The Arc of Rowan
The Arc of Rowan, a Rowan County United Way Agency, has many programs and supports for people with developmental disabilities living in Rowan County.
The programs include seminars where subjects are presented upon request such as guardianship, IEP process, special need trusts, autism information, and self-advocacy.
Kids on The Block Puppet Program is a troupe of disabled and non-disabled puppets that provides life lessons about disabilities. Each puppet has a disability. Like people, the disabilities are not always quick to identify.
Others are van transportation for the summer program, field trips for the Brain Injury Support group, Special Olympics and the Commentary Education Class at RCCC.
Operation Santa brings the spirit of Christmas to individuals with developmental disabilities who may not have Christmas, including Rowan County residents who reside in institutional settings.
The Summer Day Program is for children ages 5 to 21 with developmental disabilities. Activities blend a combination of recreational and academic instruction to produce a fun time including swimming, field trips, self-help development, and daily living skill instruction centered on each child’s identified developmental needs.
The Arc of Rowan Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention Program is an opportunity to teach about the dangers of drinking while pregnant. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a 100-percent preventable cause of developmental disabilities.
One of the big parts of The Arc of Rowan is Advocacy. The Arc of Rowan advocates for resources in the community for people with developmental disabilities. The Arc focuses on the development of “gap services.” Services are needed when families find their needs do not match current services. Where people have a need, The Arc finds a resource or develops the needed program.
Funding from Rowan County United Way makes all of this possible.