The Arc of Midland provides a wide variety of services that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full and meaningful lives.
Our Special Needs Trust is a “Pooled Trust” fund created to manage funds for supplemental needs during a beneficiary’s entire life. A beneficiary can receive funds from such a trust without compromising public support such as Medicaid, Medicaid Waivers, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain other benefits available through the state of Michigan.
For example, individuals with disabilities who receive an inheritance, that would jeopardize benefits can deposit the money in a pooled trust and not lose their benefits.
Pooled trust funds can be used for items such as:
Sibling ROOTS supports the brothers and sisters of children with challenges in Midland County. Siblings of children with challenges often identify experiencing feelings of stress, isolation, being left out, and role confusion. Sibling ROOTS creates opportunities for these children to come together and share their story with other children who ‘just get it’. The ROOTS program provides networking opportunities for siblings and parents, fun and healthy outlets for sibs to express themselves within a safe environment, and learn ways to improve and support their sibling relationship.
Sibling ROOTS is separated into two sections:
Sibling ROOTS is for any child within Midland County who has a brother or sister with challenges. These challenges may include medical, communication, intellectual, or behavioral. There is no specific qualification that the sibling with challenges needs to have.
Through Sibling ROOTS, sibs are able to connect, share their story, have fun and learn some really cool things! Research has identified that such groups increase a sibling’s confidence, relationship satisfaction, and coping and strategy skills while decreasing the feeling of isolation, resentment and frustration. These results can be seen long-term through a stronger family unit and positive sibling relationships to last into adulthood.
Sibling ROOTS schedule
For more information on Sibling ROOTS, contact Rachel Baker at baker@thearcofmidland.org or 989.631.4439 x109
A facilitator is one who makes the Person Centered Planning process easier. Facilitators at The Arc of Midland do the following:
Facilitators at The Arc of Midland are available to facilitate Person Centered Plans, Circles of Support, MAPS, Individual Budgets, and more.
Person Centered Plan – an annual process in which individual’s dreams and goals are discussed and strategies are brainstormed in order to reach those goals.
Circles of Support – a group of people who meet regularly to help a person with an intellectual or developmental disability realize a dream or reach a life-goal.
MAPS – a process to help an individual get from the present reality to future dreams.
Individual Budgets – a process to help individuals budget their service dollars, allowing them to choose how their money is spent.
For more information or to request a facilitator, contact The Arc of Midland, 989-631-4439.
The following principles guide the facilitation of personal plans by The Arc of Midland:
My name is Michael O’Hare. I live in Midland County. I am a father to three wonderful children. I have a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Public Administration from Saginaw Valley State University. I have a Master’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University. I am employed as a school social worker for a local district. I have experience working in the medical and mental health fields as well. I have worked as a case manager for Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority and for Community Mental Health for Central Michigan in Midland County. Much of my experience in mental health has been working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; specifically individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. As a CMH case manager, I worked with many community agencies as well as State and Federal programs overseen by the CMH system.
Hi! I am April Voneitzen! I love helping people with their person centered plans because I want everyone to have an amazing life. I have been facilitating plans for 5 years and really enjoy helping circles of support to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions. I have a Masters in Psychology and am now attending CMU to get a Masters in Counseling. I am a mom to three beautiful kids and spend any free time I have doing fun things with them! I cannot wait to help you and your team plan an awesome year!
I enjoy living in Midland, I have lived here for 30 years. I have worked for the Arc of Midland for almost 20 years as an educational advocate, ensuring children with disabilities receive a quality education. I have been facilitating Person Centered Plans for more than ten years. Each year I experience this for my own daughter, and I look forward to it. I have three children and my oldest has Down syndrome. All three of my children, including my child with a disability have impacted my life in a very positive way.
Over the years, I have been involved in many organized groups throughout our community and have owned my own business. I think of myself of a positive person, and enjoy talking with people. I enjoy listening, and helping people to explore things that they are interested in. For my daughter as well as others with disabilities I like to have high expectations and look for strengths in each individual person.
When I am not working I enjoy cooking and being home with my family. I also like to paint, fix things, sew and read when I have time. But most of all, I like to make a difference in lives of people around me.
Jan Lampman was born and raised in Midland, Michigan. She graduated from Midland Public Schools and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Saginaw Valley University where she majored in Business Administration and Psychology. From 1985 until 1993 she worked for Lutheran Social Services of Michigan as a Direct Care Worker and then as the Group Home Manager.
From 1993 to present she has worked for the Arc of Midland. Her first position with the Arc was as the Head of the Personal Assistance Division and then later became the Executive Director of the Arc of Midland.
Jan has served on the Michigan Quality Community Care Council and is a past member of the board of The Reece Endeavor and Community Corrections. A Rotarian, Jan serves as the district inbound youth exchange coordinator, overseeing the exchange of 14 teens from around the world.
Jan has traveled around the country teaching people about community building and how to assist people with disabilities to have real lives.
Jan has a family member, Mary, who taught her more than anything how to respect all people. Jan also has a 26-year-old son, Justin and has helped raise several other young people, including a young man with a parent who has a developmental disability.
My name is Megan Welke. I grew up in Midland County, but now live in Saginaw County with my husband and two wonderful children. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Saginaw Valley State University, and I will soon graduate from Michigan State University with a Master’s degree in Social Work with a focus in Organization and Community Leadership. I have experience working in many public schools throughout Midland County, primarily with students with disabilities. I also worked as a direct support professional for a number of years, assisting and encouraging people to achieve their dreams, before joining the Arc of Midland team of staff in 2014. I enjoy working alongside people to accomplish goals, and promote their success within the community. When I am not working, I am often spending time with my family, cooking, reading, and traveling.
People First of Midland is an advocacy group composed of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who strive to promote choice, respect, community inclusion and self-determination by providing education, assistance, guidance, resources, and support to others with disabilities in our city and around the state.
People First Goals
Meeting Times
People First generally meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the Strosacker Center, however meeting times are sometimes change so please contact The Arc for current meeting dates. Our last meeting of the year occurs in May, and we break until September.
People First Dances
People First sponsors several dances each year. We have an annual Halloween dance, and a Christmas dance. For more information please contact The Arc.
People First Schedule
Refer to the Arc’s Calendar for current dates and times.
Contact Info
If you are interested in People First of Midland, our accomplishments or our goals, please contact Rebecca Lobodzinski at (989) 631- 4439 x102 or lobodzinski@thearcofmidland.org
Each public school child who receives special education and related services must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with an intellectual or developmental disability.
To create an effective IEP, parents, teachers, other school staff and often the student must come together to look closely at the student’s unique needs. These individuals pool knowledge, experience and commitment to design an educational program that will help the student be involved in, and progress in, the general curriculum. The IEP guides the delivery of special education supports and services for the student with a disability.
The Arc’s education advocacy services help parents, guardians, and students develop a plan of action for obtaining a free and appropriate education and helping students make meaningful progress on their educational goals.
Everyone in Education is a collaboration of families, schools and community, providing training, information, resources and ideas to broaden opportunities to help all children to be successful in the general education setting.
The I.D.E.A Act of 2004
After a long and oftentimes contentious legislative battle, Public Law 108-446, or the “Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004” (IDEA 2004) was passed by Congress and then signed by President George W. Bush on December 3, 2004. The earlier version, IDEA 1997, remains substantially in place; however this particular re-authorization of the statute contains many new provisions that take effect July 1, 2005. The highlights are:
US Department of Education: A Guide to the Individualized Education Program
Citizens Alliance To Uphold Special Education (CAUSE) : IEP Specific Information
Project Lifesaver Has Many Roles
The primary mission is to locate and rescue missing persons. We have established many partnerships with local law enforcement to help save money and time for taxpayers. We also have many partnerships that strengthen the awareness of our technologies and services.
Benefits to Midland County:
For more information, please contact the Arc of Midland.
The Arc of Midland is available to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities manage their finances.The Arc can receive and deposit monthly SSI and SSDI payments and assist individuals with managing their expenses, budgeting, and paying bills.
In addition, our Social Security and claims filing program offers advice and assistance in filing for SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and Medicare for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Employees at the Arc of Midland are available for filing appeals of denials, including some court appearances. We also help with resolution of overpayments and other issues with the Social Security Administration.
To learn more contact us!
Our Special Needs Trust is a “Pooled Trust” fund created to manage funds for supplemental needs during a beneficiary’s entire life. A beneficiary can receive funds from such a trust without compromising public support such as Medicaid, Medicaid Waivers, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and certain other benefits available through the state of Michigan.
For example, individuals with disabilities who receive an inheritance, that would jeopardize benefits can deposit the money in a pooled trust and not lose their benefits.
Pooled trust funds can be used for items such as:
Sharing Tree is a program sponsored by United Way of Midland County where community members volunteer to purchase a needed item as a Christmas present for an individual who is financially unable to purchase it him or herself. A staff member of The Arc of Midland submits requests toUnited Way of Midland County and distributes these gifts to individuals.
The Helping Hands Dental Center opened in December 2004. Staffed by both paid and volunteer dentists it is funded by Medicaid, foundations, churches and service organizations. The Center treats Medicaid eligible adults who reside in Midland County. Provided services include examinations, cleanings, fillings, dentures and partials, along with soft tissue cancer exams and extractions. The Center is located at 1509 Washington Street, Midland in the Midland Towne Center Plaza. Appointments are necessary and can be made by calling 989-837-9740.
The 211 help line may also be able to provide assistance especially for dental services for children. Additionally, The Bay City Dental clinic (989-892-7062) and Michigan Community Dental Clinic in Mt. Pleasant (989-772- 4026) accept patients from out of their respective areas.
To Be Determined
To Be Determined
In order to vote in Michigan, you must present one form of photo identification at the polls:
Voters who do not have acceptable picture ID or forgot to bring acceptable picture ID to the polls can vote like any other voter by signing an affidavit. Once you sign the affidavit, you may cast your ballot. It will be counted with all other ballots on Election Day.
Primary Day:
To Be Determined
Election Day:
November 3, 2020
Did you know that Midland County 911 offers a specialized Citizen Emergency Information Form on their website? By completing and submitting the form to adi@midland911.org (or by Fax to 989-839-5476) you provide emergency responders with valuable detailed information about you and your loved ones.