The Arc of Northern Virginia

Advocacy and Information and Referral: The Arc provides advocacy and information and referral services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc advocates at the state and local levels to ensure quality community-based services, including housing and employment programs, and expand laws and policies that protect civil rights. The Arc also provides information and referral services for families by phone, email, website, and in person. (Continued on Schedule O) In addition, The Arc helps youth and families with the transition from school to adult life in the community by offering access to professionals at workshops, seminars, and webinars, including the transition series on a wide variety of topics. The Arc also trains self-advocates in advocacy and public speaking skills through a "life like yours" toastmasters and people first programs. The Arc's resource program, transition points (providing opportunities, information, networking, and transition support), is a comprehensive program to help families with realistic, actionable information with which they can make a wide range of decisions over the life span of their loved one with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Transition points focus on the following key decision points: receiving a diagnosis and having a child enter an early intervention program, starting school and navigating special education and related services, transitioning out of the school system, finding a place to live outside the caregiver's home, entering the world of work and employment, and aging with a disability and aging of the caregiver. The Arc also provides personalized online curriculums and technology to enable independent living, which provides support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their independence. The Arc's curriculums can be used as virtual travel trainers, life skill teachers, and virtual job coaches to help individuals live, travel, and work more independently. The Arc's curriculums also expand supports for disability service provider partner organizations through the use of innovative technology.

Guardianship and Case Management/Support Coordination: The Arc provides case management and support coordination services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in the Northern Virginia area. The Arc contracts with the following community service boards: Fairfax Falls Church, Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William, and Rappahannock-Rapidan. The Arc coordinates services in the community through the Virginia Medicaid developmental disabilities waiver program. The Arc also educates families on how to be successful while navigating complicated systems of care. (Continued on Schedule O)In addition, The Arc provides decision making services and care oversight for those in need through the Virginia guardianship of last resort program through a contract with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services. The Arc also serves as representative payee for guardian/conservator clients who require assistance managing their finances and paying their bills.