(269) 342-9801

The Arc Community Advocates
The Arc Community Advocates
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    • Home
    • About Us
      • Mission & Values
      • Staff
      • Board Members
      • Become A Member
      • Cekola Memorial Fund
    • Events
      • Annual Meeting
      • Arctoberfest
      • Inclusion Conference
      • Journey of Hope
    • Our Services
      • Core Pillars of Service
      • Educational Advocacy
      • Family Advocacy
      • Systems Advocacy
    • Recent News
    • Donate Now
    • Now Hiring
    • Subscribe

(269) 342-9801


  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission & Values
    • Staff
    • Board Members
    • Become A Member
    • Cekola Memorial Fund
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Arctoberfest
    • Inclusion Conference
    • Journey of Hope
  • Our Services
    • Core Pillars of Service
    • Educational Advocacy
    • Family Advocacy
    • Systems Advocacy
  • Recent News
  • Donate Now
  • Now Hiring
  • Subscribe

Serving Southwest Michigan

The Arc Community Advocates provides advocacy, information, and support to individuals with disabilities and their families across Kalamazoo, Barry, Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.

Services and referral pathways vary by county, but wherever you live within our six-county service area, we encourage you to contact us. We can help determine the best next step.

Our Impact

Two girls with braided hair smiling outdoors, one with Down syndrome.

Educational Advocacy

  • Assist & Guide families through the Special Education Process/System.
  • Partner w/ school to meet child’s educational needs/accommodations through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), 504 Plan, or a Behavior Supports Plan.
  • Connect families to information & resources.
  • Click here for more information.

Adult Advocacy

  • Assist & Guide individuals navigate human services support programs.
  • Across the life-span, empower individuals with IDD to become self-advocates & live self-determined lives. 
  • Connect individuals to information & resources.
  • Click here for more information.

Systems Advocacy

  • Legislative advocacy to monitor, change, introduce policies, laws & funding.
  • Identify & target systemic issues that affect individuals with disabilities.
  • Direct representation of individuals to facilitate legislative & community change.
  • Click here for more information.

Alternatives to Guardianship

  • Power of Attorney & Durable Power of Attorney,  Supported Decision Making
  • Usage of Representative Payee,  Special Needs Trust,  Mi-ABLE account, Living Will
  • Education on types of guardianship: Temporary / Emergency / Estate / others

Community Education

  • Provide training & guidance to agencies & professionals on educational & adult advocacy.
  • Answer - “What does an advocate do?” 
  • “How does a family or agency partner with an advocate?”

At The Arc Community Advocates, we believe that:

Advocacy = social justice → engagement → information sharing → dialogue → collaboration → shared interest → improved communities

Copyright © 2018 The Arc Community Advocates - All Rights Reserved.


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