The Arc of Union/Cabarrus, Inc.

10/15/2022

The Cabarrus Champions Aktion Club enjoyed the beautiful weather today with a Fall Cookout at Dan Nicholas Park! This amazing group of self-advocates plans & completes about 10 community service projects each year and several social outings. If you or your loved one would like to join, email us at steve@thearcisthere.org

09/30/2022

NEWS ALERT: The Medicaid Tailored Plan rollout has been delayed until April 1, 2023.

To ensure beneficiaries can seamlessly receive care on day one, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will delay the implementation of the NC Medicaid Managed Care Behavioral Health and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Tailored Plans until April 1, 2023.

07/13/2022

Upcoming webinar about changes ahead for NC Medicaid.

WEBINAR ALERT! Our next webinar about the upcoming launch of Tailored Plans is happening on Thursday, August 4th at 4:30pm!

Register here: https://thearcofnc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fOo24CpBSBmyl6_lYbMnjQ

We will be hosting the third webinar in our series on the Tailored Plan launch happening in December 2022. Bring your questions!!
The webinar will be recorded if you cannot attend.

05/29/2022

“Near but far.” Thank you for sharing what so many are feeling, Finding Cooper's Voice. ❤️

I want to acknowledge how hard holidays like this one can be on a family with a member who has a disability.

It’s important that we talk about it. Share what we need. Let the world know that we are trying but so often we just can’t.

We try. We may fail.
We don’t try. We feel left out. Sad.

It’s hard.

If we do go to the bbq, beach or party, we are usually near but far.

We wander the perimeter.
We sit in the car.
We hide in a bedroom.
We watch from a distance.

Near but far. Seeing but not being a part of.

For years, even sometimes today, I wished for someone just to wander with me and my son. Walk with us.

Yesterday my son had his first ever field trip. It was wonderful and I am so proud of him and thankful we went.

But I will say, he never interacted with another child. While the other 125 kids played laser tag, mini golfed, and spent money in the arcade, my husband and I jumped with him in the trampoline and climbed in the play structure.

It was wonderful for us. No sadness at all. Only joy.

But, near but far. In the same building. Not in any way part of the event.

I used to say we were never excluded but not really included either. I feel that still. Often.

And while I know it is what it is, and can’t be changed, I just want to acknowledge it. Talk about it.

Holidays like this weekend are hard on our families.

The subtle differences will scream at us. Often we will choose to stay home where it’s safe. Or we will venture out, holding our breath.

So, give us grace. Acknowledge us.

Sit with with. Walk with us. Ask how you can help. Know that we are trying so hard to fit into your world.

Find us. Bring us a plate of food. Maybe even a drink. Include us in the photos.

The little things.

This piece was written by Kate of Finding Cooper's Voice.

04/27/2022

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce's Diversity Council hosted a Lunch ‘N Learn program on Tuesday, April 19th focused on employing adults with I/DD. Panelists included employers from Chick-fil-A and Ben & Jerry’s and Arc of Union/Cabarrus' own Melanie Miller. The discussion was moderated by Dan Houston, Diversity Council Chairperson. We were so grateful for the opportunity to shed light on this important topic as less than 1/3 of people with I/DD in NC are employed, and they are a huge, untapped resource! Watch the program recording here:

The Lake Norman Chamber’s Diversity Council will explore several topics over the course of the year dealing with Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion. The first ...

04/20/2022

"According to AccessAbility, 82,000 Ukranian children with disabilities are segregated in institutions and are at risk of abandonment. And the organization says only 4% of Ukraine’s infrastructure is accessible to people with disabilities. " Check out how the Arc is making a difference and supporting these individuals overseas.

The Arc is closely watching the crisis in Ukraine & thinking of the estimated 2.7 million people with disabilities who are in harm’s way.

04/15/2022

We want to congratulate the Arc of Union/Cabarrus' own, Melanie Miller. Melanie was selected to join the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Union County Chamber of Commerce. We are excited to see the work she contributes to and the opportunity she has to share her voice. See more:
https://www.unioncountycoc.com/programs/diversity-and-inclusion-committee/

04/13/2022

Inclusion means something different to everyone. We hope to create that sense of inclusion through our programs and events.

What does inclusion mean to you?

04/12/2022

We would love to spotlight two of our Cabarrus Champions Aktion Club members who had featured roles in the 2022 Cabarrus County Special Olympics Spring Games. Amanda Faggart, Aktion Club President, was a spokesperson during the Opening Ceremony, and Darius Robinson, an Aktion Club member, was selected to sing the National Anthem. We are so proud of their talents and their involvement in the community!

04/07/2022

April is Autism Awareness Month! We are excited to provide awareness to and hear the stories of people with autism. We want to continue providing support for these individuals and help them reach their full potential!

03/30/2022

The President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities "aims to provide advice and assistance to the President of the U.S. and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on a broad range of topics that impact people with intellectual disabilities as well as the field of intellectual disabilities". President Biden has recently expanded his committee and planning to appoint additional individuals. See here:

WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden announces his intent to appoint the following individuals to serve as members on the President's Committee for People

03/28/2022

"The Arc is the nation’s leading advocate for all people with I/DD and their families. Our chapter is committed to providing information and referral services in both Union County and Cabarrus County to individuals with disabilities and their families. and learn more about what we do today!