The Arc Of Calhoun County

WE ENRICH THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH ADVOCACY IN EDUCATION, POLICY, AND HUMAN RIGHTS.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDED ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP, ENHANCE, AND EXHIBIT ADAPTIVE SKILLS IN A COMMUNITY SETTING ALONGSIDE OF VOUNTEERS OR EMPLOYEES WITHOUT DISABILITIES. THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT CAN INCLUDE SOCIALIZATION, ADAPTABILITY, SELF-DISCIPLINE, INDEPENDENCE, SELF-CONFIDENCE, SENSE OF BELONGING, SELF-ADVOCACY, PERSONAL SAFETY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, TIME MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONALISM, PROBLEM SOLVING, LEADERSHIP, AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT. THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM PROVIDED 30 ADULTS WITH OVER 7,000 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY.

EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY THE ARC ASSISTS FAMILIES IN GUIDING AND SUPPORTING THEM THROUGH THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROCESS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN EDUCATION STAFF AND FAMILIES. THE ARC EDUCATES ON THE PROPER PROCESSES TO AVOID BREAKDOWNS IN COMMUNICATION TO ENSURE THAT THE CHILD'S NEEDS ARE MET BY MEANS OF REFERRALS, RECOMMENDATIONS, RESOURCES, MATERIALS, AND MEETINGS WHEN NECESSARY. THEIRLOOMS A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE WITH THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING UP-CYCLED GOODS TO THE COMMUNITY, THROUGH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

THE ARC'S SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (IDD) THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP, EXHIBIT, AND ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT SKILLS IN A COMMUNITY SETTING. THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT CAN INCLUDE: IDENTIFYING A JOB OR VOCATIONAL DIRECTION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING IN EMPLOYMENT SKILLS SUCH AS RESUME WRITING, MOCK INTERVIEWING, AND LEARNING BEST PRACTICES. WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH JOB DEVELOPMENT AND ACCLIMATION TO THE WORK SETTING. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES ASSIST ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS WHO REQUIRE ONGOING SUPPORT ON AND OFF THE JOB IN ORDER TO CHOOSE, OBTAIN, AND RETAIN COMPETITIVE-INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT.THE SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM PROVIDED 6 ADULTS WITH OVER 43 SERVICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY.

PROFESSIONAL ADVOCACY THE ARC ADVOCATES FOR THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALL PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES THROUGH PUBLIC POLICY AT THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. THE ARC ALSO OFFERS SEVERAL OPTIONS AND RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUSINESSES, AND ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP EDUCATE AND INFORM, FOR BOTH AWARENESS AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES, REGARDING ALTERNATIVES TO GUARDIANSHIP, FUTURE PLANNING, PERSON CENTERED PLANNING, AND MANY OTHER RELATED ISSUES.