The Arc of Southside

06/13/2026

06/05/2026

Upcoming Work Requirements
with Medicaid
Starting no later than January 1, 2027

What is Required?
* Complete at least 80hrs/month of:
* Employment (a regular job)
* Education (going to school or taking classes)
* Job training programs (learning a trade or skill)
* Community service (volunteering)
Who is Impacted?
* Adults aged 19–64 on Medicaid and do not fit into any of the safety categories on the right.

Who is Exempt?
* Pregnant or recently gave birth (postpartum)
* Disabled or "medically frail"
* A parent/caregiver of a child or a person with a disability
* An American Indian or Alaska Native
* Already meeting work requirements for food stamps (SNAP) or welfare (TANF)

Learn more:
https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cms-launches-nationwide-framework-implement-medicaid-work-requirements

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/medicaid-community-engagement-requirement-certain-individuals-interim-final-rule-comment-period-cms

05/27/2026

Okay, this is a pretty exciting one! 👀💙

The hit Netflix series Love On The Spectrum is casting for a new season, and this time, it’s connected to someone local with ties to The Arc of Southside! ✨

We love opportunities like this that not only celebrate inclusion and authentic connection, but also shine a light on the amazing people who make up the communities across our region.

If you or someone you know may be interested, check out the flyer below for details, and please help us spread the word by sharing this post!

05/15/2026

Virginia has not passed its budget yet, so we are still working on reminding legislators of the funding requirements for DD services!

Action Alert: https://arcva.quorum.us/campaign/159975/

Take action today.
Tell your legislators to include DD funding and the EVV exemption in the final budget.

Then share this so more people speak up before decisions are finalized. Every voice matters right now.

It was a promise. Now it’s required.

04/22/2026

Today we spent a couple hours at the Riverwalk today celebrating Earth Day the best way we know how… together. 🧡🌎

The Arc of Southside crew grabbed gloves and trash bags and headed out to help clean up the trail. There were a lot of laughs, a surprising amount of “Wait… what even IS that?” moments, and a little friendly competition over who collected the most trash. 😅

Days like this are always a good reminder that making a difference doesn’t have to be something huge. Sometimes it’s just spending a few hours outside, enjoying each other’s company, and doing something good for the community we all share.

We also couldn’t help but notice just how much litter had built up in some areas. It’s a good reminder for all of us to be mindful about taking care of our shared spaces and teaching the next generation to do the same. Small habits really do make a difference. 🌱

Also… shoutout to everyone who survived the pollen. That may have been the real challenge today. 🌿😂

04/20/2026

The undervaluing of HCBS demeans the very real, complex, and difficult work that caregivers—whether paid or unpaid—provide.

04/13/2026

04/01/2026

April is World Autism Month and Autism Acceptance Month 💙

But awareness is just the starting point.

People with autism are just that… people. People with their own personalities, strengths, challenges, humor, preferences, and dreams. Not so different from you or me.

What can be different is how the world understands and responds to them.

This month, we invite you to take a simple but meaningful step:
Get curious. Learn from someone. Listen.

If you know someone with autism, or a family who loves someone with autism, take the time to hear their story. Ask questions. Be open. You might be surprised by what you learn.

And if you don’t know where to start, that’s okay. We’re here. The Arc of Southside is always a resource, and we would love to help connect you to stories, experiences, and information that bring understanding to life.

Because kindness isn’t just about being nice.
It’s about taking the time to understand.

And when we understand, we become better allies.

Together, we can build a community where everyone has the opportunity to live A Life Like Yours (ALLY) 💙

03/03/2026

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month 🧡

Inclusion doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens when a community chooses it.

We work every day to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live, work, and thrive in our community.

Be an ALLY.
Be intentional.
Be inclusive. 🧡

02/23/2026

Register by March 1st! We want to hear from YOU!
https://docs.google.com/.../1iKtoOm5UmymbEL4J1WuVCyV.../edit
Join Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and The Arc of Virginia for a virtual Lived Experiences Listening Session to share your experiences navigating Virginia’s disability services system. This session is designed to gather input on what is working well, what is challenging, and what information or supports may be missing, and to inform DBHDS’s resource development and the Shared Values Project. We are holding the session for people with developmental disabilities/self-advocates and family members with lived experience. Others are welcome to listen and learn, but our priority is hearing directly from people with lived experience.
We will have 4 breakout rooms for focused conversation:
-New to the DD services system
-On the DD Waivers Waiting List
-Recently received a DD Waiver slot
-DBHDS Shared Values Project
When: March 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Where: Virtually on Zoom

Register by March 1st! We want to hear from YOU!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1iKtoOm5UmymbEL4J1WuVCyV6824DGyKnlVWF4X21jUE/edit
Join Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and The Arc of Virginia for a virtual Lived Experiences Listening Session to share your experiences navigating Virginia’s disability services system. This session is designed to gather input on what is working well, what is challenging, and what information or supports may be missing, and to inform DBHDS’s resource development and the Shared Values Project. We are holding the session for people with developmental disabilities/self-advocates and family members with lived experience. Others are welcome to listen and learn, but our priority is hearing directly from people with lived experience.
We will have 4 breakout rooms for focused conversation:
-New to the DD services system
-On the DD Waivers Waiting List
-Recently received a DD Waiver slot
-DBHDS Shared Values Project

When: March 3rd from 6:30pm to 8:00pm.
Where: Virtually on Zoom