About The Arc

> Jump to Program Information <

Become a Member!
Download the Membership Form in PDF format
(requires free Acrobat Reader)

The Arc of Whatcom County provides information and referrals, educational programs, and funding for people with developmental disabilities, their families, and the organizations that serve them.

Download the Arc of Whatcom County's 2005 Annual Report in PDF format
Download the Arc of Whatcom County's 2004 Annual Report in PDF format

The Arc of Whatcom County is dedicated to meeting the needs of children and adults with developmental disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome.

Because their children with developmental disabilities require lifelong care, families face a tremendous challenge. The Arc's commitment is to ensure that whether it is a voucher for an infant car seat, specialized child care, help with special education services in the schools, vocational assistance after high school, or support to senior families with guardianship and long-term care planning, etc.; families who come to The Arc find the assistance that will make a difference in their lives.

Founded in 1936 when all children with developmental disabilities were institutionalized, the updated mission of The Arc is to improve the quality of life, increase the independence, and assure the full inclusion in the community of any person with a developmental disability. Sixty-six years later, full community inclusion remains a significant issue. Our vision is to be an effective resource, a strong advocate, and a dedicated base of support for individual with developmental disabilities and their families.

In Whatcom County over 1,200 persons with developmental disabilities, their families and service providers look to The Arc as their life-line, connecting them with available resources in our community, bringing them the latest information on ways to effectively meet the needs of their family members. State funded services place many children and families on waiting lists for 1-5 years. As our families' needs continue to grow, State funded supports continue to shrink.

Each child with a developmental disability is unique, with diverse care issues. The challenge for our agency, with an annual budget of $125,000, is to design and implement individualized services for each exceptional child and their family. Please help us, help our families find their place in our community.

Program Information

Information / Referrals / Advocacy
The Arc of Whatcom County serves Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. The office is staffed Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Our goal is to act as a conduit, linking persons with developmental disabilities and their families with available resources in the community. Several hundred individuals and their familes, guardians, and caregivers are served annually.

Educational Programs / Workshops
The Arc of Whatcom County sponsors a variety of educational programs / workshops focusing on current issues that concern persons with developmental disabilities and their families. Topics include guardianships and special needs trusts, long-term planning for special needs families, functional ambulatory skills, special health care needs, special education services, individual education plans, transition from high school to work, residential issues and concerns, legislative advocacy, self-empowerment, self-advocate training, early learning issues for special needs families, etc.

Voucher Program
The Arc of Whatcom County provides vouchers to be utilized by individuals/families with developmental disabilities for the purchase of household items or clothing valued to $50. Written referrals are received in our office from case managers, residential support staff, guardians and other caregivers. When self-referrals are made, letters of support from case managers or another professional in the developmental disabilities field are required for eligibility.

Trained Parent Advocates
Families needing assistance with special education related services and other sources meet with a trained Parent Advocate to formulate strategy, write letters, conduct MDT meetings with School District personnel, etc. in an effort to obtain services tailored to the needs of their family member.

Grass Roots Housing Committee
Families needing assistance with housing and residential supports issues meet on a monthly basis through the Parent Coalition in The Arc offices. Families receive assistance with Section 8 Mainstream Housing Vouchers to help access affordable housing.

Medicaid Personal Care Parent Training
Six hours of continuing education are needed to fulfill parental obligations in receiving Medicaid Personal Care funding to care for their family member. Twice a year the Parent Coalition Program conducts trainings tailored to meet the needs of these families.

Legislative Advocacy
In an effort to ensure that the needs of persons with developmental disabilities are met with appropriate health and social services, families participate in grass roots advocacy by writing their legislators, participating in seminars and obtaining updated information by our e-mailing list during the legislative season.

> Return to top <

News Current Events About Us Donations Contact Us Home

The Arc of Whatcom County

Address: 2602 McLeod Rd., Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone: 360-715-0170

Toll-free: 1-866-284-8444

Fax: 360-715-8522

E-mail: admin@arcwhatcom.org