Return to Current Blogs

The Arc Network
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Arc Network –
Statewide Advocate Network Launched with FSSA Support

Connecting families and self-advocates has long been part of The Arc of Indiana’s 50 year history of advocating, educating and communicating. Now, with the support of the Family and Social Services Administration, we are launching The Arc Network as a resource to communities throughout the state.

The Arc is in the process of hiring ten new family advocates and ten self advocates to work as a team in each of the Bureau of Developmental Disability Service regions. This group will work under the direction of The Arc's Nanette Whightsel, Director of Family Education and Community Resources; and Betty Williams, Coordinator of Consumer Education and Training, to provide outreach, education and involvement of families and self-advocates at every level of our system.

This will include, but will not be limited to outreach to young people leaving school, people on the waiting list, and aging parents in need of support.

We are actively working with INSOURCE, IPMG and ASK to coordinate with and strengthen existing networks. There is much to do, and by collaborating we will achieve even greater results.