The Arc of Illinois

Information and Resources: The Arc provides a multitude of information, resources, and advocacy to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and those who support them through five main projects: Illinois Lifespan Project, Family Support Network, Ligas Family Advocate Program, Family Transition Project, and the Family to Family Health Information Center.

Trainings: The Arc provides education and training to self-advocates, family members, and professionals throughout the state via multiple events including: Annual Convention, Executive Leadership Conference, IDD/Mental Health conference, QIDP Conference, and Healthcare Conference among other training events and webinars. They offer continuing education credits to professionals and provide information on best practices to families and professionals.

Advocacy: The Arc of Illinois provides individual level advocacy throughout all of its program areas. In addition, we advocate to increase investment in community-based supports and transform the IDD service system by championing quality services, empowerment, and equality for all people with IDD, their families, and those who support them. Membership is surveyed annually to inform our public policy priorities which are developed by the Public Policy Committee and used to guide our legislative advocacy.

Other Programs: Through a grant from the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, the organization provides stipends for people with IDD and family members to participate in conferences and other educational opportunities that related to IDD through a Consumer Stipend Program. Through donations, the Assistive Technology Fund provides funding, or partial funding to purchase of assistive technology for individuals with IDD who have received an evaluation/assessment from a qualified provider but the purchase is not subsidized by Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance.Through donations, Operation Welcome Home provides resources and training for individuals who live in state operated developmental centers, and their families, and are exploring transitioning to community living.The BEST Project, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, is examining the effectiveness of embedding mental health case management services for adolescents with developmental disabilities and complex health needs into the case management services already provided by the Division of Specialized Care for Children.Funded by the American Association for People with Disabilities, RevUp provides support and education related to voter registration.