MISSION & VALUES
MISSION
We exist as an advocacy organization to make it possible for each person with a developmental disability to participate fully in all aspects of community and to support the effort of each individual to determine their own future.
VALUES
As an affiliate member of The Arc, Community Advocates believes:
- Everyone is a valued, contributing member of their community.
- The Arc helps self-advocates and their families by creating opportunities, so that they can achieve their goals.
- The Arc fosters respect and protects the human rights of people with IDD and their families.
- For 70 years, The Arc has been a family-focused, grass roots organization.
- The Arc is the resource of first choice for people with IDD and their families regardless of the diagnosis and at all stages of life
Michigan Alliance for Families
The Arc Community Advocates and The Michigan Alliance for Families (MAF) have an
educational relationship that spans six counties. Families with a student with a intellectual
and/or developmental disability, who do not yet have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) or have not yet accessed Special Education Services are referred to MAF for parent mentoring and information on the Special Education process.
The six counties we serve under our MAF contract are Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Cass, Berrien, VanBuren and Barry. Michigan Alliance for Families is our state’s federally funded Parent Training and Information Center. They are a Michigan Department of Education IDEA Grant Funded Initiative.
For more information: