Encircle Families
News & Updates
June 24, 2025
A Message From the Director – Summer 2025
As we step into this exciting new chapter as Encircle Families, I want to take a moment to reflect on the legacy that brought us here,…
April 18, 2025
Rejecting Harmful Misinformation: Autism Is Not an Epidemic
By framing autism solely as a tragedy, Kennedy dismisses the beautiful, complex identities and contributions of millions of people around the world.
April 10, 2025
ACTION ALERT!
Use your voice to oppose cuts to crucial programs and services for families of children with disabilities.
March 24, 2025
Parent Advocacy
“It’s important not to take these movements for granted. All these rights that we are used to in this society today came about because somebody…
March 24, 2025
Advocacy Skills Are a Family Affair
With guidance from Encircle Families, Susie Turrey and her son Levi learned to speak up for the supports he needed—transforming his education and building confidence…
March 24, 2025
Staff Spotlight: Sarah Dorman
“Working for RSK lets me build bridges with parent leaders and key people in the disability community,” she said. “This helps create support and community…
March 24, 2025
A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR – SPRING 2025
This edition of Connecting focuses on the power and importance of parent and family advocacy. Now more than ever, the perspectives of parents and family…
March 7, 2025
Cuts to Medicaid
This information is sourced from the AAPD Disability Policy Download (January/February 2025), which provides updates on key disability policy issues. For the full newsletter, click…
February 25, 2025
Medicaid Matters: A Lifeline for Conor and Families Like His
Conor is a young man with Down syndrome and autism. Just after he turned 21, he underwent his first procedure with an adult provider. What…
February 19, 2025
Medicaid Matters: Tucker’s Story of Strength and Inclusion
Tucker Murrell was born at just 28 weeks, weighing a whopping 2 pounds, 5 ounces. He spent six months in a Level 3 neonatal intensive…
February 11, 2025
What Does the US Department of Education Do?
The U.S. Department of Education may not be responsible for daily classroom instruction. Still, it plays a key role in ensuring that students—especially those from…
February 5, 2025
An Immediate Call to Action on Funding Threats to DDD Services
(February 5, 2025) —Our coalition of disability organizations—Ability360, Arizona Achieve, Arizona Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Arizona Statewide Independent Living Council, Care 4 the Caregivers, Direct Advocacy & Resource Center,…