Does your chapter have a comprehensive Conflict of Interest policy? Are you interested in refreshing your policy, staff/volunteer compliance and disclosure statement and disclosure on family and business relationships? The Arc has a Standards for Excellence Institute educational resource packet with best practice models for your review and use. Make your funders, auditors, and the IRS satisfied when they review your conflict of interest program. Contact Karen Wolf-Branigin for a copy of The Arc’s Conflict of Interest resources today.

Have you registered for this year’s Summer Leadership Institute et? Don’t miss out on the lower registration rate! The event has tons of sessions on hot topics facing your organization.

Guardianship practices are evolving. Where do you stand on the latest trends?

The criminal justice system is not prepared to meet the needs of people with I/DD as victims, suspects, or defendants. What more can we be doing to create positive change?

Weigh in on these topics and more at the 2018 Summer Leadership Institute. Hear best practices, dig into the issues most important to your organization’s efficiency and efficacy, and leave with ideas, solutions, and a network of personal and professional support.

How to Have Good Guardians: The National Guardianship Association Standards of Practice
This session will share information on the NGA standards of practice and how they support good guardians for inpiduals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Standards include information for decision making practices, least restrictive alternatives, self-determination, as well as responsibilities of the guardian and conflicts of interest.

Criminal Justice Reform on a Budget: Empowering Chapters to Advocate in Their Communities
Experts from The Arc’s federal policy team and the National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability® (NCCJD®) will train chapters/organizations on how to start criminal justice advocacy in their communities. Topics include: handling criminal justice intakes, approaching law enforcement and legal professionals about disability.

Are You Effectively Serving Clients with Criminal Justice Involvement?
As one of a handful of programs around the country and the only statewide program, The Arc of New Jersey’s program provides case management and education for self-advocates, law enforcement, courts and providers. This workshop is an overview of the Program, Personalized Justice Plans; effective communication and training for law enforcement

Check out our incredible program and join us from July 23-25 in the city of Brotherly Love!

See the full schedule here.

Revolution, Innovation and Leadership:
Practical Tips For Guiding Your Agency

Mingle and engage with staff from across The Arc’s national network of chapters, as well as other disability organizations across the country. United by a shared mission, you will explore the latest trends together and build support systems that will help you tackle the tough issues throughout the year.

WHEN:
July 23-25, 2018

WHERE:
HILTON PHILADELPHIA AT PENN’S LANDING
201 S Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19106

We hope to see you there! Register today!

The Arc of the United States is pleased to announce additional funding for The Arc@Work Innovative Approaches to Community-Based Employment Initiative, which will continue to provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) entry into meaningful, long-term employment.

Eligibility: Funding will be available to support Chapters of The Arc who are currently implementing innovative, community-based employment programs.

Due date: May 9th, 2018 COB.

Funding Available: The Arc of the United States will make available $210,000 to support up to 21 chapters in this initiative for one year. The award ceiling is $12,000 per grant. Due date is: May 9th, 2018 COB.

Format: The proposal should be no more than 5 pages in length and will provide a detailed description of your program, its impact on job placement for individuals with I/DD, goals and objectives, and how this grant will help support your goals and objectives. The proposal should also include a complete budget and budget justification for funds requested, including in-kind and matching contributions.

The funding is open to all Chapters of The Arc that meet the applicant qualifications list in this request for proposals.

All applications, inquiries and questions should be directed to Stephane Leblois at leblois@thearc.org or 202.600.3483.

For The Arc, the quote from Martin Luther King, Jr. – “Everybody can be great because everyone can serve” – has a special meaning. Many perceive people with disabilities as the ones in need of service – but in reality, they are an important part of civic engagement at the state, local, and national levels. That’s why we’re grateful to have been selected for a third year by the Corporation for National and Community Service to execute volunteer projects for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

We issued grants to 12 of our chapters across the country to engage in events that addressed the problem of food insecurity in communities across the country. Events included sandwich-making competitions, donation cook-offs, food drives and delivery, and food bank volunteer events. Each chapter’s creative and engaging projects helped further our mission of community inclusion and participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

 “I think it is very important as citizens and self-advocates that we show we care about the needs of people around us by getting outside our own routines and giving our time and energy to the Martin Luther King projects… I was very happy to serve in whatever way I was able to such a good cause and project.” – Sean Lewis, President of Tulsa People First in Oklahoma

Our 2018 grantees included The Arc of the Glades (FL), The Arc of Nature Coast (FL), The Arc of South Carolina, The Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania (PA), The Arc Rockland (NY), The Arc of Kent County (MI), The Arc of the Quad Cities Area (IL), The Arc of North Texas (TX), TARC (OK), The Arc of Davidson County and Greater Nashville (TN), The Arc of Lane County (OR), and Choices for Community Living – Delaware (a subsidiary of Liberty Arc (NY).

Inclusive volunteering gives people with and without I/DD the opportunity to meet new people in the community while helping those in need. These new connections can lead to long-lasting friendships that impact not only community members being served by the volunteers but the volunteers themselves. The projects also have led to building job skills and new community partnerships. Volunteering truly is a win-win for everyone involved! To date, chapters have collectively done 4,285 hours of service with 762 volunteers and helped 10,609 people. Congratulations to each chapter on their 2018 events so far – and stay tuned on each chapter’s social media as they continue to host events in their communities.

Martin Luther King, Jr. also said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” In our chapters, people with and without disabilities continue to answer this call to service year after year.

Learn more about The Arc’s volunteering efforts at thearc.org/inclusive-volunteering.

The Arc is a proud supporter of The M-Enabling Summit, promoting accessible technology for seniors and users of all abilities – taking place June 11-13 in DC.

The M-Enabling Summit Conference and Showcase is dedicated to promoting accessible and assistive technology for senior citizens and users of all abilities. This year’s conference is just under a month away and it is one you won’t want to miss! Hear directly from leaders in the industry about the latest breakthroughs in accessibility and assistive solutions for users of all abilities. This year’s M-Enabling Summit will be filled with distinguished talent, unparalleled educational sessions and exclusive networking opportunities.

With its theme of “Accessible and Assistive Technologies Innovations: New Frontiers for Independent Living,” the 2018 M-Enabling Summit will provide a platform for empowering technologies and focus on next-generation innovations and breakthroughs for users of all abilities. Highlighted topics at this year’s Summit include: Accessible Security, Identification & Privacy Protection; Inclusive Higher Education Forum, IAAP Technical Session & Certification Exams; Digital Assistants; Consumer Technology Products and IoT for Independent Living and much more!

The M-Enabling Summit is the ideal venue to support independent living in an interconnected world for seniors and persons with disabilities. These technological advances are becoming an essential differentiator in gaining a competitive advantage. The M-Enabling program is designed to give attendees tools, knowledge, and networking opportunities to implement into their everyday lives in this rapidly expanding market of assistive and accessibility technologies. Register today!