The Arc North Florida, Inc. is a membership organization that provides advocacy and services for people with disabilities in Baker, Hamilton, Lafayette, Columbia and Suwannee Counties. It is a community based, private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) agency. The Arc serves adults with a variety of disabilities including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and autism. In addition, a number of our program participants also have visual, hearing, physical and emotional disabilities.
Founded in 1981 by concerned parents and friends as the Association for Retarded Citizens, Tri-County, Inc., then taking a step towards the future changed names to Comprehensive Community Services. 2011 another giant leap a change to The Arc North Florida, joining over 700 national chapters looking for identity with respect. The Arc currently provides services to approximately 60 people in a five county area. A volunteer Board of Directors, elected by the membership, governs the agency. The organization and our program participants have received numerous state awards, including the 1990 Association for Retarded Citizens Outstanding Local Chapter Award and the 2009 Skeet Norley Award given to the outstanding Florida consumer of the year.
The Arc North Florida plays an active role in meeting the needs of all people with developmental disabilities. Our mission focuses on helping to develop supports necessary for people to live independently and become a more integral part of the community. Our service locations include the Administrative Office, Program Office and Adult Day Training facility located in Live Oak, the Adult Day Training facilities in Macclenny and Jasper and the Residential facilities in Live Oak and Macclenny.
For more information about our programs, please contact Debbie Lee at 386-362-7143 Ex 3 or by email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for most services, individuals must have a developmental disability, desire services, and be approved by the AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES and the The Arc admissions committee. top^
ADVOCACY
Advocacy is provided to assist individuals in connecting with needed resources, applying for assistance/services, educating the community on disability issues, and assisting businesses and employers with ensuring they are accessible for potential customers or employees that have disAbilities.
top^
Â
ADULT DAY TRAINING
Adult day training services support individuals in daily routines of the community. These services emphasize training in the areas of self-help, adaptive and social skills, and are age and culturally appropriate.
top^
Â
ADULT DAY TRAINING OFF-SITE
Adult day training off-site services support individuals in training where a crew (lawn maintenance, janitorial) of people with disabilities are in the community in businesses or other community settings with complete supervision.
top^
RESIDENTIAL HABILITATION
Residential Habilitation services provide specific training activities that help the individual to acquire, maintain or improve daily living skills. The services focus on personal hygiene skills such as bathing and oral hygiene; homemaking skills such as food preparation, vacuuming and laundry; and on social and adaptive skills that enable the individual to reside in the community. Residential Habilitation services are provided in a group home setting. Two homes are located in Live Oak and one is located in Macclenny.
top^
RESPITE CARE
Respite Care services provide supportive care and supervision to an individual when the primary caregiver is unable to perform these duties due to a planned brief absence, an emergency absence or when the caregiver is available but unable to care for or supervise the individual for a brief period. Respite care can be provided in the individuals home or in one of The Arc's group homes.
top^
SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Supported Employment Services provide training and assistance in a variety of activities to support individuals in sustaining paid employment. The Supported Employment Coach assists with the acquisition, retention or improvement of skills related to accessing and maintaining such employment. Supported Employment is conducted in a variety of settings, particularly work sites in which people without disabilities are employed. Supported Employment includes the activities necessary to sustain paid work at or above minimum wage.
top^
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation services provide rides to and from home and community based services to enable an individual to receive the supports and services identified on the support plan when family or friends are unable to provide this support.
top^
SUPPORTED LIVING SERVICES
Supported Living Services provide training and assistance in a variety of activities to support individuals who live in their own homes or apartments. The Supported Living Coach provides the training to help the person develop the skills related to many of the activities of daily living such as personal hygiene and grooming, household chores, meal preparation, shopping, personal finances and the social and adaptive skills necessary to enable individuals to reside on their own.
top^
IN-HOME SUPPORT
In-Home Support services provide an individual in a supported living situation with 8 to 24 hour a day assistance. Support staff may live in the individual's home or apartment and share living expenses (rent, utilities, phone, etc.) with the individual. Support staff members provide companionship and personal care, and may assist with or perform activities of daily living and other duties necessary to maintain the individual in supported living. In-Home Support services are separate and not a replacement for the services performed by a supported living coach. Some individuals in supported living may need only the services of an In-Home Support staff, or only the services of a Supported Living Coach. Other individuals may need both services.
top^
Â
Â
PERSONAL CARE ASSISTANCE
Personal Care Assistance provides services to assist an individual with eating, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene and activities of daily living. The service also includes activities such as assistance with meal preparation, bed making and vacuuming when these activities are essential to the health and welfare of the individual and when no one else is available to perform them.
top^
