Achieva's The Arc Erie County PA

06/01/2026

Meet Emma and Conrad. Conrad, now 13, is a bright, curious teen who loves YouTube, silly songs, and FaceTiming with his grandparents. His mom, Emma, is a devoted parent who fought to bring her son home.

For 14 months, Conrad lived in a hospital—not because he needed to, but because there weren’t enough home-care nurses to support him.

This video tells their story—and shines a light on a growing crisis affecting thousands of families. It’s about love, resilience, and a system that must change so children like Conrad can live where they belong: at home with their families.

No child should have to grow up in a hospital or medical institution when they could be at home.

Watch, share, and help raise awareness.

Meet Emma and Conrad. Conrad is a bright, curious 12-year-old who loves YouTube, silly songs, and FaceTiming with his grandparents. His mom, Emma, is a devot...

06/01/2026

This past weekend, The Arc of Erie County Pennsylvania was proud to participate in the very first Disability Resource Fair of NWPA - and what an incredible success it was.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you and recognition to two of the event’s organizers, who also serve on our Board of Directors: Kieran Dhillon and Brianne McClellan. Your vision, leadership, and dedication helped create an event that brought together hundreds of families, caregivers, professionals, organizations, and community members in a truly meaningful way!

Throughout the day, families found answers they had been searching for, organizations built new connections, and attendees left with valuable resources, hope, and new opportunities.

We are so grateful to have been part of something our community clearly needed, and we are proud of the collaboration and support shown across NWPA.

We were also proud to have our executive director, Eric McLaughlin, representing The Arc of Erie County PA at the fair and connecting with so many members of our community.

Congratulations again to the organizers and everyone who helped make this event such an overwhelming success!

We are truly beyond words.

Today, hundreds of families, caregivers, professionals, community organizations, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, performers, and supporters came together for the very first Disability Resource Fair of NWPA.

What we witnessed today was more than we ever could have imagined.

We heard stories of families finding answers they had been searching for for years. We watched connections being made between organizations, professionals, and community members. We saw people leave with resources, hope, and new opportunities.

One message we received summed it up perfectly:

“You helped a lot of people today.”

Most of all, we felt the incredible support of this community. Time and time again, people told us they found resources, connections, and answers they had been searching for, and that this event was something our community truly needed.

To every attendee, vendor, sponsor, volunteer, speaker, performer, and supporter—thank you. Thank you for believing in this vision and helping make our first year such an overwhelming success.

We’re going to take a moment to catch our breath, reflect on the day, and gather photos and stories to share with all of you soon.

For now, please know how grateful we are.

Thank you, Northwest Pennsylvania. ❤️

05/20/2026

We hope you can join us on May 27! Your voice matters - help shape the future of ODP services.

The Arc Erie County Pennsylvania is hosting an in-person listening session with representatives from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP).

Join us for an important conversation with Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens, along with Brian Dengler and Lauren House. This is your opportunity to share your experiences with the service system for people with intellectual disabilities and autism—what’s working, and where challenges still exist.

We invite self-advocates and families to come together, speak up, and help shape the future of ODP services.🧡

⏰Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 1:00-3:00 p.m.
📍Mercyhurst University | Ryan Hall | 501 E. 38th Street
👉 Register here: https://www.achieva.info/events/listening-session-shape-your-future

05/18/2026

Planning for the future includes ensuring benefits are managed safely and responsibly. Achieva is proud to offer Representative Payee Services to our trust beneficiaries, providing professional financial management and added peace of mind for families.

As a Representative Payee, Achieva helps manage Social Security and SSI benefits in accordance with Social Security Administration guidelines. Services include paying for essential living expenses, maintaining dedicated accounts, tracking expenses, saving for future needs, and providing required reporting.

This service is available to Achieva Family Trust beneficiaries with $25,000 or more in trust under management and is offered on a fee-for-service basis.

To learn more about how Representative Payee Services can support long-term stability and financial well-being, please visit our website at https://www.achieva.info/family-trust/representative-payee or contact your Trust Administrator.

05/07/2026

Your voice matters - join us to help shape the future of ODP services.

The Arc Erie County Pennsylvania is hosting an in-person listening session with representatives from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP).

Join us for an important conversation with Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens, along with Brian Dengler and Lauren House. This is your opportunity to share your experiences with the service system for people with intellectual disabilities and autism—what’s working, and where challenges still exist.

We invite self-advocates and families to come together, speak up, and help shape the future of ODP services.🧡

⏰Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 1:00-3:00 p.m.
📍Mercyhurst University | Ryan Hall | 501 E. 38th Street
👉 Register here: https://www.achieva.info/events/listening-session-shape-your-future

05/04/2026

We were proud to stand alongside families, advocates, and community partners for an important conversation about housing for adults with autism and intellectual disabilities.

Together with the Erie Advocacy Collaborative for Housing (EACH), The Arc Erie County Pennsylvania hosted an event that brought parents face-to-face with legislators to share real stories, real challenges, and real solutions. Families spoke about the urgent need for more accessible, affordable housing and the barriers their loved ones face when trying to live independently.

Right now, there are only 32–35 affordable housing units available for every 100 extremely low-income renters, and many adults with autism and intellectual disabilities rely on fixed incomes.

This event created space for meaningful dialogue around increasing Medicaid waiver funding, reducing waitlists, and building a future where adults with disabilities have the opportunity to live independently and with dignity.

We are grateful to every parent, advocate, and policymaker who showed up, shared, and listened. This is how change begins.

Parents of adults with autism are actively engaging with legislators to address pressing housing challenges faced by their children, highlighting a significant crisis in accessible housing and support services for

05/01/2026

Matthew’s college journey didn’t start with a clear path - it started with a question: What’s possible?

A few years ago, as he approached high school, Matthew faced a more restrictive path that didn’t reflect his strengths or potential. That’s when his mom, Michele, reached out to Achieva. With support and advocacy, they shifted the conversation.

When it came time to plan for life after high school, one option was missing: college. So Matthew and his mom asked the question others hadn’t, and opened a new door.

Today, Matthew has completed his first year in the Bearcat B.E.S.T. Program at Saint Vincent College and is thriving: building confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.

🎓 Want to learn more about college options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Watch the recording of Achieva’s recent Virtual College Fair and discover what’s possible: https://youtu.be/VFOyl3Cfx2c?si=2_D6pucwePgzp1dd

04/16/2026

Sharing this important update: Pennsylvania is taking meaningful steps forward for people with disabilities and autism. Governor Josh Shapiro has signed new executive orders to strengthen protections, expand representation, and ensure individuals have a stronger voice in the policies that impact their lives. Read the full press release: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov-shapiro-signs-3-new-eos-for-pennsylvanians-with-disabilities

Far too often, decisions are made ABOUT people with disabilities, instead of WITH them — we're changing that here in Pennsylvania.

04/09/2026

Join Achieva’s (virtual!) College Fair for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and hear from colleges and universities from across Pennsylvania about what they offer! The free event runs from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and we welcome you to hop on and off as you are able! A full schedule of presentations is available at: https://www.achieva.info/events/college-fair

04/07/2026

Check out our executive director, Eric McLaughlin, discussing support and resources for Autism Acceptance Month!

For families and individuals, an autism diagnosis can come with a lot of unknowns, which is why awareness is important to understand.