Monthly News &Updates

January 2024

Fair Shake Disability Advocacy Day 2024


Disability Advocacy Day Training will be January 16, 2024 and Disability Advocacy Day at the Capital Building in Charleston is January 17, 2024. The rally for Fair Shake is at 9:30 am on the first floor in the rotunda. The registration form is available! The deadline to register is January 2, 2024.


Remember, while People First members are encouraged to attend, this event is run by Fair Shake network. Do not send your registration for to The Arc or People First. Return it to Fair Shake Network.


Click Here for the registration form.

2024 People First Advisory Board Meeting


On January 16th, 2023 Following Fair Shake Networks Training there will be an Advisory Board Meeting. At this Advisory Board meeting we will be voting on another revision to the People First Bylaws as proposed at the November Training as well as food options, themes and possibly the keynote speaker for the 2024 People First Conference. You can join us in person if you are attending the Fair Shake Network Training or by zoom if you cannot attend the meeting in person. We will not be streaming the training, only the meeting. The link will be available on our People First of West Virginia Facebook Page.


Click Here for the newly proposed bylaws.

Important Changes to WVABLE in 2024


Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, all STABLE account holders, including WVABLE participants, will see a $1 per month reduction in their monthly maintenance fee according to WV Treasurer Riley Moore. This means the monthly fee will be reduced from $3.25 to $2.25 per month. As this fee is usually billed quarterly, it will go from $9.75 to $6.75 per quarter.Also, the annual limit on contributions made to an ABLE account increases in 2024 to $18,000.


For more information, Click Here for the WV ABLE Newsletter. Or you can visit their website: https://wvable.com/

Time is Running Out to Apply for a SARTAC Fellowship


A SARTAC Fellowship is a one year self advocacy project. The project should help the fellow grow their own skills as a leader. The project might work on finding new ideas to help solve problems many people have. It must end with a report or products others can use after the project is over. The Fellows will work on their projects about 6 hours each week. SARTAC pays Fellows $5,000 to complete their projects. Six Fellows will be chosen this year.


T he deadline to to apply is January 9th, 2024 at 9pm Eastern Standard Time.


Click Here to sign up

People First of WV Meetings and Events:

Meetings are held in person and on Zoom. Click Here for a list of meetings.

Check the People First Facebook page for last minute changes.

Webinars:

Each month, several organizations provide online webinars.

AAIDD: Click Here

Additude Mag: Click Here

AUCD: Click Here

PACER: Click Here

WVABLE: Click Here

WVU CED: Click Here

US Senators:
Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R):

Senator Joe Manchin, III (D):

US House of Representatives:

Carol Miller (R) – District 1: 

Click Here


Alex Mooney (R) – District 2:

Click Here

To find your State Representatives:

Click Here  for members of the State Senate

Click Here  for members of the House of Delegates


For more information, log on to  www.peoplefirstwv.org

or use the contact information below:


Contact Information:

*********************

The Arc of West Virginia

People First of West Virginia

1917 Dudley Avenue

Parkersburg, WV 26101

Phone: 304-422-3151

Toll-Free: 877-334-6581

Fax: 304-865-2072


Email:   info@peoplefirstwv.org