INARF is pleased to announce that the agenda for the Annual Pre-Conference Leadership Development Symposium has been revised to feature a presentation by Robert (Bob) Crisan, Senior Vice President, Employee Benefits, of Hylant Group titled "ACA Pay or Play Rules for Employers." During this session, Bob will cover an overview of Pay or Play Rules, information on determining full-time status of employees, and a look at potential penalties and minimum value actuarial calculators. 

Continuing with the "paper-lite" format of the past few years, INARF is pleased to announce the availability of session handouts for the 2013 Annual Conference. Registered annual conference attendees may access available handouts on the dedicated INARF Annual Conference webpage. 

Aaron joined INARF in March of 2012 as an Account Executive with the State Use Program, where he connects work centers employing persons with disabilities to state and local government entities who purchase products and services. He also provides marketing and communications support to INARF and the State Use Program and serves as a liaison to the Business & Industry Professional Interest Section.

The Janus Developmental Services Doorways Shapes Program has received an extra boost after receiving a grant from the TJX Foundation. The Doorways Shapes Program is designed to offer individuals with disabilities the opportunity to adopt healthy lifestyles through exercise and nutrition.

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The Ruderman Family Foundation has announced the launch of the 2013 Ruderman Prize in Disability, providing $250,000 in funding to recognize innovative and inclusive disability service programming impacting individuals in the Jewish community. Submissions are due March 18.

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Mark Draves, CEO of Carey Services, will retire after 44 years of service. Mark has contributed greatly to the advancement of the provider industry and worked tirelessly to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities and their families. Mark is a past Chair of the INARF Board of Directors, a sitting Board member, and a longtime volunteer serving on numerous committees and task forces, particularly those advancing direct support workforce issues and concerns.

INARF has learned that a new report has found that an expansion of Indiana's Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would generate up to $3.4 billion in new economic activity in the state. According to the report by the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Center for Health Policy, these funds could result in at least $108 million in additional state and local tax revenue each year and would support more than 30,000 jobs through 2020.