Programs & Services
Since 1955, The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley has been the premier advocacy organization devoted to promoting the well-being of and ensuring a satisfying and productive life for our citizens with intellectual, cognitive and related developmental disabilities by encouraging, assisting and empowering them to live, learn, work, worship and play in the community.
Approximately 3,500 different families interact with The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley each year through the following:
WV Birth to Three
WV Birth to Three is a system that provides services to infants or toddlers under the age of three who have a delay in one or more areas of development, or may be at risk of possibly having delays in the future due to a condition which is typically associated with a developmental delay such as Down Syndrome; or a combination of biological and other risk factors which may include family and/or environmental stressors.
The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley serves as the Regional Administrative Unit for an eight-county region serving Wood, Wirt, Pleasants, Ritchie, Calhoun, Gilmer, Doddridge and Harrison. To be eligible for West Virginia Birth to Three services, an infant or toddler under the age of three can either have a delay in one or more areas of their development, or be at risk of possibly having delays in the future. A child may have delays in one or more of the following areas:
Physical
Moving, seeing, hearing, health
Cognitive
Thinking and learning
Social/Emotional
Feelings, coping, getting along with others
Adaptive
Moving, seeing, hearing, health
Communication
Understanding and communicating with others
What to expect:
A team of professionals works with the family based on each family’s concerns and priorities for their child. Teams include people who can provide the family knowledge about possible areas of concern with the child’s development. If a child is found to be eligible for WV Birth to Three, the family chooses whether they want to participate and receive services. (The Department of Health and Human Resources, through the Bureau for Public Health and the Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health, the lead agency for Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), assures that family centered, community based services are available to all eligible children and families.)
Important Beliefs of the WV Birth to Three System • Families are the “experts” about their child and family needs. WV Birth to Three is a support for families, assisting them to learn more about their child’s growth and development. • WV Birth to Three provides information so families can make decisions about what they need to support their child’s development. • Services support the child’s participation in learning opportunities within their home and community. • WV Birth to Three services identified on the IFSP are provided at no cost to the family.
How to Make A Referral For more information or to make a referral: call 304-485-2000 or 1-866-321-4728. You can CLICK HERE for a referral form.
Health & Wellness Program
A healthy lifestyle means a lot more than just “not” having an illness or disability. This comprehensive Wellness program offers instruction and activities that are developed and presented at a cognitive level those we serve can understand. Designed to be adapted on many levels, the program has three focus areas: Health & Nutrition, Primary & Preventative Care, and Fitness & Recreation.
Arts and the Underserved
Inclusive Summer Day
Elementary through Sr. High students who utilize special education services in the school system have the opportunity to attend a 4-week summer day program in an effort to provide social and recreation activities in inclusive settings to the consumers, as well as respite for caregivers and other family members.For more information, email: alexis.ullmann@thearcmov.org or call 304-422-3151 ext. 114.
Secret Christmas
Each Christmas, volunteers are coordinated to bring Christmas Cheer to almost 300 youth and adults, in our community, with intellectual or related developmental disabilities who have demonstrated significant financial need for a special care package at Christmas, and little or no support from family or friends.
Secret Christmas operates entirely on donations from the community. If you would like to help, please consider a one-time or monthly gift. CLICK HERE! Or scan the QR Code with your phone.
If you would like a Wish List, please Click Here. For a fillable PDF version Click Here.
If you would like to shop and/or wrap, Click Here for the form. For a fillable PDF version Click Here
Prevention
A key focus area of The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley is to educate the public on the causes of intellectual disability and reducing the prevalence through prevention.
Resources
WV Parent Training and Information
1-800-281-1436
http://www.wvpti.org/
Office of Special Programs
1-800-642-8541
http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/
http://wvde.state.wv.us/specialeducationcompliance/
Wright’s Law
http://www.wrightslaw.com/
Office for Civil Rights
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/qa-disability.html
West Virginia Advocates
1-800-950-5250
http://www.wvadvocates.org
IDEA State Complaint Resource Center
https://www.advocacyinstitute.org/iscrc/index.shtml
Downloads
FIEP Procedures
504 Resource
Policy 2419
Parent Advocacy Guide
Policy 4373
Special Education section 504 guidelines
Participation Guidelines
IDEA 2004 –
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Federal Statute and Regulations
U.S. Department of Education Website To Assist Users in Navigating IDEA
IDEA Law and Guidance
Assistive Technology
Increasing awareness and accessibility to assistive technology for people of all ages and types with disabilities is accomplished through programs of community education, family support, advocacy and services. Partially funded through a grant from West Virginia Assistive Technology Systems (WVATS) this tech team serves Roane, Ritchie, Wirt, Wood, Tyler, Pleasants, Doddridge, and Jackson counties. Assistive technology includes:
Technology Related Assistance:
Either the provision of technology related devices or technology related services to improve the independence, quality of life or productive involvement in the community for individuals with disabilities.
Technology Related Device:
Either the provision of technology related devices or technology related services to improve the independence, quality of life or productive involvement in the community for individuals with disabilities.
Technology Related Service:
Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of a technology-related device including: evaluation, purchasing and leasing equipment, selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing technology related devices, coordination of services with technology related devices such as those associated with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Program (IWRP), or training and technical support.
Emergency Preparedness
Ready.gov information:
https://www.ready.gov/individuals-access-functional-needs
Public Health Emergency information from the US Department of Health and Human Resources:
http://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/abc/Pages/afn-guidance.aspx
Guidance on Planning for Integration of Functional Needs Support Services in General Population Shelters from FEMA:
https://www.fema.gov/pdf/about/odic/fnss_guidance.pdf
Employers’ Guide to Including Employees with Disabilities in Emergency Evacuation Plans :
http://askjan.org/media/EmployersGuideEmergencyEvacuation.pdf
Fire Safety for Wheelchair Users at Work and at Home:
http://www.unitedspinal.org/pdf/WheelchairFireSafety.pdf