In this week’s blog post, I want to share a resource that has been incredibly valuable as we’ve navigated L’s Participant Directed Program (PDP) journey: the MA21 Group. You can find them here at MA21 Alliance.
What is MA21?
MA21 stands for the Massachusetts Alliance for 21st Century Disability Policy.
Formed in 2007, this alliance includes approximately eight organizations that have joined forces—sharing expertise, experiences, and resources—to support the rights of people to self-direct their services under the Massachusetts Real Lives Law.
What Do They Offer?
MA21 provides a variety of tools and information for adults and families participating in self-directed programming. For a deeper dive, you can always explore their full site, but here are a few of the resources that have been especially helpful to us:
Live Webinar Series: Every other month, MA21 hosts live Zoom webinars on timely topics in the self-direction world. They often bring in guest speakers from state agencies to explain current issues or updates affecting the self-directed community. At the end of each webinar, they offer a non-recorded Q&A, which I’ve found to be one of the most valuable parts—parents, caregivers, professionals, and self-advocates can ask real questions and get practical answers.
If you can’t attend live, the recorded portion is uploaded to their YouTube channel. MA21 will also email the recording link to anyone who registered.
MA21 Fact Sheet: This is a wonderful starting-point resource, especially if you’re just beginning to explore self-direction for a family member. It gives a clear overview of what MA21 is, who’s involved, and what the Real Lives Law means for individuals and their families.
MA21 Document Library: This one is my go-to. The Document Library is a live Google Doc that’s continuously updated. It includes a wealth of information—everything from laws and regulations, to fiscal intermediary details for Acumen, to the DDS Participant Directed Program Toolbox.
It’s the resource I return to again and again when I need clarity or want to double-check something.
Call to Action
If you’re just starting to explore self-direction—or even if you’ve been in the PDP world for a while—I truly encourage you to take a look at these resources.
A great first step is to watch one of their recorded webinars, hosted through The Arc of Massachusetts: The Arc of Massachusetts YouTube Channel
I also recommend bookmarking the MA21 Document Library so you can reference it as you plan, learn, and continue building your self-directed journey. It’s one of those tools you’ll come back to more times than you expect.
Until next time,
Cheryl
#Life Without a Filter 