At The Arc, the person we serve is always at the center of everything we do. But we recognize that for many people, their families and communities are important parts of their identities and play an integral role in shaping the services each person wants and needs. 

Fully supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities often means supporting their families, too. The Arc’s Community Supports program is part of our 2Gen approach where we partner with you to look at the important people and influences in your life and build services that support what is most important to you. 

The Arc employs a team of highly trained Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who work one-on-one with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Community Supports offers incredible flexibility with our DSPs providing anywhere from 5 to 80 hours per week of support around your schedule to meet your goals. You choose how much support you need and where it is provided such as in your own home or your family’s home. 

With this service, you can receive regular drop-in and scheduled support around your schedule. Community Supports often take place in your family’s home or out in the community where our DSPs empower the people they support to make their own choices about the life they want to live and help develop the skills and experiences they need to get there. 

There is no one way to provide Community Supports; it is a tailored experience for each person. It focuses on self-sufficiency and quality of life while supporting people to engage with and navigate their communities and responsibilities.

Community Supports often include skill building, learning how to budget, learning to navigate community transportation options, grocery shopping, and meal planning to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whatever your goal is for yourself—living independently or just having greater access to the community—our team supports you in fostering self-determination and self-advocacy skills so you can accomplish your goals at school, at home, and in your community. 

What is The Arc’s 2Gen approach? 

Our 2Gen approach includes both Children, Youth & Their Families services as well as Community Supports, acknowledging that the best support starts at home and includes the people who are most important to you. 

With this approach, we provide a foundation of support for your child and family that grows with them into adulthood, making for an easier transition to adult services. The network of resources and flexibility of services can stay with you throughout your life.