Information and Referral
– Many families simply need information on a given topic or service, and then
can accomplish their goal without further assistance. For these families, our
commitment to information and referral is helpful. We provide information by
mail or over the telephone at no cost. We also maintain a library of articles,
books and videos available to members at no cost. In addition, a quarterly
newsletter is produced and distributed to members and stakeholders.
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Advocacy
–
Often times, people with developmental disabilities and their
families must work with a variety of confusing bureaucracies to
obtain the supports they need. They may have difficulty finding or
accessing services for special education, community mental health
services, housing, Social Security, Medicaid and other areas. The
staff and members of The Arc of Central Michigan can help families
to find what they need by assisting with phone calls, letters,
attending meetings and even community organizing, if need be. This
service is available to families at no cost.
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- Arc Financial Choices Program
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Trainings and Workshops
– The Arc coordinates speakers annually to address a variety of
financial topics.
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Representative Payee Services
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Our representative payee program helps to make sure that
individuals are not taken advantage of financially. Staff can
receive and deposit monthly SSI and SSDI payments and pay a
consumer's bills.
This program is offered at a sliding scale fee that is generally
lower than the one the Social Security Administration allows
organizations to charge.
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Independent Facilitation for
Person Centered Planning
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The Arc
provides facilitators upon the request of an individual to assist
with coordinating their Person Centered Plans. This service is
provided to consumers utilizing mental health services within a four
county region. Occasionally, The Arc will facilitate plans for
those individuals not receiving mental health services and are
interested in using facilitation to plan for the future.
Facilitators minimally do the following:
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- Assist
individuals in inviting the people that they want.
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- Focus
on topics of the individual's choice.
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- Share
information about resources and options available to the person.
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- Encourage
group participation.
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- Assure there
is a recording of the meeting.
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- Help to
establish links to the community.
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- Connect
individuals to needed supports from service agencies.
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Satisfaction
Assessments
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Satisfaction
Assessments are short surveys that are conducted monthly face to
face, or by telephone with consumers who receive mental health
services. The purpose of the surveys are to determine quality of
services and satisfaction by the individuals utilizing the
services.
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Everyone
Together – Clare / Isabella
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Parent group whose mission is
to ensure that
all students receive the necessary supports to be successful and
valued members of their neighborhood schools and communities.
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Arc Sponsored
Events:
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Annual Arc Expo
– An event held annually to provide information to the community
regarding various disability related topics.
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Fall Harvest
Dance –
Annual dance sponsored for individuals and members to have fun and enjoy
themselves.
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Annual Picnic
– An event for members to attend to meet other members, network and
support one another.
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Annual
Membership Meeting
– Dinner provided to members to thank them for their support throughout
the year, review the annual report, and conduct general membership
business.
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