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The Arc of Pennsylvania Congratulates Nominees for Cabinet Positions in Governor-Elect Shapiro’s Administration

by | Jan 11, 2023 | Archive-News

Harrisburg, Pa (January 11, 2023): The Arc of Pennsylvania congratulates Dr. Val Arkoosh, Dr. Khalid Mumin, Dr. Debra Bogen, and Ms. Nancy Walker for their nominations to Cabinet Positions by Governor-Elect Shapiro.

  • Dr. Val Arkoosh will lead the Department of Human Services, which is responsible for providing the supports and services people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) utilize to live and thrive through the Office of Developmental Programs.
  • Dr. Khalid Mumin will lead the Department of Education, which oversees the operations of the Bureau of Special Education who ensures the Commonwealth’s students with disabilities receive a fair and appropriate public education.
  • Dr. Debra Bogen will lead the Department of Health, which will be instrumental in ensuring access to healthcare for people with IDD.
  • Ms. Nancy Walker will lead the Department of Labor and Industry, in which the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation supports people with IDD who want and are employed.

“Governor-Elect Shapiro’s nomination of these qualified individuals is a positive step forward for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” says Sherri Landis, Executive Director of The Arc of Pennsylvania. “The Arc of Pennsylvania looks forward to working with the incoming Secretaries on the issues that impact people with IDD, their families, and caregivers across the Commonwealth.”

For 73 years, The Arc of Pennsylvania has worked to ensure that children and adults with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the supports and services they need, are included in their community, and have control over their own lives. The non-profit organization is part of The Arc US and is affiliated with 30 local chapters, and over 13,000 members.  The Arc of Pennsylvania advocates for quality services and to protect the rights of our constituency, provides information and resources to families, and increases public awareness of disability rights issues.

NEW Module Just Arrived - Trauma-Informed Care. Visit our E-Learning Module Series. This series provides information and strategies for teachers, families, and paras to support the education of all students.

The Arc of Pennsylvania’s Making Employment Work course is an ACRE Basic Certification Training. In order to receive certification, participants must attend a 3 day, in-person training and then complete a self-paced, online curriculum. Completing this certification course will qualify individuals to provide Supported Employment services with Pennsylvania’s Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Office of Developmental Programs. Our training combines lessons learned from traditional Supported Employment and Customized Employment techniques.

Arc Discovery Employment Transitions (ADEPT) is The Arc of Pennsylvania’s customized employment program. The Arc of Pennsylvania supports individuals with significant impact of disability to seek and maintain customized employment in their community. As a result, The Arc of Pennsylvania’s consultants are trained and nationally certified by Marc Gold & Associates, a national leader in customized employment, to provide Discovery, Customized Employment Job Development, and Systematic Instruction to individuals with disabilities in Pennsylvania who are seeking employment. In addition to providing customized employment services, The Arc of Pennsylvania hosts several certification courses with Marc Gold & Associates for individuals and organizations interested in national certification in Discovery, Job Development, and Systematic Instruction.

Include Me is a new model for inclusive education and gaining meaningful employment for Pennsylvania’s students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Arc of Pennsylvania and Include Me believe all individuals with significant impact of developmental and intellectual disability deserve equal educational and competitive employment rights. Our mission, build and strengthen the inclusive education capacity for all public-school students, and discover meaningful employment opportunities meeting Pennsylvania employee and employer needs. Include Me strives to ensure all impacted students have equal access to all aspects of life and the community throughout their lifespan.

Include Me is an initiative that was part of the agreement on final terms between the plaintiffs and the Pennsylvania Department of Education in the Gaskin Settlement Agreement. We were initially assigned to work with school districts with the lowest inclusion rates. After the initial success, we have grown in reputation among school districts. Currently districts voluntarily chose our services, which are provided free of charge to the district. In addition to our School Age services, we offer transition-age services to help teams plan a path to customized employment for students transitioning from high school.

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