“We think about things from the family perspective”, said Director of Development Kim Jeremiah as she and Board Member Joyce Hann spent the day with me sharing and showing how The Arc of Richmond’s services that are offered across the lifespan help create “A Life Like Yours” for citizens with developmental disabilities in the Greater Richmond area-which includes Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond City, and eight other surrounding counties and localities. In 1954, The Arc of Richmond was created by a small group of dedicated families. Today, the local chapter serves over 1300 individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, and employs over 200 Richmonders with developmental disabilities. Through recent expansion efforts, The Arc of Richmond has grown to serve 40% more people in the past five years.

When I first arrived, Kim and Joyce shared a slideshow that was written from the family perspective and that is regularly presented by the chapter’s “Speaker’s Bureau”. This group of 10 family members share with the greater community how they themselves have been positively impacted by The Arc of Richmond, encouraging others to support the mission and vision of “A Life Like Yours” through donations, advocacy efforts, and business partnerships. The presentation was framed around many of the questions a family member may have when he or she has a family member with a developmental disability such as… “How will I be able to work? When will I get a break? Will my child be happy as an adult? Will he or she have the opportunity to earn a paycheck? Where will he or she live when I grow older?”

While The Arc of Richmond’s presentation described the many ways this chapter is working towards “A Life Like Yours” through its programs, speakers also are sure to communicate “the bigger picture” issues for Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families- describing the struggle many families are facing in obtaining services due the waiting lists for the Medicaid MR Waiver. The bigger picture messages can also be positive, pointing out the cost savings when we invest in “A Life Like Yours” in the community. For example, the disability subsidies for SSI/SSDI saved in 1 year were $7,236 per employee and the wages earned in a 45-year work life equal 1.5 million per caregiver.

“Families know that they have access to a lifetime partnership with The Arc”, Kim pointed out as she described the array of services offered by this local chapter that assist individuals from birth through retirement. When a parent learns that their newborn child has a developmental disability, navigating the system to access the supports he or she needs can sometimes be an overwhelming task. The Infant and Child Development Services (ICDS) program is staffed by pediatric occupational therapist, physical therapists, speech and language pathologists, early childhood special educators, and social workers to provide support. These services help to empower parents of infants with developmental disabilities through education, support, therapy, and experience.

As infants grow older and become school-age, the needs of parents somewhat change. The Arc of Richmond works hard to keep a continuum of support through this period by providing respite, after-school care, and summer programs. I had the opportunity to visit Camp Baker, which offers respite and therapeutic recreation, with Kim and Joyce at the best time of the day…lunch! A summer camp that was started in the 1950’s, Camp Baker provides individuals with developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience recreational activities such as horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, hiking, cooking out, challenger sports, recreation, and dances through eight, 1-week overnight sessions and weekend respite programs. 94% of parents report reduced stress as a result of Summer Camp Services. Camp Baker also provides an Emergency Respite program though the camp for up to 14 days for individuals with developmental disabilities-many of whom are at risk of institutionalization, victimization, or homelessness.

Kim and Joyce also took me on a tour of their day support, production, and off-site programs for employment and recreation. We first visited the Day Support program, whose “home base” is at The Arc offices-which was rather quiet because most of these folks were out in the community. Participants have the opportunity to go experience the community through recreational and volunteer activities including going to the hairdresser, assisting with recycling, and throwing great parties. One of their volunteer programs has the highest number of hours contributed to a local non-profit in the entire Richmond area! We also visited the production facility on-site, where employees were hard at work on various contracts.

Last but certainly not least-we headed over to Bellwood Military Base to meet up with off-site contract manager Mike Buzzard and Board Member Pat Robson for a tour of the employment sites on-base. Here, through NISH Contract, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are able to earn a living wage, health insurance, and other benefits through contract employment with the government. Employment opportunities on base range from recycling, landscaping, and janitorial work.

The Arc of Richmond is now gearing up for its upcoming annual fundraiser, “A Round of Good”, Golf Tournament September 24, 2007. Sponsored by Wyeth and held at the Richmond Country Club directly supports Infant and Child Development Services, supporting the 2-3% of children under five who need early intervention. In addition to this effort, The Arc of Richmond also throws a great wine tasting dinner and silent auction each year. 24 wineries come from all over to help further the cause of “A Life Like Yours” and all contributions go toward The Arc of Richmond’s ladybug fund.

Many thanks to the Board Members and staff at The Arc of Richmond for the time you generously gave for this visit. As I prepare for the move to The Arc’s state office in Richmond, I feel fortunate to know that I will have such wonderful neighbors who are so deeply committed to the mission and vision of “A Life Like Yours”!