TURNERS FALLS — While staffing, housing and funding were all discussed at The United Arc’s annual Coffee and Conversation on Friday morning, continued advocacy for these issues was the thread tying them all together.

In the first-ever co-hosted Coffee and Conversation event, The United Arc joined forces with The Brick House Community Resource Center to update legislators and other stakeholders on the work they’ve been doing and their current advocacy priorities.

Several area and state legislators joined the virtual discussion, as well as Deputy Executive Director of The Arc of Massachusetts Maura Sullivan, who highlighted the recent whirlwind of advocacy The Arc and its local chapters have undertaken on the state and federal levels.

Sullivan urged others in attendance to build relationships with their legislators, as those relationships are key to pushing for and enacting legislation that supports the individuals they serve.

“It does often take a little bit of time to build trust with your rep. or senator and their staff. Once you build that trust and you’re able to share your story, that story will stick,” Sullivan said. “We really want them to impact leadership at the State House. … We need everyone possible in the Legislature to move our issues up.”

Sullivan highlighted several bills making progress in the Legislature, including the blue envelope program, which provides drivers on the autism spectrum with an easily identifiable envelope containing copies of their license, registration and insurance cards, so police and other safety officials can better work with those on the spectrum.

While the Senate has already passed a version of the bill, which was filed by Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, and the House is considering it, State Police launched its own version of the program in cooperation with Comerford.

Other bills making progress include removing archaic language from the state’s laws and H.1601, which would prohibit discrimination against adults with disabilities in court proceedings.

“The advocacy from The Arc is really unparalleled,” Comerford added, noting it’s sharp, clear, actionable, passionate and smart. “It’s why you’re so successful, so I’m really grateful to you Maura, and everybody.”

United Arc CEO Fred Warren and Brick House Executive Director Thomas Taaffe then highlighted what they said is the biggest challenge facing the people both agencies serve: housing.

With inflation continuing to rise and a lack of housing, especially affordable places, in the area, Taaffe said Section 8 housing needs to be streamlined and simplified to get people inside quicker and shelters, which are being overwhelmed, need to be expanded. The big issue, he added, is just the need for more permanent homes.

“We need a lot more public housing to come online because permanent housing is the permanent answer to the problem,” Taaffe said. “I know the legislators have been doing a great deal on this front, and I thank you … but I think more attention needs to be paid to the short-term and the medium-term, so next winter is not like this one.”

In closing, Warren thanked the legislators for their work and noted recent legislative actions to increase the pay rate of service providers has been invaluable. He noted these types of partnerships are necessary because for-profit businesses can raise the price of their product when the cost of business increases, but “in a non-profit setting, that’s not an option; we all depend on the rates.”

“We are committed to ensuring this increased investment in human services is honored and reinforced,” Warren said, thanking the legislators for the “amazing shot in the arm” for the industry.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.