Did you know:
The Arc/Pikes Peak Region developed and sponsors a nationally recognized program to assist people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities through the judicial process? The Special Offenders Coalition educates judges, district attorneys, defense lawyers, policemen, dispatchers, and emergency response teams on effective ways of providing fair due process for people with developmental disabilities. The SOC works within the DD service delivery system to develop individual justice plans (IJP's) for people who have entered the judicial system and monitors probation compliance for special offenders.
Forty-five adults with profound disabilities receive guardianship services from The Arc/Pikes Peak Region at no cost to them? The demand for guardianship service is growing as the parents of our adult friends with disabilities are approaching end of life decisions. And one of their most difficult questions is: "Who will care for my child when I'm gone?"
In 2001, 138 school children, grades pre-school – 12, received advocacy assistance from The Arc/Pikes Peak Region in over 13 school districts in three counties? Parents, teachers, principles, and resource coordinators call upon The Arc advocacy staff to attend over 96 school staffing meetings each year, at no cost to the parents or the schools.
Adult advocacy services begin as soon as a student transitions from school and continue through to the end of a person's lifespan? Adults with developmentally disabilities are afforded advocacy services from The Arc/Pikes Peak Region at any time, just by asking. There is no charge for this service.
The Arc is the only agency in the DD service delivery system that does not receive government funding? This enables us to be the whistle blowers or, as some people say, the watchdogs on the system and the service providers. This broad view systems advocacy is a service we provide for every person with a developmental disability, whether they are receiving State funds or not. We are in the schools, in the marketplace, on the streets, and in the courts - advocating for fair treatment and inclusion in the community for all people with mental retardation and related disabilities.
