Statements

Mission

The Arc Williamson County empowers people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to actively participate in the community throughout their lifetime through advocacy, research, education and quality of life services.

Background

The Williamson County Council for Retarded Children, Inc. received its Tennessee State Charter of Incorporation on March 2, 1957. The non-profit organization had been initially organized on November 3, 1956 at a meeting sponsored by the Williamson County Jaycees. The purpose of the Council was to 'promote the education and welfare of all mentally retarded persons in Williamson County'. Beginning in the fiscal year 1995, The Arc of Williamson County began a cooperative relationship with The Arc of Davidson County in administering the state Family Support Program. In 1997, The Arc of Williamson County received a contract from the state to administer the Family Support Program directly. This has been renewed continuously since that time. In addition, in 1997, The Arc of Williamson County was awarded a contract from the state to provide Independent Support Coordination to individuals in the Medicaid Waiver Program. In July of 2000, Williamson County Partners in Education was formed, working as part of the Education Committee of The Arc of Williamson County. WC-PIE was a group of parents, educators, administrators, and community members who joined together in an effort to maximize the educational opportunities for all students in Williamson County. In July of 2001, The Arc Williamson County added the Student Advocacy Program, working on behalf of school age individuals eligible for special education services and their families in order to help them navigate the IEP process. On July 1, 2010, The Arc expanded its name to the disAbility Resource Center of Williamson County. However, after a national branding effort the name has been returned to The Arc Williamson County. We have maintained the original belief and commitment that was established in 1956 at that first organizational meeting.

Impact

The Arc's major accomplishments for the past year have been starting work with the Katie Beckett Waiver and the Tennessee Strong Families Program. We also began providing counseling services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. We continue to provide direct assistance to families through grants and subsidies, student advocacy, Family Support, and future planning. We hosted a workshop on the Federal and State -funded programs for people with disabilities. We also hosted an attorney and financial planner to help families navigate legal and estate planning for their loved one with a disability. The Arc strives to reach families to make sure they have the information they need about services and supports specific to the person they support.

Needs

The history of living with a disability in the United States has been discrimination, segregation, and exclusion from education, work, housing, and even from routine daily activities. Fortunately, today people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the same basic legal, civil, and human rights as other citizens. However, despite the tremendous advances, limitations of laws and regulations, poor enforcement of the laws, limited funding of programs, disregard for binding legal precedent, and societal prejudices keep many people with disabilities from being fully included in our society. There is still a lot of work to make proper community integration and recognition of civil rights a reality for ALL, including those with the most significant disabilities. People with disabilities are often excluded from society. They experience multiple risk factors for human and civil rights violations. The Arc Williamson County strives to provide advocacy services to people with disabilities and their families to help them navigate the programs, laws, and policies applicable to them to help them obtain services and secure rights guaranteed by law.

CEO Statement

The Arc Williamson County prides itself on its commitment to community and the involvement of individuals with all disabilities in community life. I love partnering with families to make sure that their person is supported in moving towards their fullest potential. The Arc's continued mission is to encourage and promote the inclusion in all areas of community life of individuals with disabilities. Thank you so much for considering donating to The Arc!

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Alliances & Advocacy
Secondary Category:	Human Services  - Developmentally Disabled Services/Centers
Tertiary Category:	Human Services  - Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations

Areas Served

TN - Williamson