The primary purpose is to provide ADVOCACY Specifically, The Arc of Oakland County: supports research focusing on prevention; develops better understanding of intellectual (i.e., mental retardation) and developmental disabilities by the general public; cooperates and enlists the support of public and private agencies; furthers the recruitment, education and training of personnel to work in the field; furthers the adoption and implementation of appropriate statutes and regulations; serves as a clearinghouse for gathering and disseminating information; fosters the development of quality programs; monitors programs and services; advises, assists, and guides persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to appropriate resolutions to their problems; cooperates and assists The Arc of the U.S. and The Arc Michigan in the promotion of common objectives; and, obtains the funds to accomplish these objectives.

Photo of Tom Kendziorski, Executive DirectorOur Staff

Thomas F. Kendziorski,
Executive Director and staff attorney

Serves as the Chief Executive Officer for The Arc of Oakland County and one of its primary advocates in the areas of special education law, estate plan counseling, governmental financial benefits (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, Adult Home Help Services, Family Support Subsidy, etc.). Tom is our primary fundraiser, running in marathons year after year.

Lynn M. Gideon

Office Manager and Comptroller. Serves as the Chief Financial Officer, office management, and has overall executive responsibility for the Self-Determination Initiative Fiscal Intermediary program under contract with the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center.

Allison M. Murowany

Public Relations and Awareness. Serves as the editor of The Arc’s newsletter, PROFILES, and coordinator of the Michigan Performing Arts Talent Show and the annual Dove Awards Dinner, and chairperson of the fundraising committee.

Cynthia A. Bliskey

Administrative and Member Services. Duties include coordination of The Arc’s large membership and annual renewal program, the Dignified Lifestyles (group home monitoring) program, and assists the office manager with other administrative and financial matters.

Kathleen E. Winkler, JD, LLM

Staff Advocate and attorney at law. A primary advocate in the areas of special education law, estate plan counseling, governmental financial benefits (e.g., SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, Adult Home Help Services, Family Support Subsidy, etc.). Specializes in living trusts and related estate planning.

Angela D. Larry

Fiscal Intermediary Coordinator. Receives timesheets and checks budget authorizations, ensures paychecks are accurate and current for all those participating in this program, and is the regular liaison with providers and consumers/families.

Tracy Gora

Administrative assistant primarily involved with the Fiscal Intermediary program database duties, record-keeping and quality control.

Kathleen J. Chutorash

Administrative assistant primarily involved with the Fiscal Intermediary program database duties, record-keeping and quality control.

Deana N. Moore

Administrative assistant primarily involved with the Fiscal Intermediary program database duties, record-keeping and quality control.

Bernadette (“Bernie”) Duhoski.

Bernie is a part-time staff member who serves as our Etheridge Plan monitor.  She makes home visits, attends Person-Centered Planning meetings for enrolled participants, and writes regular reports to parents and/or extended family members.

Awareness, Public Information and Education

We provide families with direct information about community resources as well as referrals to schools, physicians, dentists, attorneys, and others. Approximately 4,000 were served this past year. Printed information is available upon request. A sample mailing packet would include: our national, award-winning monthly newsletter, PROFILES, a brochure explaining the programs and services of The Arc of Oakland County, a membership application, plus other information relating to a specific request.  Also available at a nominal charge are two award-winning publications authored by the Executive Director of The Arc of Oakland County: Our Tax Guide, and Planning a More Secure Future.

With education and awareness comes understanding and acceptance. The Arc of Oakland County views increased public awareness as one of the major components to greater understanding and community acceptance of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To this end, The Arc of Oakland County staff provides members, families, professionals, organizations, and the community-at-large with direct and indirect information about intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Background of The Arc of Oakland County

We were incorporated in 1967 through the efforts of parents and families of persons who have mental retardation for the purpose of improving current services and to develop new programs by way of supportive and appropriate legislation. Through a combined effort with other advocacy groups, significant laws were passed at state and federal levels. These laws addressed the critical areas of education, housing, civil rights, the family support subsidy and more. While much has been accomplished, much more needs to be done. See our history page for a more detailed history of The Arc of Oakland.

Membership at the Present

At the end of 2006, membership in The Arc of Oakland County totaled 894 families with an ancillary mailing list participation of approximately 100.  We are the largest local chapter in the state of Michigan, and the tenth largest out of approximately 900 chapters nationwide! The Arc of Oakland County is directed by a fifteen member Board of Directors and its professional staff of seven: the Executive Director (and staff attorney), Coordinator for Community Information and Development, Office Manager and Comptroller, Advocacy Coordinator (and staff attorney), Shared Parenting and Etheridge Plan Advocate, Fiscal Intermediary Coordinator, and Administrative and Member Services.

Programs and services for members include:

  1. Availability of two staff attorneys.
  2. Expert, experienced professionals with knowledge on matters of;
    1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI),
    2. Social Security disability Insurance (SSDI),
    3. Special education law,
    4. Adult Home Help Services (a.k.a., “Chore Services”),
    5. Medicaid,
    6. Medicare,
    7. Special needs wills and trusts,
    8. Legal guardianship and possible alternatives (e.g., Power of Attorney),
    9. Oakland County Community Mental Health services,
    10. Person-Centered Planning
  3. Information and Referral on a variety of subjects
  4. Local (“PROFILES’), state (“Focus”), and national (“The Arc today”) newsletters about disability-related issues
  5. This informative website: www.thearcoakland.org
  6. Availability of staff by e-mail
  7. The Etheridge Plan, a life-long personal advocacy support program
  8. Shared Parenting, a respite program
  9. A weekly Weight Watchers group
  10. A weekly bowling league program
  11. The annual Michigan Performing Arts Talent Show (Next:  May 5, 2010)
  12. The annual DOVE Awards Dinner (Next:  April 16, 2010)
  13. Automatic membership in the state and national organizations
  14. The Dignified Lifestyles group home monitoring program
  15. Life and health insurance available through The Arc of the U.S.
  16. The Arc’s Credit Card Program – a national credit card with no annual fee, available through The Arc of the U.S.
  17. Publication of the award-winning “Annual Income Tax Guide” for families with a member who has special needs
  18. Publication of the award-winning “Planning A More Secure Future, 4th Edition” on special needs estate planning and guardianship
  19. Local, state and federal legislative advocacy
  20. Reduced cost at conferences, seminars and special training events
  21. Volunteer opportunities
  22. Memorial Donation program

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