Systems Advocacy

Speakers Bureau

The Arc sponsors a Speaker's Bureau that promotes public awareness of The Arc services and activities together with an awareness of intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Financial Advocacy

Many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities qualify for disability benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicaid, Family Support Subsidy, Adult Home Help Services, and much more. The Arc staff can help answer questions that parents or guardians have about these and other entitlements. The award winning yearly Tax Guide for families and individuals concerned about tax deductions and credits related to the care and support of a child or an adult with a developmental disability is available for a nominal fee through The Arc of Oakland County offices. Read about "The Challenges of Hearings and Grievances" by our Director, Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq.

Legal Advocacy

Our legal staff assists member families with wills, trusts, estate planning, and probate matters. We offer member families legal representation at hearings for Medicaid, Oakland County Community Mental Health, and MORC. The Arc staff attorneys works cooperatively with Private Practice Attorneys on issues requiring legal intervention or assistance. See below for a list of Attorney's and Accountants who are knowledgeable about these issues.

Attorney List

This is not a recommendation list, but merely a list for the convenience of The Arc of Oakland County consumers and their families. Each professional listed has more than a passing knowledge of mental health law and the associated programs and services available to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The Attorney List

Education Advocacy

Our staff is knowledgeable and provides experienced assistance and support to parents or guardians in preparing and understanding the Individual Education Plan (IEP), based on the 2004 re-authorized federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (“I.D.E.I.A.”) and Michigan's Mandatory Special Education Act for children and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Read more about the I.D.E.A. Law.

Guardianship Guidance

Our staff offers helpful information and guidance to families considering guardianship or the alternatives (e.g., Power of Attorney) for someone with an intellectual or a developmental disability. Read an excerpt from our 50 page booklet on "Planning a More Secure Future" about Guardianship.

Residential Services

The Arc of Oakland County maintains a contractual agreement with The Arc Michigan (underwritten by the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority) for the Dignified Lifestyles/Community Connections Program which monitors 10 MORC group homes and one adult respite home. Ten volunteers have received training and visit one residential setting per month. During each visit, volunteers observe the following: true community participation, respect, choice-making, functional skills, learning, and real relationships. Information from 25 local chapters of The Arc is accumulated within a computer data base at The Arc Michigan and shared with various departments within the State, Oakland County and legislators.

Incorporating person-centered-planning and achieving real outcomes for individuals in mental health funded settings are driving the impending changes in the program. Building on the successes and strong points of the earlier versions, the new Dignified Lifestyles/Community Connections Program will:

put people first;
support the dreams and choices of individuals;
strive to raise the expectations that others (particularly the staff persons in the home environment) have of persons with disabilities; advocate for concrete changes in peoples' lives; and,
propagate the philosophy of inclusion and person-centered decision-making.

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