Typical Kinds of Support Offered

Emergencies: In addition to 911, The Arc uses a 24-hour emergency paging system where a nurse, program manager, or operations manager is always available to assist in emergencies. This could include medical emergencies, lack of heat, serious incidents in the community, etc.

Becoming a part of the community: The Arc helps people join various organizations, whether they are churches, social clubs, civic organizations, etc.. Through these efforts, individuals form other supportive relationships.

Visiting with friends: The Arc helps people stay in touch with friends, which may include meals together, activities in the community, or vacations together. Staff help people make calls, make plans and help with transportation if needed.

Dating: While providing needed education in responsible dating and intimate relationships, The Arc assists individuals meet and spend time with those with whom they may wish to have more exclusive relationships. The Arc takes care to prevent exploitive relationships.

Recreation: Whatever the interests of individuals, whether sports, music, movies or collecting, The Arc helps them enjoy and pursue those interests in pursuing them.

Hosting parties: Staff is happy to help individuals with parties, whether for birthdays, anniversaries, sporting events, etc., We will help and teach individuals to plan their party invite guests, get ready and clean up.

Physical fitness: Whether individuals want to join a gym or takes walks in the neighborhood, staff will encourage and help them do physical activity to maintain or improve health and fitness.

Medical and other appointments: Arc staff make sure that people receive needed medical services by helping and teaching them make appointments and advocate for themselves with health care professionals. Staff provide transportation or help with public transportation use.

Medications: Arc staff make sure that individuals get prescribed medications and treatments. Staff will help people take their medications if necessary.

Public transportation: Staff teach people to use public transportation and will continue to ride with them if necessary.

Benefits: Benefits specialists assist individuals or their families to apply for and maintain governmental benefits such as Social Security Income, Section 8, food stamps and other programs.

Banking and budgeting: The Arc can assist people with banking and budgeting based on their skills and wishes. The Arc can directly administer an individual's finances through an agency “Management of Funds” account or, people can maintain their own accounts in the community. In this case, The Arc would provide a banking and budget specialist to help with check writing, bill paying, etc.

Futures Planning: Staff assist individuals in considering end-of-life issues, such as choosing health care agents, considering “Do Not Resuscitate” (DNR) orders funeral planning, etc.

Shopping: Staff teach individuals how to shop for food, clothing and other items. This may include shopping from lists, counting money, matching colors on clothes, etc.

Housekeeping: Staff teach people to maintain their living environments. With staff assistance individuals will complete housekeeping chores to the extent they are able to do them.

Laundry: Staff teach people to separate, wash, dry, fold and put away their laundry.

Hygiene: Staff teach people how to tend to hygiene needs such as brushing teeth, shaving, bathing, etc. Staff will provide more direct assistance if needed.

Cooking: Staff teach people to prepare healthy foods by microwaving, baking, boiling, etc. Necessary supervision is provided so people are safe in the kitchen.

Some others: There are many other supports a person may need or desire that are not listed here. The Arc will consider supporting individuals in any way possible.

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