Arc Northland

Making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

Through Advocacy, Education and Support Services, Arc Northland promotes and protects the human rights of people with disabilities and their families, while actively supporting full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetime.  
Since 1951, Arc Northland has been helping people with disabilities and their families to overcome challenges and enjoy inclusion and participation in our community.

 Arc Northland Core Services: Advocacy - Education - Support Services - Information and Referral 

Arc Northland Programs

Adult, Children and Family Services (ACF):

• Provides support and advocacy services for individuals with disabilities of all ages, families and other supporters. 
• Advocacy, Education, Support; At Arc Northland advocacy and education takes many forms, whether it involves working with people individually to teach self-advocacy skills, advocating on behalf of or with someone, within a group setting, through 1:1 peer support or working together to advocate for change within our community. The ACF Program focuses on individual needs, self-determination, and personal choice.
• Self-advocacy groups support adults with disabilities with acquiring skills and knowledge necessary to live as independently as possible; to advocate (speak up) for themselves, get connected and be included in the community. 
• People First Group:  A monthly self-advocacy training group for men and women with disabilities. Meetings focus on discussion around various topics that will help participants be successful in their everyday lives. A variety of guest speakers share insights that help encourage and remind members that they are a vital part of the community and their concerns and well-being matter greatly. With the support of Arc Northland staff, the People First Group provides leadership opportunities because group members set the agenda, run the meetings, plan and carry out activities and determine the areas of focus.   
• Children and Family Services: This program offers staff support over the phone or in person. Support may be given regarding parenting strategies, problem-solving techniques, connections for other services, etc.  In addition, staff advocates will attend Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings in the schools or meet with the family and their county case managers.   Workshops are also offered on a variety of subjects and are designed to increase a family’s ability to advocate for their own needs.  
• Education ~ Trainings
  • Healthy Sexuality and Relationships
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 
  • Guardianship and Supported Decision Making  
  • Disability Overview

Housing Support Services

• The Housing Services program assists people with disabilities who are receiving Medical Assistance or are on a disability services Waiver, with moving from settings such as nursing homes, group homes or assisted living to less restrictive settings such as their own home or apartment.  Assistance is available to find a new safe and affordable living situation, purchase furniture and household supplies, cover moving expenses and pay for deposits.

PCA Choice 

•  Personal Care Assistant (PCA) services help people with disabilities of all ages to live independently in the community or in their family home by providing assistance with tasks such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, participating in community activities, redirection and intervention to enable healthy behaviors.  PCA Choice empowers an individual to recruit, hire, train and manage their own personal care assistants.  Arc Northland supports the service delivery by taking care of the onboarding and payroll for PCA’s, which lessens the burden of responsibility for the service recipient.

Arrowhead Regional Quality Council 

Through a grant from the Department of Human Services, we will be entering the next phase of working on and supporting person-centered principles and practices ensuring the quality of life for people receiving disability services through the state or county. The Council consists of self-advocates and disability service providers collaborating to improve the quality of services and supports in our region.  Our efforts also include working with counties and service providers to orchestrate positive change at a local level.

Visit the Arc Northland's website at www.arcnorthland.org; Like us on Facebook.