The United Arc
General Info
Narrative
The United Arc provides a flexible array of services for families that care for or include a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities .
- Funded through The Department of Developmental Disabilities with additional funding from Bete Foundation.
- Support Services Centers Provide an array of supports are available to families caring for a family member who meets eligibility criteria with the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
- Primary supports offered are service navigation, support in how to obtain services, information and referral, family trainings and support groups, community connections, social / recreational opportunities, educational and service advocacy.
- Families prioritized by DDS may also be able to access short-term financial assistance to pay for goods and services that benefit the individual with a disability.
- Additional supports include AWC/DESE and Intensive Flexible Family Support Services (IFFS).
The United Arc has two Family Centers. The Franklin County Family Support Center is located in Turners Falls, MA (serving families in central Franklin County) and the North Quabbin Family Support Center is located in Athol, MA (serving families in the North Quabbin area). The Family Centers offer the following services and supports:
*Information & Referral – Available to families and others in the community about disability-related supports and services. The United Arc also offers a monthly newsletter for families on agency events and disability topics.
*Service Navigation – Available to assist families to obtain the goods and services necessary to enhance or preserve family stability and well-being.
*Educational Consultation – Center staff can work with families to obtain optimal school programs in inclusive settings.
*Financial Assistance – Available to DDS prioritized individuals/families so purchase care, equipment or other resources needed to support a family member with a disability.
*Intensive Flexible Family Support – Available to DDS prioritized individuals/families who need
*Individualized Models of Support – Individualized home or community-based support services available through specific DDS contracts including family/participant directed services through DESE-DDS (for school age children) and Agency with Choice (for adults). Individualized support can also be provided for persons referred by DDS for Adult Companion or Individual Home Suport with a specified weekly number of hours of support.
*Food Pantry – Food assistance is available to families served by the Centers as well as others in the community who need support to stretch limited food budgets.
*Informational Workshops & Training – Workshops for families and interested others are offered on such topics as individual education plans, guardianship, estate planning, transition, personal futures planning, and more.
*Social Support & Therapeutic Groups – Weekly social groups are offered for teens/young adults. Periodic therapeutic groups are offered including music therapy and creative movement. Sibling Camps are offered during spring vacation for elementary age sibs. Annual dinners, picnics and holiday events are offered for the entire family. Other programs are offered based on family interest and available resources.
*Supported Parenting – The United Arc’s Positive Parenting Resource Center operates separately from the Family Support Centers although some families may access both services. Positive Parenting focuses on the support needs of families headed by one or more parents with intellectual or learning disabilities. Services are primarily funded by the Dept. of Children & Families and private grants. These services include Parenting Skills and Education Groups, Home Visiting & Individualized Skills Training, Mentoring Support through community volunteers, Transitional Living for families going through a reunification or stabilization process, Supervised Visitation for parents and children in out-of-home placement and focused support for Grandparents as Primary Caregivers.
Notes
Program services often occur during evenings and weekends.
Licensure
Client Information
Towns Served
Record last updated on 26/03/2024