Agency Details:

The Arc of Atlantic County

The Arc of Atlantic County improves the lives of people with developmental disabilities in our community. Through direct services, advocacy, education and prevention activities, we work in partnership with individuals and their families to make choices possible about how and where they live, learn, play and work. Our vision is that people have the opportunities and supports they need to live the lives they choose.

Description:
The Arc of Atlantic County has been providing valuable services to children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families since 1961. We serve approximately 700 people in a variety of programs. Our residential programs include group homes, supervised apartments and supported living options. Many of our consumers are living in the community with their families and receive our case management and family support/respite services. Other community-based programs include advocacy, our popular recreational programs, and supported employment services. Additionally, The Arc provides Direct Support Professional Training and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Education and Outreach. The Arc of Atlantic County employs approximately 220 people throughout the agency.

The Arc is a very diverse organization, and opportunities for volunteers are always available – every department uses volunteers, so whether you are interested in working in the office, helping out with maintenance or playing on the softball field, we can accommodate you!

History:
Part of a national, member-supported movement, The Arc of Atlantic County is a private non-profit organization that has been making a difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families since its founding in 1961.

The Arc movement got its start in the late 1940s right here in New Jersey by Elizabeth Boggs. As a mother of a child with a developmental disability, Dr. Boggs understood that there were two basic options for families with a child with developmental disabilities. One option was that the child could be placed in an institution. The other was that the family could keep the child at home, often through adulthood.

Dr. Boggs had something different in mind. She called together other parents and began to advocate through public policy initiatives for community based services they needed whether it be a public education, a residential service, or community programs like day care, summer camp, family respite, case management, recreation, and social activities. All of these programs would later be coordinated at the state and county level through organizations like The Arc of Atlantic County for the benefit of all families.

In October 2007, the Council on Quality and Leadership, a national accrediting organization for agencies that support people with disabilities, recognized The Arc of
Atlantic County with a four year accreditation. This prestigious honor is not merely a
stamp of approval—it provides a benchmark for agency growth and progress. This
year, the focus for CQL was The Arc’s ability to provide ‘Responsive Services’ and
engage in ‘Community Life’

Contact people:

Jennifer Rowles, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email) Deborah Jewell, Communications Director, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (609) 407-6282

Address:

6550 Delilah Road, Suite 101 Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.arcatlantic.org

Directions:

From the North via RT. 206: Take RT. 206 South to the intersection of RT 30 in Hammonton. Make a left onto RT 30 and proceed East for approx. 20 miles to RT 563-Tilton Road. (Super WaWa on right) (Might say. . . (more)

Last updated on July 9, 2009