Evolution of ARC: From Advocacy to Service Provider – A Dialogue on Developments in Developmental Disabilities & Guardia

1. SW 644: Issues in Developmental DisabilitiesParent Advocacy, Organizations, and New Directions Part II Discussion and Dialogue with Jim Hoegemeier and Don Anderson

2. History of ARC 1949- Started in WI

3. ARC Expands to Homes • Address functional daily living skills for kids who were not in institutions • Small programs developed - in homes or church basements -start of special education

4. Push for Community Living Arrangement • Kids growing up into their 20’s and wanting to move out of the house to experience • In 1970’s, there was a big push for community living arrangements and very little government financial support • Into the 80’s the government began to realize the importance of community living arrangements and funds became more available

5. Funds Shift from Institutional Settings to Community Base

6. Aging With Disabilities • Up until the 90’s focus not on older people with developmental disabilities or older caretakers

7. Guardianship • When a person with a developmental disability turns 18, his or her parent becomes the legal guardian • People with developmental disabilities are outliving parents and siblings • A guardian should protect the rights of the individual

8. “Corporate” Guardian • Guardian works for an agency and is being paid by individual or county • Benefit: Independent • Usually used as last resort • Guardianship should be challenged; independence should be respected

9. Legal Changes for Guardianship • One used to only need to be deemed “incompetent” in order to require a guardian • Now a person needs to be deemed incompetent and the in competency needs to pose as a risk to the person

10. Legal Changes for Guardianship (cont.) • Instead of assuming individual has no rights except those guaranteed by the court, the individual is assumed to have all of his/her rights, except those specifically restricted by the court

11. ARC’s Earlier Goals • Increasing budget to keep up with inflation • Rallying, seeking political support • Rallying began in 70’s for things like special education or community-based suppor

12. Rallies Now • More regionalized- people need to see their own law makers • Law makers listen to their constituents • Mobilize advocates around the state to effectively change state laws

13. What is the ARC doing for me? • Primary role: legislative advocacy • Lobby around issues such as: • How we talk about people with developmental disabilities • Education The ARC collaborates with other advocacy groups for most effective routes to progress

14. ARC as Service Provider • Over the years, some ARC chapters have began to provide services as well as advocate for people with developmental disabilities

15. Membership at ARC • Membership is struggling at ARC • Has over 7000 members • Once had over 100 chapters, now has 31 • Providing services helps generate some funding • Looking to reach out to younger families