Advocacy
The Arc Shiawassee assists individuals with developmental disabilities and their families in receiving services in Shiawassee County
or helps with referral information about other available services.
RICC stands for Regional Interagency Coordinating Council and is a self advocate group that meets at The Arc Shiawassee.
Those involved in the group are self advocates, family members, and advocating agencies. This group works to improve quality of life
issues in Shiawassee County and to train self advocates on building leadership skills. Interested advocates contact The Arc at
(989) 723-7377. The SRICC is funded through the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council.
Disability Voice Town Hall Meeting
October 7, 2004 - What is Disability Voice? “Disability Voice” is a consolidated community-planning project made up of eleven state organizations that joined their efforts into a single project of obtaining input on disability issues. A number of local organizations were involved in the work group which initiated, planned, and effectively facilitated the Town Hall experience for citizens of Shiawassee County. The local partners included: The Arc Shiawassee, Shiawassee Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee, Capital Area Center for Independent Living, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Shiawassee Area Transportation Agency (SATA), Shiawassee County Community Mental Health Authority, Social Security, SVRC Services-SRP, Michigan Rehabilitation Council, Shiawassee Regional Educational School District, Developmental Disabilities Council, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, Memorial Healthcare, RESD Parent Advisory Council, Career Alliance-Customized Works!, Career Alliance.
The Shiawassee County Disability Voice Town Hall Meeting was held on October 7, 2004 at the Memorial Healthcare Center in Owosso. In cooperation with the state level Disability Voice group representatives and the Shiawassee County Partners this Public Forum was hosted. The agenda included a small group format where participants could chose from eight (8) discussion topics which lasted for 30 minutes. This afforded the opportunity for those in attendance to participate in three (3) different groups. At the end of the evening a Community Assessment Survey was distributed for completion. Approximately 100 individuals were in attendance and represented consumers, parents, service providers, and politicians.
This event was funded through: The Arc Shiawassee, Shiawassee Regional Interagency Coordinating Committee, Shiawassee County Community Mental Health Authority, SVRCC Services-SRP, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition-GREEN, Memorial Health Care, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, and Disability Voice Committee, Michigan Rehabilitation Council.
The purpose of this event was to offer the opportunity to the Shiawassee County community to express their experiences and opinions on the following topics which are designed as the major issues affecting the lives of people with disabilities – Transportation, Family Supports, Health Care, Housing, Community Supports, Education, Employment, and Recreation.
The DV Shiawassee County work group has reviewed the findings in an effort to utilize this community input to establish advocacy priorities and the needed action steps. The following four issues have been identified as critical for the Shiawassee County community: Health Care, Housing, Employment, and Transportation. The Shiawassee RICC is hosting a follow up meeting on April 21, 2005 to discuss the survey results. Click here if you would like to view a complete copy of the survey results.
The "Dignified Lifestyles" program is funded through the Michigan Department Community Health. This program
monitors the service individuals receive through the local community Mental Health. Volunteers monitor the
service of 11 individuals on a quarterly basis. The Arc Shiawassee is looking to expand volunteers in this program area.
If you have a loved one that receives community mental health services and would like a volunteer to monitor services being
received contact The Arc.
More Advocacy Programs to come...
Respite
The Arc Shiawassee offers out of home Respite care for loved ones who are living at home from age 12 through
adult who have developmental disabilities. This program is funded through the Shiawassee United Way and Alden Vada Dow Foundation and the W.K.Kellog fund administered by Shiawassee Community Foundation.
Respite care is currently held on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30pm - 5:00pm. Transportation may be available to
those in need. The fee is $15.00 per week for members and $20.00 per week for non-members.
Five weeks of great summer fun! Summer camp is offered 3 days per week starting July 8, 2008 - August 22, 2008, transportation through
SATA is provided. Summer activities include field trips to zoo's, local farms, museums, and classes at the Arts Council.
The Alden and Vada Dow Family Foundation, Shiawassee United Way are funders for this program.
Recreation
The Arc Shiawassee offers low cost activities such as dances, movies, and bingo. Some activities attended in
the community include theatre, museums, movies, roller skating, and fun parks. Everyone is welcome to attend. Occasionally
transportation is offered.
Open Recreation/Drop In Center is offered on Friday's for a small fee of $2.00. The drop in center is a social setting, that
allows individuals to socialize with friends, play games, watch TV, put puzzles together, play bingo, ect.
