Program areas at The Arc Minnesota
Public policy and systems advocacy:3,522 people engaged in public policy with The Arc Minnesota in 2022. These individuals contributed 17,020 hours of volunteer service to advance public policy goals. The capitol connector e-newsletter informed 941 people about The ongoing public policy efforts of The Arc Minnesota. Policy issues include education, employment, health and human services, and housing. The Arc Minnesota has contracts with The Minnesota department of human services to provide housing access services, housing stabilization services, and transition services aimed at helping people with disabilities and those experiencing housing instability access affordable, accessible, inclusive housing of each person's choice in their communities. Housing team memers also connect people with other resources, services, and supports that will help lead to stable and sustainable housing long-term. In 2022, The housing team helped 425 people move into and/or sustain homes of their own and fielded 2,480 unique calls about housing services.
Planning services:in 2022, The Arc Minnesota transitioned away from billable planning services available only for people who could privately pay for The service, or who access waiver services to a free, equitable individualized coaching program. This new service has The same goal of helping individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families plan for their futures. This includes a comprehensive assessment of their current reality, their personal and family goals, and guide The framework for building a high quality of life. Not only do they determine a future plan, but The Arc staff lead them in developing The important actions needed to achieve The goals for their family member, and identify who will support their loved one now and in The future.
Individual advocacy and support:the Arc staff provided free, individualized assistance to 1,186 people across The state, either through phone consultation, email support or intensive one-to-one in person support. 45,741 people accessed our self-guided, online advocacy tools and resources.
Public awareness, membership and volunteer engagement. Public awareness outreach about intellectual and developmental disabilities include website (95,766 page visitors), The Arc facebook page (7,273 followers), Arc's value village facebook page (14,583 followers), twitter (1,555 followers), linkedin (992 followers), e-newsletter (7,423 subscribers). In addition, messages about The Arc are included in all Arc's value thrift store and donation center communications, reaching 700,000+ shoppers, donors, and volunteers. Volunteering is another way individuals connect with The Arc. Volunteers provided 27,190 hours in support of The Arc Minnesota's programs and services, and 30,660 hours in The operations of The Arc's value village thrift stores.