The Arkansas Council is concerned about the threat of COVID-19 to people with disabilities, their families, and the workforce that supports them. We are compiling resources to help people with intellectual and /or developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families, and others to understand this public health emergency. For resources, links and more information, INCLUDING COVID-19 INFORMATION, see our Emergency Preparedness Resource Page.
CLICK HERE FOR COVID-19 RESOURCES
In Arkansas, nobody wants to think about experiencing an emergency or disaster. What would you do if you found yourself in an emergency situation? It’s important to plan ahead – especially if you have a disability, or are a caregiver for someone who does. We’ve put together a checklist and a video that can help you prepare for the worst. Visit our Emergency Preparedness Resource page to find out more!
Emergency Preparedness Resource Page
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04/02/20 LATEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Do people have to file tax returns to get the federal stipend of $1200.00 (economic impact payments)?
A: No, you do NOT have to file a tax return to recieve an economic impact payment. The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible using the information already on file for most people. The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to generate Economic Impact Payments to recipients of benefits reflected in the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 who are not required to file a tax return and did not file a return for 2018 or 2019. This includes senior citizens, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are not otherwise required to file a tax return.
In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.
Please visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know for details.
“IR-2020-61, March 30, 2020: WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.”
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03/13/20 SITUATIONAL UPDATE – For Immediate Release
Information Contact: Eric Munson, Executive Director
501-682-2912 • eric.munson@dfa.arkansas.gov
Governor’s Council Shares Public Health Emergency Preparedness Resources
LITTLE ROCK (March 13, 2020) – The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (the Council) has shared additional preparedness resources to support individuals with existing health concerns and other vulnerable populations as they prepare to be impacted by the evolving public health crisis related to coronavirus, or COVID-19.
“Sharing preparedness resources and information is a priority for the Council as we think of the Arkansas developmental disability community and those citizens with chronic health conditions,” said Eric Munson, executive director of the Council. “It is our goal to empower these populations with appropriate information, as much of our state is being impacted by a potential public health emergency.”
About the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The Council is a federally funded state agency that promotes integration, inclusion and independence for Arkansans with developmental disabilities. Council members are self-advocates, relatives and/or caregivers of individuals with DD, state agency directors, and representation from nonprofit and private organizations. The Council works to encourage self-advocacy; to remove barriers to information, services and support; to advocate for policy changes; to develop and support coalitions; and to educate community leaders.
For more information about the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and its mission, explore this website at GCDD.arkansas.gov, and follow the Council on Facebook and Twitter (@gcddar) and find our YouTube channel by searching for Arkansas GCDD.
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05/30/19 NEWS – For Immediate Release
Information Contact: Eric Munson, Executive Director
501-682-2912 • eric.munson@dfa.arkansas.gov
Governor’s Council releases emergency preparedness checklist for individuals with developmental disabilities
Checklist to help Arkansans prepare for current severe weather and flooding threats
LITTLE ROCK (May 30, 2019) – The Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities (the Council) has released an emergency preparedness checklist to assist individuals with a developmental disability (DD) as they prepare to be impacted by upcoming severe weather and the threat of potential flooding in their area this week.
“This emergency preparedness checklist has been of utmost importance to the Council as we have identified a gap of information and resources for Arkansans who have a developmental disability,” said Eric Munson, executive director of the Council. “It is our goal to empower these populations with appropriate and accessible information as much of our state is being impacted by record-setting flooding and continual severe weather threats.”
The emergency preparedness checklist provides information detailing what an individual with DD should consider regarding medical equipment, medications, vital records, emergency kits and more. It also includes education on how to develop a personal support network and information they need to know with in case an emergency strikes, such as how to operate medical equipment, responses to emergency personnel, and how to safely and properly assist an individual with DD in the event of an evacuation.
“Over the last several months, we have been working closely with FEMA, Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, Arkansas Department of Human Services representatives and other entities to identify what emergency information and services are available to Arkansans with DD and how we can assist in informing this population,” said Munson.
The checklist is available for free download on GCDD.arkansas.gov. The Council will also release an emergency preparedness video within the coming months.
About the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities:
The Council is a federally funded state agency that promotes integration, inclusion and independence for Arkansans with developmental disabilities. Council members are self-advocates, relatives and/or caregivers of individuals with DD, state agency directors, and representation from nonprofit and private organizations. The Council works to encourage self-advocacy; to remove barriers to information, services and support; to advocate for policy changes; to develop and support coalitions; and to educate community leaders.
For more information about the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and its mission, visit GCDD.arkansas.gov and follow the Council on Facebook and Twitter.
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