Rep. Gail Lavielle Invites the Community to an Information Session for Families of People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

WILTON—Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143) invites the community to attend an informational symposium for families of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The event is scheduled to be held in Wilton, at Trackside Teen Center, 7:00-8:30 p.m., on Monday, Dec. 8.

Leslie Simoes and Shannon Jacovino from The Arc Connecticut will be leading the discussion and will be available to answer questions. Their presentation will cover Department of Developmental Services (DDS) funding and residential supports for young disabled adults when they reach the age of 21 and lose benefits.

The event is open to the public from Wilton and surrounding towns, and will feature guest speaker, Wilton resident, life transition coach, and author, Alison Jacobson, who is the mother of an intellectually disabled son.

“As their representatives, we have a responsibility to make sure that parents and caregivers of people with intellectual disabilities understand the complexities of how services are delivered in Connecticut,” said Lavielle. “At the same time, we have much to learn from them. We have formed a bipartisan caucus in Hartford to work on the fundamental improvements that the system unquestionably needs, and it’s important for us to hear from these families directly. Their voices will play a critical role in ensuring that we have a system of support that is sustainable and truly meets their needs. The greater their involvement, the more we will be able to achieve on their behalf. I hope that families from Wilton and surrounding towns will join us at this event, both to learn and to share their thoughts and concerns. Everyone is welcome.”

“If you are the parent of a young adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities, this is an evening for you to learn more about residential support for your child once he or she leaves school.  What does the future look like for your child?  It’s about what you MUST KNOW in order to create a plan for your child’s future,” Jacobson said.

“We all want our children to be happy and live fulfilling lives. As the mother of a 16 year-old with intellectual disabilities, what the future holds for him is one of my greatest concerns.  It can be frightening and overwhelming.  I learned so much from attending a presentation by The Arc a few months ago and it’s now a top priority of mine to educate as many parents as I can so that we can advocate effectively for our children,” said Jacobson.

Rep. Lavielle extends the event’s invitation to any and all who are interested in learning more about this important subject, in sharing their experiences and concerns, and in becoming involved in advocacy.

Founded more than 60 years ago, The Arc Connecticut is an advocacy organization committed to protecting the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to promoting opportunities for their full inclusion in their communities.

Trackside Teen Center is located at 15 Station Road in Wilton.

State Representative Gail Lavielle represents the 143rd district, which includes parts of Wilton, Westport, and Norwalk. She is Ranking Member of the General Assembly’s Commerce Committee and a member of the Appropriations, Education, and Higher Education Committees.

D
Submitted by Darien, CT

Become a Local Voice in Your Community!

HamletHub invites you to contribute stories, events, and more to keep your neighbors informed and connected.

Read Next