (DARS) offices.

The Winter Program Session began in January and will last until the end of March. Students are currently discussing disability-awareness with their peer mentor, building off the topic of self-awareness discussed the week before. During these weekly and virtual individual sessions, students work with their peer mentor at a speed and level that is individualized and conducive to their learning. During the weekly group sessions, they take what they have learned and participate in group activities and debates with their peers.

By the end of the program, the students will have put together their own self-advocacy portfolio to include things they learned regarding self-awareness, disability awareness, self-determination, disability rights and responsibilities, how to be assertive, and how to engage allies and be an ally to others.

The second model will launch this month to bring the IASA program into the classroom. Currently, ECNV can only offer this in-school program at Alexandria City High School. Over the span of 16 weeks, peer mentors will meet students in-person at their school for individual and group sessions that are scheduled in alternating weeks. Not only will this model allow for in-person interactions, but it will also alleviate the stress of scheduling another activity during after-school/work hours for these busy young adults.

Students interested in participating in the IASA program should talk to their special education teacher or Employment and Transition Representative (ETR) at their school for assistance. Alternatively, reach out to your local DARS office to get started. All referrals must come from DARS.

For more information about the program, please contact the Program Coordinator, Hannah Roberts at hannahr@ecnv.org or call ECNV's office number at 703-525-3268.

The Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC) is pleased to announce the publication of its latest parent-friendly resource, Special Education Complaint Toolkit. This toolkit was designed to help parents understand the Special Education Administrative Complaint process for dispute resolution. The toolkit provides detailed information on everything you need to know about why, when, and how to file a complaint and it helps you prepare for the process.

The toolkit is interactive so you can easily prepare materials and fill out necessary forms. Many of your questions can be answered by reviewing the toolkit; but if you need further help, you can call or email them!

The Commonwealth of Virginia was awarded $250 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the U.S. Treasury to support homeowners facing housing instability resulting from the pandemic. Virginia Housing’s Virginia Mortgage Relief Program, or VMRP, is using these funds to provide assistance to homeowners experiencing delinquency due to a financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic to help address mortgage and/or other qualified home ownership-related delinquencies to avoid default, foreclosure, or displacement.

As of January 10, 2023, eligible homeowners may now receive up to $50,000 in funds to cure their mortgage or other eligible homeownership-related delinquency. Additionally, the delinquency start date requirement has been adjusted so that homeowners with a delinquency related to a COVID-19 pandemic hardship experienced after January 21, 2020 are now eligible for VMRP assistance.

To apply or learn more about VMRP, go to www.VirginiaMortgageRelief.com.

Did you know that many Americans can keep more of their money at tax time by getting free tax preparation from IRS-certified volunteer preparers? The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide programs provide free preparation – without upcharges or hidden fees – and serve taxpayers using rigorous IRS preparation standards and certified tax preparers.

How to access free tax assistance services free in-person tax preparation sites

IRS VITA and AARP Tax Aide sites operate nationwide and offer many convenient options for free tax filing, including in-person service, online, mobile, and drop-off options. IRS Certified VITA and AARP Foundation Tax-Aide preparers offer free tax help to people who need assistance, including:

• People who generally make $60,000 or less
• Persons with disabilities
• Limited English-speaking taxpayers
• People 60 years old or older

Find a VITA or AARP Tax Aide site in your area

1040 Individual Income Tax Return form on a computer screen

There are also additional online resources that provide the same support from IRS-certified preparers.

GetYourRefund.org

GetYourRefund.org lets you upload pictures of your W-2s and other tax papers, so an IRS-certified tax preparer can complete your tax return for you and help you to file your taxes. This service is absolutely free, and everything is taken care of over the internet. You never have to travel to a tax site or sit in a waiting room.

MyFreeTaxes.com

Consumers can also use MyFreeTaxes.com to prepare and file their own tax returns with assistance from IRS-certified tax preparers.

EnergyShare applications for 2023 are now open! Dominion Energy’s EnergyShare Program provides assistance to customers in two different ways:

Bill Payment Assistance

EnergyShare is a crisis program that helps pay energy bills for any type of heating and cooling source (wood, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, electric) for those who qualify.

EnergyShare is not income based so any customer in crisis is eligible to apply. October 1 – May 31st heating assistance support of $800 is available. Any Virginia resident in this crisis can apply for this credit. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211virginia.org for a referral to your local EnergyShare agency. Trained professionals can provide referrals to resources for utility assistance, basic human needs, child care, elder care, housing assistance and more. Help is available 24/7.

In addition, ECNV and other Centers for Independent Living can help people with disabilities who receive SSI or SSDI benefits qualify for an additional $500 benefit once a calendar year through a voucher program. You can email us at info@ecnv.org and ask for help applying for the energy credit for people with disabilities. There are similar assistance programs for military veterans and seniors ages 60 and over.

Weatherization Assistance

Customers who receive EnergyShare bill payment assistance are eligible to receive a free home energy assessment and the installation of free energy efficiency upgrades to help save on their energy costs.

Weatherization Assistance activities have resumed as the Commonwealth has moved to Phase 3 of reopening. Enhanced safety measures have been put in place and projects are being scheduled at the discretion of the weatherization partners and our customers and installation may be available based on observations made during the home energy audit.

Upgrades may include:

• LED lighting
• Low-flow shower heads
• Faucet aerators
• Attic/floor insulation
• Hot water pipe wrap insulation
• Hot water heater tank wrap
• Heat pump tune-up
• A/C tune-up
• Air and duct sealing
• ENERGY STAR refrigerator replacement
• High efficiency central furnace fan motor replacement

For more information, check out the EnergyShare brochure (also view the Spanish, Chinese, Korean, or Vietnamese versions).

The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule Settings Rule allows people with disabilities to access resources we need to live in the community. Learning about the rule is an important part of understanding our rights. That’s why we’re excited to announce a new plain language toolkit, all about the HCBS Settings Rule!

This toolkit focuses on how the Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule helps us live in the community. Community living means being able to live near people with and without disabilities, in a place where we can make our own decisions. This toolkit answers many important questions about the HCBS Settings Rule and community living, such as:

• What is community living?
• What is an institution?
• What are home and community-based services (HCBS)?
• What does the HCBS Settings Rule say?
• What rights does the HCBS Settings Rule give me?
• What rules do HCBS providers have to follow?

Tim Fuchs has worked in disability rights and justice for nearly 20 years. Tim comes to ECNV from BroadFutures where he was Outreach & Operations Director, linking young, neurodivergent people to paid internships and early work experience. Prior to BroadFutures, Tim was Operations Director for the National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), a disability rights organization that also serves as the national membership association of CILs and SILCs. Tim identifies as neurodivergent and has personal experience with ADHD and Anxiety. He is especially passionate about cross-disability advocacy and disability justice work that drives at the sources of marginalization and oppression faced by people with disabilities. He believes it is especially important to conduct our work through an intersectional lens and center and uplift the most marginalized members of our communities. Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Clemson University, where he was also General Manager of the student-run radio station, WSBF 88.1. Tim is a native of Northern Virginia and lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and two children.

Heather Sailes, who we introduced in the September 2022 newsletter is now officially a part of the ECNV family!

February:

• Special Education Workshop Series: From Referral to to Eligibility, (virtual) 2/1/23, 6:30 pm EST.   This event is free.
• Supported Decision-Making Series: Completing Virginia’s Supported Decision-Making Agreement Template, (virtual) 2/2/23, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm EST.   This event is free.
• ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia, (in-person and virtual) 2/2/23 to 3/5/23. Create a free account to watch online films for one week following the date of each screening.
• The Intersection of Race, Disability and Religion: A First-Person Experience, (virtual), 2/2/23, 5:00pm EST. 
• Dance Club at Lucketts Community Center for Individuals with Disabilities, (in-person) 2/5/23, 4:30pm - 6:30pm EST.
• Spring Social Skills Group Therapy Classes, (in-person) 2/6/23 to 3/31/23 at ABC (Aurora Behavior Clinic). 
• Building Strong Parent Advocates, (virtual) 2/6/23 - 2/26/23.
• Say What? Early Communication and Conversation without Words, (virtual), 2/7/23, 12:00 pm and 6:30pm. Presented by PEATC in collaboration with the Virginia DeafBlind Project.
• Dis-Queer: A Disability LGBTQIA+ Support Group, (virtual) 2/7/23, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST.  This event is free.
• Accessibility and Neurodiversity, (virtual) 2/8/23, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm EST.  This event is free for members of The Kennedy Center Office of Access & VSA. $10 for non-members.
• Let’s Talk About Sex: Sexual Health and Wellness Training, (virtual) 2/8/23, 6:00 pm EST.
• Disability Inclusion in Entertainment: Beyond the Pipeline, (virtual), 2/11/23, 5:00pm EST. 
• Medicaid Waiver Basics and Using Your Waiver for Fun and Recreation, (virtual) 2/13/23, 12:00 pm EST.
• Infinity ABA Parent Connect, (in-person) 2/14/2023, 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. EST at Infinity ABA Therapy & Autism Services.
• Special Education Workshop Series: Anatomy of an IEP, (virtual) 2/15/23, 6:30 pm EST.   This event is free.
• Parenting Disabilities, (virtual) 2/15/23, 6:30 pm EST.   This event is free.
• What should I do before my child grows up?, (in-person) 2/15/2023, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. EST at Luther Jackson Middle School. *For families, caregivers, and educators of students receiving special education services.* This event is free.
• Disability Justice is Key to Supporting Victims and Survivors, (virtual) 2/21/23, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm EST.   This event is free.
• What’s New for People with Hearing Loss?, (virtual), 2/25/23, 10:00am EST.
• Strengthening Trust in Partnerships, (virtual), 2/28/23, 7:00 pm EST.

March Events:

• Special Education Workshop Series: Measurable IEP Goals, (virtual) 3/1/23, 6:30 pm EST.  This event is free.
• 40 & Forward: ECNV Anniversary Reception, (in-person), 3/3/23, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. RSVP details coming soon!
• Let’s Talk About Sex: Public vs. Private, (virtual) 3/6/23, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST.
• A Life Like Your Benefit Breakfast (in-person), 3/9/23, 7:30am to 9:00 am at Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.
• Let’s Talk About Sex: Consent, (virtual) 3/13/23, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST.
• Transit Advisory Committee meeting, (virtual), 3/14/23.
• Special Education Workshop Series: Ins and Outs of IEP Meetings, (virtual) 3/15/23, 6:30 pm EST.   This event is free.
• Social Security Basics, (virtual) 3/17/23, 10:00 am EST.   This event is free.
• Let’s Talk About Sex: Social Media and Online Safety, (virtual) 3/21/23, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm EST.
• Disability Benefits: Social Security and VA's Medicaid Waivers,  (virtual) 3/23/23, 6:30 pm - EST.
• Special Education Workshop Series: Dispute Resolution Options in Virginia, (virtual) 3/29/23, 6:30 pm EST.  This event is free.

We recently created a survey for all our consumers, for the purposes of understanding how you wish to read our newsletter. Based on the responses we receive, we might revise our current format. Please answer all the required fields. Thank you for participating!

We begin the new year by participating in the meetings scheduled by our partners to offer the different resources and upcoming in-person events that will be held to inform the community.

ENCV actively participated in the Culmore Springfield partners meetings hosted by Second Story/Fairfax, Network meeting by Fairfax County Region 2 partners, Place-Based Initiative supported by Kaiser to empower residents of Culmore Baileys area. We also met with Tech for Independent Living organized by Arc of Northern Virginia and Edu Futuro to empower our families in Alexandria City. We look forward to continue serve our community in this 2023.

[Image: Screen showing participants of Alexandria City COVID-19 Community Resource Planning Zoom Meeting].

[Images: (Left to Right), Screen showing participants of Springfield Community Partners Planning Zoom Meeting; Screen showing participants of Tech For Independent Living Zoom Meeting hosted by Arc Of Northern Virginia; In person Meeting with Edu Futuro (left to right) Dulce Oliveros and Alexis Rivas from Edu Futuro. Rosalia Fajardo, Salifu Kalifu, Vicente Guerrero and Pansy Walker from ECNV].

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Ruchika Lalwani and Andrew Shaw helped vaccinate 20 people at the Chantilly-based Himalaya Free Clinic. Many people with disabilities came and learned about services such as travel training for seniors and people with disabilities while also receiving a vaccine. The vaccination program was popular and their community benefited from it. ECNV was glad to be able to provide needed COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines to help the community during this winter season.

[Image: Patients sign-in for their COVID-19/flu vaccination clinic].

[Image: A Himalayan man receives a vaccination shot].

[Image: A Himalayan woman receives a vaccination shot].

Cherie Takemoto celebrated the Martin Luther King Day (January 16) of Service as an ECNV representative of CARRT: Community Advancing Resilience and Readiness Together – an Arlington County-appointed committee of community leaders who help build resilience and preparedness. The session asked members of the community to prepare emergency go packs. They began at Washington-Liberty High School, then purchased emergency supplies to be distributed by the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) to their clients who cannot leave their homes.

[Images: Cherie holding up instructions for preparing the bags; Cherie and son, Pete, deliver their completed bags to AFAC].

On January 28, 2023 ENCV was invited to be an exhibitor for ONE LCPS: United For Wellness, Mental Health and Wellness Conference hosted by Loudoun County Public Schools, Department of Student Services. Andrew Shaw, Lea Kundratic and Rosalia Fajardo staffed our booth and provided COVID-19 test kits and shared information about ECNV’s programs to more than 275 participants and 50 exhibitors who attended the event.

[Image: (Left to Right), Andrew Shaw, Lea Kundratic, Rosalia Fajardo representing ECNV at One LCPS: United for Wellness Conference].

On Thursday February 2nd Andrew Shaw presented to a group of approximately 20 attendees at the Walter Reed Senior Day Center about travel training and explained various transportation options such as fixed route, Metro Access and Arlington STAR. There was lively discussion about the transportation needs for the Senior Center regulars. The Senior Center also informed ECNV there was a real need for Rapid COVID tests, and ECNV was within an hour able to provide a supply of 800 tests to the Senior Day Center. ECNV also looks forward to connecting with the other Senior Day Centers in our region to discuss their needs, transportation and otherwise.

The social groups are run by ECNV Staff. These fun gatherings are a great time for connecting, sharing and often take place over a good meal. Perhaps you'll make a new friend, and with lots of pandemic mandates being lifted, it's a perfect time to come back out. For more information, contact Ruchika Lalwani.

February 3 – TGIF Social Group at Sawatdee Thai Restaurant at 2250 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm

February 17 – The ENDependents Social Group (virtual) from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

March 3 - TGIF Social Group at Uncle Julio’s at 4301 Fairfax Dr #100, Arlington, VA 22203 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. (This event has been canceled). 

March 15 – ECNV Board meeting from 5:00 – 6:00 pm

March 17 - The ENDependents Social Group (virtual) from 4:00 – 6:00 pm

[Image: TGIF Social Group gathering at Silver Diner].