Welcome! This group is dedicated to ending the years long waiting list for Arkansans with developmental disabilities to receive services from the Medicaid Alternative Community Services Waiver (DDS Waiver). This will allow Arkansans with developmental disabilities a true choice to live and receive services in the least restrictive environment.

You can make a difference:
1. Call, email, or write your Arkansas Representative & Senator and ask them to act to end the DDS Waiver waiting list. Ask them to initiate and support legislation to increase funding for the Alternate Community Services Waiver to end the waiting list. Drafting your own letter or email is most effective. Select attachments, then "State Talking points" and links for their contact information to assist you.

2. Contact Governor Mike Beebe and ask him to act to end the DDS Waiver waiting list in Arkansas. www.governor.arkansas.gov/contacts.html

3. Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and ask them to support Federal legislation to make community based services for individuals with developmental disabilities a required Medicaid state plan service. This would end waiting list nationwide and allow moves between states without losing services. Select the link on this site for details of this Federal legislation.

4. Insure eligible Arkansans are aware of and apply for the DDS Waiver. This will notify our state officials who they are and help insure they receive the services they need.

5. Sign the online petition to eliminate waitlists for individuals with developmental disabilities. Click on the "Links" tab in the left margin of this page to access the petition.

Teddy Roosevelt once said "In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing."

Please act now. Working together we can make a difference!