advocating for people with developmental disabilities and their families since 1956

STRATEGIC PLAN

2005 - 2009

People with disabilities, parents, family members, volunteers and other community members are the driving force of The Arc. The Mission and Core Values of The Arc guide our actions and decisions.

People First
Community Participation
Democracy
Visionary Leadership
Diversity Integrity and Excellence

One of The Arc’s greatest beliefs is in the importance of personal responsibility and individual development.  We have long championed the importance of self sufficiency and independence for people with developmental disabilities to the greatest extent possible.  Today we not only must talk about self-advocacy and self-determination; but also entrepreneurship, new models of natural and paid supports and equity among individuals and families needing support.  This strategic plan is an important next step in carrying out that belief and implementing these visions for the future.
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The Arc of Indiana Strategic Plan
Vision 1: The Arc of Indiana ensures all individuals and families receive necessary services and supports in a timely fashion.

Themes:

The waiting list is eliminated.

Individuals with disabilities and their families immediately receive information and support.

Personalized plans and informed choices are the basis of all services and supports.

Strategies:

                    1A. Establish and maintain a Waiting List Committee of The Arc for Vision 1. (Yr 1)

1B. Define reasonable process for allocating new resources and reallocation of existing funds.(Yr1)

                    1C. Identify a Waiting List contact in all 92 Indiana counties. (Yr 1)

1D. Initiate relationships with FSSA/DOE and other state agencies which could include setting up
discussion groups(s), and (re)train state officials on impact of waiting list. (Yr 1)

1E. In cooperation with the State provide information and referral to The Arc to individuals who are on the waiting list and to their family members.( Yr 1)

1F. Generate appropriations for the elimination of the waiting list, through the state legislature.(Yr 2)

1G. In cooperation with all stakeholders, initiate studies to gather and analyze data to improve
community day services and employment, family support, crisis intervention, and school age
outreach, collecting information as to who is on/not on the list, ages, services needed,
length of wait, etc. (Yr 2)

                    1H.Implement training programs for families, self-advocates, and case managers on responsible,
                    cost effective strategies and incentives, use of natural supports, personalized/person centered
                    planning and access to educational supports. (Yr 2)

1I. Establish and maintain Family Outreach activities/programs (with such initiatives as (a) working with the Family Support Council to pilot innovations/demonstrations of family outreach, (b) partnering with other groups (IN Source, IPIN, Self-Advocates of Indiana), (c) communicating impact on work force development and economic development, and (d) communicating among the chapters of The Arc). (Yr 3)

The Arc of Indiana Strategic Plan
Vision 2: The Arc of Indiana leads in maximizing individual potential of people with disabilities.

Themes:

The public recognizes the inherent values, abilities and accomplishments of people with disabilities.

Quality of life is promoted by enhanced individual initiative, personal choice, and self-directed supports.

Resources are available for a comprehensive community of professionals - teachers, direct care staff and caseworkers, health care professionals, finance and legal profession and others – to support individuals with disabilities and their families.

Strategies:

                    2A. Establish and maintain committee(s) of The Arc for Vision 2. (Yr 1)

2B. Influence society’s attitudes through public education - developing, increasing and promoting
positive media stories about the lives and successes of people with disabilities by utilizing a wide
variety of media sources (print, electronic, web). (Yr 1)

2C. Implement awareness campaigns so the public-at-large will know about The Arc of Indiana
Trust and the services they provide. (Yr 1)

                    2D. In collaboration with others, identify standards of excellence in service delivery to empower
                    people & families to have control over their lives and resources as they make quality choices among
                    inclusive community options. (Yr 2)

2E. Provide information to professionals about available resources regarding positive behavior skills |
and other skills necessary to help people function as independently as possible. (Yr 2)

2F. Share information and offer training, including best practices, regarding quality of life issues,
guardianship, prevention and family support. (Yr 3)

2G. Initiate a campaign to establish relationships with hospitals and the medical community throughout Indiana to meet the challenges of children born with special needs and their families. (Yr 3)

The Arc of Indiana Strategic Plan
Vision 3: The Arc of Indiana leads in influencing public policy and public awareness to promote and protect the rights of people with disabilities

Themes:

Public policy promotes opportunities to learn, live, work and play in inclusive communities.

Public awareness is increased in every county.

Every individual with a disability has an advocate, guardian or personal support network.

Strategies:

                    3A. Establish and maintain committee(s) of The Arc for Vision 3. (Yr 1)

3B. Provide leadership to effectively influence public policy, selecting priority issues each year to advocate at the legislature and with state agencies. (Yr 1)

3C. Support and strengthen the leadership and empowerment of self-advocates.

3D. Implement training activities, including the Annual Convention, with emphasis on such topics as public policy, public awareness, promotion and protection of the rights of people with disabilities, inclusive communities, prevention, self-advocacy and self-determination, guardianship and personal support networks. (Yr 1)

                    3E. Educate Partners and Stakeholders (such as legislators/General Assembly, parents, individuals
                    with disabilities, medical community, emergency personnel, schools, general public, criminal justice
                    system, volunteer advocates, guardians) on public policy matters and influencing public policy and the
                    rights of people with disabilities. (Yr 1)

                    3F. Create ongoing major media contacts to convey various disability related issues. (Yr 1)

3G. Develop a "visibility plan", collaborating with local chapters and The Arc of the US as a combined force, to forge a unified and innovative public presence throughout Indiana. (Yr 2)

3H. Initiate information, referral & assistance networks, with public awareness of The Arc in
every county. (Yr 2)

                    3I. Create & maintain a network (with database) of key people for specific tasks related to public policy
                    and  awareness. (Yr 2)

                    3J. Train specialists in targeted areas (e.g. advocates, criminal justice system, stage-of-life planning,
                    education) and use a network of trainers to further outreach. (Yr 3)

The Arc of Indiana Strategic Plan
Vision 4: The Arc of Indiana facilitates membership growth and diversity.

Themes:

Membership is increased statewide.

Local chapters receive support.

Partnerships with other organizations support the mission of The Arc.

Strategies:

                    4A. Establish and maintain a committee of The Arc for Vision 4. (Yr 1)

                           4B. Employ a staff member exclusively for chapter support/development/growth. (Yr 1)

4C. Coordinate and conduct membership drives every March, in celebration of March Disabilities
Awareness Month. The Arc’s activities could include such efforts as creating posters, news releases
and materials for local chapters; support local chapters in creating their own campaigns; target specific
audiences such as parents of young children; and, work with organizations such as First Steps, Head Start,
Local Schools and special education departments. (Yr 1)

4D. Create news releases and materials for important state and local celebrated events. (Yr 1)

                           4E. Implement a start-up program for new chapters and associated organizations. (Yr 1)

                    4F. Create a statewide membership database (intranet/password protected). (Yr 2)

4G. Create partnerships with faith based organizations to promote awareness of unserved
populations. (Yr 2)

                    4H. Partner and collaborate with other disability organizations. (Yr 3)

4I. Create relationships and partnerships with local and state educational professionals (teachers,
special education departments, etc.) (Yr 3)

The Arc of Indiana Strategic Plan
Vision 5:  The Arc of Indiana diversifies and strengthens its funding strategies to ensure resources to accomplish its mission.

Themes:

An endowment is established and grown.

Efficiencies are developed to make the best use of available funding and resources

Successful collaborative development and private sector involvement results in financial stability and a strong infrastructure.

Strategies:

                           5A Establish and maintain a committee of The Arc for Vision 5. (Yr 1)

5B. Develop an Endowment Plan with a Board adopted goal, coordinating with existing
development efforts. With the utilization of financial expertise, this plan should increase
the financial stability of The Arc, reduce Affiliation Fees, and strengthen the management and
operational infrastructure of The Arc. (Yr 1)

                    5C. Use The Arc Vision Statement and Strategic Plan to guide long term planning to allocate resources and 
                    budgets of The Arc. (Yr 1)   

                           5D. Develop increased corporate support, in a collaborative way, with local chapters. (Yr 2)