The Arc opens a new branch office in Shelton, Washington.

The Arc of the Peninsulas opens a new Mason County-based branch office to serve the local community better.

SHELTON, WA (May 24, 2022) - The Arc of the Peninsulas is pleased to announce the opening of our new Shelton-based branch office located at 1051 SE State Route Hwy 3 Suite F Shelton WA 98584.

In attendance at the grand opening where Mason County Commissioners Randy Neatherlin, Kevin Shutty and Sharon Trask.

"It has been a long time coming and we are not only thrilled but grateful to our County Commissioners for their bold leadership in funding our expansion into Mason County." stated Chris Tibbs, President & CEO of The Arc.

The Arc in Mason County will focus on providing the following services:

Advocacy

The Arc communicates with local, state, and national lawmakers so they can make informed decisions regarding the well-being of Washington’s citizens with developmental disabilities. The Arc works diligently to preserve fundamental human rights and to assure that necessary programs and services are available.

Through individual, group, and systems advocacy, The Arc promotes opportunities for living, learning, playing, and working in the community. Read the latest The Arc United States governmental affairs information and Washington State political affairs information to stay informed on issues of concern. See The Arc of Washington State website for information.

Community Engagement & Inclusion

Services are designed to develop creative, flexible, and supportive community resources and relationships. This service helps connect individuals to resources in their community and supports them to participate, engage, and integrate into the community. This service is available in the Individual and Family Services, Basic Plus and Core waivers.

Lifelong Learning & Empowerment Trainings

Training's include our award-winning Healthy Relationships, an 8-week Healthy Relationships Program for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We address an unmet educational need: what makes ANY relationship healthy or unhealthy.

Education about healthy relationships gives participants practical information to help them establish and respect boundaries. This program teaches participants the concepts of respect, choice, and trust and details on identifying and reporting abuse. Our curriculum is based on the inherent value and worth we each possess as human beings.

The Healthy Relationship Program is provided free of charge to participants, and we provide all materials and all instruction. Healthy Relationships is an 8-week, hour-long program offered once a week.

Specialized Habilitation

Specialized Habilitation support can help individuals enhance their well-being, create healthy relationships, navigate challenges, and improve their overall quality of life.

Representative Payee

The Arc provides protective payee services to individuals who receive Social Security benefits. Our financial counselors are experienced professionals who work confidently with clients to help them meet their personal and financial goals. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those receiving Social Security benefits achieve greater financial stability and independence with support from The Arc's Representative Payee Services. Our trained financial counselors provide personal assistance to help clients manage their monthly income, pay bills, stay on budget, and avoid predatory lending and financial exploitation.

Mason County Parent Coalition

For parents, supporting a child with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) can be challenging. Talking to someone who has traveled a similar road can be tremendously helpful.

In Washington, about 70% of people with an intellectual or developmental disability (I/DD) live at home with a parent or family caregiver. Supporting an individual with I/DD comes with many responsibilities and some challenges along the way. The Arc of the Peninsulas' family support programs can help parents and family caregivers develop resiliency, connect to services, and plan for the future.

Matching parents in one-to-one relationships with trained, experienced parents, based on similar diagnoses and family issues.

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