The Arc of Oakland County, Inc. Historical Perspective and Future
By Thomas F. Kendziorski, Esq. Executive Director
Revision Date March 31, 2010

I. Historical Perspective and Purpose of Organization

The Arc of Oakland County, Inc. (“The Arc”) is a parent’s group and is a non-profit membership organization working directly with persons having all levels of intellectual (mental retardation) and other related developmental disabilities, and their families. The purpose of The Arc is to provide direct and expert advocacy toward securing the proper services, programs and entitlements for the family member who has special needs. Specifically, assistance is available in the areas of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, special education law advocacy, estate plan counseling, guardianship, community residential options, the monitoring of group homes, respite care, recreational opportunities, as well as information and referral.

The Arc is governed by a fifteen-member volunteer Board of Directors. The chief professional officer of The Arc is Thomas F. Kendziorski, Executive Director, Attorney at Law. Mr. Kendziorski (B.A., Michigan State University; J.D., Cooley Law School) who supervises a compensated staff of eleven, 150 volunteers, and a core agency budget of approximately $800,000. The Arc of Oakland County is the largest local chapter in Michigan with 914 members, and is affiliated with both The Arc Michigan and The Arc of the United States.

The history of The Arc formally began in 1967 when a group of separate parent support groups in Oakland County decided to unite and gain strength from numbers. The Arc has flourished over the years within the realm of systems advocacy, that is, offering a “business-like approach” in the direct service of helping individuals and families obtain legal rights, benefits and entitlements. This organization and its members spearheaded the local grass-roots campaign in the late 1960′s and early 1970′s for passage of mandatory special education legislation. The Arc has also been on the “front lines” over the last generation advocating for the closure of all public institutions for persons with developmental disabilities, and the creation in the community of all the necessary residential and mental health support services.

The Arc has also pushed for: reform in SSI and SSDI eligibility standards as many people with disabilities were threatened with benefit cut-offs in the early 1980′s; implementation of the “Family Support Subsidy Act;” Medicaid reform, which led to a “Community Supported Living Arrangements” (“CSLA”) pilot project in Oakland County and Michigan; “Inclusive Education” as an option for all students with special needs; and supported employment instead of segregated vocational programs. Finally, The Arc of Oakland County has served as the “incubator” for many new ideas and now essential independent programs in the area such as: the vocational organization “New Horizons, Inc.,” the fine arts program known as, “F.A.R., Conservatory Inc.,” the Oakland County office for the “Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service,” the Lahser Respite Home for children, and even the “Oakland County Special Olympics.” The Arc conceived, developed its highly acclaimed comprehensive, lifetime advocacy service called the “Etheridge Plan,” and an outstanding respite program known as “Shared Parenting.”

The overall philosophy of The Arc is person-centered and family-centered in approach to all programs and services. The least restrictive environment and dictates of the concept of normalization are key to everything The Arc stands for and accomplishes. The professionalism of the employed staff at The Arc reflects these ideals, along with significant personal experience working through the problems inherent within the programmatic aspects of such beliefs.

The backgrounds of persons typically served by The Arc: 63% Caucasian; 22% African-American; 13% Arab-Chaldean; 2% Asian-American; and 1% Hispanic. Oakland County on the whole has approximately: 88% Caucasian; 7.2% African-American; 1.5% Arab-Chaldean; 1.8% Hispanic; and 1.5% “other,” out of a total population of 1.2 million (2000 census data). As these figures clearly demonstrate, The Arc serves a wide and diverse group of persons, and all consumers have a developmental disability.

The Arc of Oakland County boasts a number of significant “highlights” over the last decade or so of its organizational lifetime

  • The latest strategic plan was accomplished in January of 2009.
  • In order to better serve its physically-impaired consumers, The Arc of Oakland County moved during August 1993 from Birmingham into larger, barrier-free offices in Troy.
  • The Arc of Oakland County made a successful transition of the innovative Shared Parenting program from primarily Skillman Foundation funding to Oakland County Community Mental Health (also United Way’s of Oakland & Community Services). This saved a much needed service that is contracted to serve 30 participant families under the auspices of the Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, Inc. “MORC”).
  • The Arc of Oakland County authors annually a tax guide (now FREE and located for download elsewhere on this website) for persons who support children and /or adults experiencing an intellectual impairment and/or other related developmental disability.  Also, staff prepared and re-wrote the 1995 revision of a guardianship and estate planning booklet, which took both state and national “Communicators Award” honors in 1995. The tax guide won The Arc Michigan’s “Communicators Award” in 1996.
  • Awarded a small grant in 1994 from the Oakland County CMH for “Para-Legal” services to assist families achieve more “Adult Home Help Services” benefits through the Family Independence Agency.
  • The mission and purposes of The Arc of Oakland County were reviewed during early 1993; at the same time, a professional revision of the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation was completed by independent legal counsel. Board sub-committee work and staff time went into the effort; approved by The Arc Michigan; then voted on by the membership in attendance at the June 1993 Annual Meeting of The Arc of Oakland.
  • About every five years, The United Way for Southeastern Michigan conducts an “Assist Visit” that explores in detail every facet of The Arc to determine that it is keeping to its mission statement, and is fiscally sound. The Arc of Oakland County last passed this “test” with flying colors during 2004.
  • Since the summer of 2001, The Arc of Oakland County has served as Fiscal Intermediary for individuals/family within the Self-Determination Initiative and Community Supports Program for the Macomb Oakland Regional Center (MORC) and the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA). With the beginning of 2010, The Arc serves about 1053 consumers. As Fiscal Intermediary, The Arc is directed by the individual and their circle of support to act on behalf of that individual, rather than being directed by the needs of the service agency; acts as a business agent; helps reduce administrative costs and burdens; helps assure compliance with tax and labor laws; and, maintains accountability over use of funds. The Arc of Oakland County also assists in the writing of checks and, paying household bills, if necessary. Monthly reports are also generated to each individual and their supports coordinator for their review.

II. Current Activities

The Arc of Oakland County works very hard at community relations, or “marketing,” if you will. Our credibility within the mental health services field is beyond reproach by public and non-profit providers alike. This has come after demonstrating for many years of The Arc’s expert, reasoned and professional approach to its advocacy.

The Arc does its outreach through a variety of sources. The following methods have proven quite successful:

  1. Newsletter, PROFILES, with a circulation of 1200 copies of each issue (6 per year);
  2. Flyers delivered to special education programs across the county, for distribution to students and families;
  3. Speeches to parent groups throughout the year;
  4. FACEBOOK and an e-mail listserv;
  5. Distribution of agency brochures identifying services;
  6. Specialized mailings to members on time-sensitive topics;
  7. Press releases;
  8. Participation on the Oakland County Regional Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (“RICC”);
  9. Participation on the Oakland Schools’ “Project Reach” that is to identify “at-risk” children and assist their families in acquiring necessary programs/services;
  10. Networking with other agencies in the mental health field;
  11. Sponsoring the annual [celebrating 40 years in 2010] Dove Awards Dinner that recognizes persons in the community who perform outstanding work on behalf of people with disabilities; and,
  12. An outstanding internet website and now FACEBOOK that provides information on The Arc and other topics.

Our current grant and recreational programs include:

  1. The annual Michigan Performing Arts Talent Show [celebrating 37 years in 2010];
  2. A weekly Bowling League in Waterford; and
  3. A weekly Weight Watcher’s program located in Troy at the Big Beaver United Methodist Church.

III.  Community Needs and Trends

The Arc of Oakland conducts a year-long biennial “membership satisfaction survey” to better determine the needs of its members and the community at-large.  The initial survey was completed during August 1996 with results printed in our October 1996 newsletter, PROFILES.  We completed a fourth such survey in October of 2008.  The Board of Directors and staff use the findings to help determine agency policy and issue positions. Also, we implement separate survey instruments for our Shared Parenting respite program (annual) and our recreation programs.  Consumers and their families also pass on many written or oral comments and thank you notes (and on rare occasions, even criticisms) for the work we do on their behalf.

External factors constantly create changes in the mental health delivery system, welfare benefits, the SSI and/or Social Security disability programs, special education law, and Probate and guardianship rules.  The Arc of Oakland County must remain vigilant and at the forefront of this knowledge requirement.

Over the past nine years, the “amount” of advocacy requests has increased significantly.  The membership also increased during this period by nearly 5% – a clear indicator that the services are valued.  The “quality” of services has also improved due in large part to maintaining a superb agency support staff that possesses a wealth of academic knowledge and practical experience, which grows each year by assisting families with unique advocacy concerns. Further, attendance by staff at formal seminars/meetings improves this collective knowledge base.  Our “outreach” is also increased by conducting parent and professional community in-service training sessions about The Arc services, or on specific technical topic areas.

The “Full Management” of mental health services in Oakland County has been completed for several years and the county now controls all of what the state had been directly operating directly for years.  The Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority Board is no longer under the direct oversight of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.  Also, the emergence of “long-term managed care” for persons with developmental disabilities has also seriously affected services as limitations and caps have become the standard in public mental health services.

There will always be a need to monitor the changes and the quality of the public and private service delivery system.  The re-authorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (“I.D.E.A. 2004″) presented several new legal and advocacy challenges for parents and advocates alike.

The on-going evolution and refinement of the Americans with Disabilities Act will present additional intakes and unique requests for individual advocacy along with information and referral to the private sector attorney.  We expect that the trend for information and advocacy help will continue to increase as the ADA becomes more understood by persons with disabilities and their families, and the courts decide additional cases.

Finally, the troublesome need for affordable housing and transportation for persons with intellectual impairment and other related developmental disabilities in Oakland County remain at the forefront of our legislative advocacy agenda.  The institutions are long gone (the last, Mt. Pleasant Center closed in September 2009!).  The special education mandate keeps “graduating” young adults at age 26, and a mental health system now must find ways to vocationally train and employ those graduates, and identify options for residential care.  These three issues by themselves loom large for the membership of The Arc, and present the next set of challenges to overcome.

Listing of Programs & Services

Systems Advocacy – (Tom and Katie – primary; with other staff participation) – direct and expert, one-to-one counseling and legal assistance in the areas of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, special education law, special needs estate planning, guardianship, residential options planning, available public mental health programs and services (respite, vocational program, residential), recreational opportunities, and Information & Referral.

Staff Committee Assignments in the Community
Oakland County Regional Interagency Coordinating Council (RICC)-Allison
MORC, Inc. Informed Consent Committee (guardianship)-Allison
MORC, Inc. Behavioral Supports Committee-Allison
The MI Conference of Executives of The Arc-Tom
The United Way Executives Association-Tom
Oakland CMHA’s Citizens Advisory Committee-Allison

Oakland CMHA’s Self-Determination Committee-Lynn

Oakland County’s MORC Provider’s Committee-Lynn

Staff Committee Assignments within The Arc of Oakland County
Tom, Board of Directors; Etheridge Plan; Strategic Planning; Budget & Finance; Nominations; and Strategic Development
Lynn, Board of Directors; Budget & Finance; and Fiscal Intermediary
Allison, Fundraising; United Way Campaign Presentations, Strategic Development Committee
Bernie, Etheridge Plan
Cindy, Dignified Lifestyles

  • Etheridge Plan - (Bernie, Tom and Lynn) – offers a formal and comprehensive plan of lifetime advocacy that will provide consistent follow-up on the individual’s lifestyle while securing appropriate services for persons with mental retardation and/or other related developmental disabilities.  Services include: direct advocacy, making home visits, and serving as trustee and/or guardian.
  • Fiscal Intermediary – (Lynn, Angie, Cindy, Tracy, Kathy, Deana, and Diane) through the Self-Determination Initiative and Community Supports Program for the Macomb Oakland Regional Center (MORC) and the Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority (OCCMHA), The Arc serves approximately 1053 consumers.  In this role The Arc is directed by the individual and their circle of support to act on behalf of that person, rather than being directed by the needs of the service agency; acts as a business agent; helps reduce administrative costs and burdens; helps assure compliance with tax and labor laws; and, maintains accountability over use of funds.  The Arc of Oakland County also assists in the writing of checks and, paying household bills, if necessary.
  • Dignified Lifestyles – (Cindy) – regular monitoring of 12 group homes within Oakland County to ensure appropriate delivery of quality residential services.  Volunteers are assigned homes, perform unannounced visits, write reports, attend quarterly meetings to discuss issues and receive further training.
  • Michigan Performing Arts Talent Show - (Allison) – for 37 years, this talent show has brought the opportunity to hundreds of children and adults with developmental disabilities to showcase their talent.  Bob Talbert, award-winning columnist for the Detroit Free Press emceed the event since its inception, but since Bob’s death, WJR-760 radio personality, Joel Alexander, has done a wonderful job.  It is now held at the Birmingham Community Center in the spring time.  Financial sponsorship is provided by the Manressa Caravan of the Order of the Alhambra, and additional volunteers are from the Birmingham Musicale and local music therapists.
  • Bowling League – (volunteers) – a Saturday morning recreational event in Waterford at the 300 Bowl for persons with special needs.  Gertrude Lomason coordinates a great crew of volunteers.  All bowlers receive trophies and recognition each May at the Annual Bowling Banquet.
  • Weight Watchers - (volunteers) – held at the Big Beaver United Methodist Church every Thursday night to offer a diet and nutritional program for persons with special needs.
  • Fund Raising Events – (Allison- coordinator; all staff participation: financial accounting; bulk mailings; design flyers and tickets; set up and decoration; etc.)
    • Annual Dove Awards Dinner – 400 persons attend a gala event (usually in March or April) to honor and recognize those who make significant contributions on behalf of persons with intellectual impairment in Oakland County.  The Dove Awards Dinner will celebrate 40 years on APRIL 16, 2010!  This event also includes a silent auction, which began in 2004.
    • Half Marathon Challenge – where the Executive Director solicits pledges and contributions from the membership for his running expeditions at a local full or half marathon each year in October.
    • Holiday Appeal – each year, The Arc solicits its memberships for a seasonal donation in time for year end charitable giving.

Other Activities

A. Legislative Monitoring – (Tom) – keeping up on the political happenings in Pontiac at the County Commission and Community Mental Health Authority Board; and at the Lansing and Washington, D.C., level as well.
B. Speaker’s Bureau – (Tom, Allison, Katie) – the primary topics are: what services The Arc can provide; Wills & Trusts and financial benefits; and United Way campaign presentations.

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