The Arc-Jefferson Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties

THE ARC PROMOTES AND PROTECTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITES AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THEIR FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES.

THE ARC - JEFFERSON, CLEAR CREEK & GILPIN COUNTIES (THE ARC OR ORGANIZATION) PROMOTES AND PROTECTS THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (I/DD) AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTS THEIR FULL INCLUSION AND PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNITY THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIMES. THE ARC SERVES INDIVIDUALS FROM BIRTH THROUGH END OF LIFE IN OUR THREE COUNTY AREA. LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS AT THE ARC. DURING THE PAST YEAR, WE FOCUSED CONSIDERABLE TIME AND ENERGY TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY THE WAYS IN WHICH THE ARC IMPACTS THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH IDD AND OUR COMMUNITY AND DEFINED THE FOLLOWING FOUR PROGRAM AREAS: EMPOWERING FAMILIES. FAMILY MEMBERS ARE OFTEN A PERSON'S LIFELONG ADVOCATE AND TYPICALLY THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL BEST. THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPS AND STRENGTHENS ADVOCACY SKILLS IN FAMILY MEMBERS AS THEY SUPPORT THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH IDD WHOM THEY LOVE. THE ARC TEACHES PEOPLE HOW TO ENSURE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAD A FULL, SELF-DIRECTED LIFE WITH THE RIGHT SUPPORT. SUPPORTING SELF-ADVOCACY. THE MOST IMPORTANT VOICE IN ANY CONVERSATION ABOUT SOMEONE'S LIFE IS THAT OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH DISABILITIES THEMSELVES. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, THE ARC BUILDS ADVOCACY SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE IN PEOPLE WITH IDD OF ALL AGES AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. EXPANDING COMMUNITY ACCESS. THE SYSTEMS THAT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH I/DD ARE CRITICAL TO THEIR LIVES. THIS PROGRAM ENSURES THAT THE ARC REPRESENTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY LOCALLY, AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND HELPS TO CREATE POSITIVE SYSTEMS CHANGE THAT TRULY MAKES LIVES BETTER. CHANGING COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS. ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES PEOPLE WITH I/DD ENCOUNTER IS THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THEM. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, WE WORK TO DISPEL MYTHS, CORRECT MISCONCEPTIONS, CHANGE ATTITUDES, AND HELP PEOPLE SEE INDIVIDUALS' ABILITIES AND WORTH. AS A RESULT, WE WILL CREATE A WELCOMING COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE IS VALUED AND RESPECTED. SOME OF THE SPECIFIC AREAS IN WHICH THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES SUPPORT ARE EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS, EMPLOYMENT, LEGAL CONCERNS, AND SYSTEMS NAVIGATION, AS WELL AS SOCIAL, RECREATIONAL, AND RELIGIOUS INCLUSION. IN ADDITION, THE ARC IS PROACTIVE AND DEVELOPS AND DELIVERS PROGRAMMING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE ON ISSUES RANGING FROM GETTING THE RIGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION SUPPORTS IN SCHOOL TO PLANNING FOR AN INDIVIDUAL'S FUTURE WHEN A PARENT/GUARDIAN WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THEM.