Family Support Services

The Arc provides individualized service coordination to help the people we serve determine their goals, needs and desires.  A person centered planning approach is used to create a plan to help each person reach his or her desired goal.

Sometimes families are unable to afford items or services that are needed to improve the quality of life for their child or adult family member with a developmental disability.  Funding is available for such necessities through The Arc's Family Reimbursement Program.

The Arc's Supported Parenting program offers assistance to parents who are developmentally disabled and whose children may or may not be. This program is one of only approximately 40 throughout the United States, and has been featured on CNN News and Lifetime Television.

Families of children ages birth to 21, in need of educational advocacy may receive assistance through the Empowering Families program. Information and referral, along with direct advocacy, are provided for special education issues.  For more information email:  icaldwell@arcoforleans.org

Parents concerned about what will happen to their child when they are no longer able to care for them can make use of The Arc's Guardianship services, which are available to families looking for long term care and decision making that is in the best interest of their relative when no one else is available to make life impacting choices.

Respite Care offers parents and care givers an opportunity to take some time off from caring for their family member with a disability. The respite provider may be an aide or nurse, depending on the needs of the consumer.

Support groups offer family members and caregivers an opportunity to address topics of interest and to help with advocacy and training needs. Groups also offer an avenue to receive support from others in similar circumstances.

For more information contact
Pattie Kepner, Director of Family Support Services
at (585) 589-1750 or via E-mail at
pkepner@arcoforleans.org