The Arc - King County

Supported living: a contracted program funded by The state of Washington that provides residential support and advocacy for adults who have an intellectual or developmental disability and are living in The community. Serving around 50 individuals, direct support professionals help participants meet their healthcare needs, assist with daily tasks like grocery shipping and cleaning and ensure that individuals are able to participate in The recreational, religious and social events of their choosing. At its foundation, The supported living program seeks to ensure that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in King County have access to community inclusion.

Representative payee: responsible for assisting individuals with disabilities who receive public benefits to stabilize or improve their economic status, asset with money management skills, and reduce their vulnerability to financial exploration. Service delivery emphasizes personal independence and choice while ensuring The needs for individual's food, shelter and clothing are met within federal guidelines and budgetary constraints. In alignment with The Arc's mission of inclusion and self-advocacy, participant services include: creating a monthly budget developing a financial plan for bill payment, linking The person with available education opportunities, employment, and other resources to help them achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

Outreach/advocacy: includes community outreach, educational and systems advocacy efforts. I&r is a phone, email or in-person service initiated when people contract us and may also occur during community events. We provide specialized assistance to spanish-speaking and african american families and have a language line. For caregivers seeking socioemotional support, we offer parent-to-parent, a 1:1 peer support program that also includes workshops and mentorship. We provide specialized support to senior families, housing stability and homelessness prevention, and iep parent partnership. Systems advocacy efforts include legislative and leadership training led by people with disabilities; our King County parent and family coalition; and inclusion academy.