Fitzpatrick enlists Springfield organizations to help expand program

Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick visited Springfield this morning to announce local organizations have come on board as his office seeks to expand the MO ABLE program.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and The Arc of the Ozarks signed on to help Fitzpatrick's office raise awareness of the program, which allows people with disabilities to save and invest money without losing certain federal benefits, according to a news release. Fitzpatrick spoke during a morning news conference at the chamber.

“These organizations know their communities well and I am grateful for their expertise and leadership on this initiative," Fitzpatrick said in the release.

The MO ABLE awareness campaign comes amid National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. Fitzpatrick is participating in events statewide to expand access to the program, which currently has more than 1,700 accounts and over $12 million in assets under management, according to the release. The program is provided through the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act.

ARC of the Ozarks President and CEO Mike Powers said the MO ABLE program fits well with its mission of providing services for individuals with disabilities.

"Employment not only creates the opportunity for people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence, it also makes our community more inclusive," he said in the release.

Officials with Fitzpatrick's office say CoxHealth was the first Springfield employer to start offering payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts. MO ABLE was launched in 2017.