Note from the President

Welcome to this first-in-a-while issue of The Arc of Tippecanoe

County newsletter!

The Arc of Tippecanoe County is taking positive action to continue to grow and support people with devel-opmental disabilities and their fami-lies in our community. In our first step, we are developing a strategic plan. We are thankful to have Tim Parsons, Director of Indiana Business College in Lafayette, guiding us through this process.

Second, we are also improving our communication with you. In addition to this newsletter, we are on Face-book! You can find us by searching for “Arc of Tippecanoe County.” Join our group to get The Arc news first and browse through some cool pictures!

Finally, we are increasing the number of advocacy programs we have. Our Activities Fair on March 10 is the first of the year, focusing on recreational opportunities available in our area for people with disabilities and their fami-lies. Later in the year we plan to have a “Planning for the Future” forum.

We want to be a strong organization that works for you and your family. Elsewhere in the newsletter you can read about the benefits of becoming a member of The Arc of Tippecanoe County. We hope you will consider becoming or renewing your member-ship this year and help us continue to serve our community.

We thank you for your support in the past and hope we can count on you to be a part of the exciting develop-ments in The Arc!

Kathy TrinklePresident, Board of the Arc of Tippecanoe County

Arc’s Latest Recreational Activity

Spring 2009 Issue

TheArc of Tippecanoe County

Valentine’s Day Dance was a huge success and enjoyed by Arc members and volunteers.

On Valentine’s Day The Arc of Tippe-canoe County was invited to a

dance sponsored by the Purdue chapter of the National Student Speech Lan-guage Hearing Association (NSSLHA). It was held in the beautifully decorated “ballroom” at CFRC. The 25 Purdue stu-dents were warm and welcoming to the consumers. They thought of everything, including a photo backdrop for pictures and a table to create a picture frame!

We had 83 consumers attend the dance. They danced and

did the Limbo and even had a Congo line! They said they enjoyed “dancing” and “seeing my friends.”

This is the second year NSSLHA has sponsored the dance. We appreci-

ate their hard work in setting up and tearing down for this popular event.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2008 The Adult Recreation program held 20 events with 849 participants.

Legislative Update

A current bill related to people with disabilities

is HB 1050. This bill provides funding to FSSA for the adult guardianship project and for self-advocacy programs through June 2011. It passed the House on Feb 12, 2009 and goes to the Senate. The text available at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo.

The Indiana Institute on Dis-ability and Community and

FSSA want your input on the Medicaid Waiver system. Com-plete their survey available at http://thinktank.groupsystems.com/opinio/s?s=5630.

Adult Recreation Program Is Back In Full Gear

The Adult Recreation Program is swinging back into full gear

again. Michael Hamilton has been hired to serve as Coordinator. Michael is well-known to most of our consumers. Michael recently returned to work at Wabash Center as a Case Coordinator. He also serves as the Best Buddies Program Coordinator, a job he’s had for 3 years.

Michael says, “I am familiar with the Arc and enjoy

the social and recreational aspects of working with people with developmental disabilities.”

Welcome Michael! We look forward to working

with you!

Michael Hamilton hired as Coordinator

New Members Join Arc

We welcome these new members to The Arc of Tippecanoe County!

• David Meadows• Cindy Roberts• Jill Vaught• Nancy Anker Wright• Kathy Murtaugh

On February 12 Paul Mycroft and Shawn Rector were able to deliver Valentines and bags of goodies to their legislators. Rep-resentative Sheila Klinker met with them and gave them a tour of the State House. Beautiful!

MISSION STATEMENTThe Arc of Tippecanoe County is committed to all individuals with developmental disabilities real-izing their goals of learning, living, working, and playing in their community.• Empowering individuals through advocacy and social opportunities.• Empowering their families through education• Empowering their communities through awareness.

Michael Hamilton, new Coordinator with Adult Recreation Program

Arc STAFF

Gina Mundell Executive Director

Michael Hamilton Adult Rec Coordinator, Best Buddies Coordinator

Arc BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kathy Trinkle President

Mary Remster Vice President and Treasurer

Leeann Shoaf Secretary

Ron Clark

Lloyd Crowe

Roberta Deagan

David Meadows

Shawn Rector

Cindy Roberts

Jill Vaught

Nancy Anker Wright

1. KIDS FIRST - Kids First is an educational progam using the nationally re-nowed Kids on the Block puppets. These demon-strations teach children about a variety of disabil-ities and social problems in an entertaining way.

2. CP BOWLING - Bowling League for people with developmental disabili-ties and open to all ages.

3. CAMP SPARKS -A six week recreational day camp for children ages 5-17 with develop-mental disabilities.

4. SuperStar Social club - Monthly events such as dances, picnics, and other social outings for middle school to high school aged children.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Arc Photo Gallery

Paul Mycroft with Gov. Mitch Daniels at the Indiana Statehouse.

Pictures from the Valentine’s Day Dance.

1. AKTION CLUB - The Aktion club is a Ki-wanis Club for adults with disabilities. They meet monthly and participate in commu-nity service projects.

2. ADULT RECREATION - Ac-tivities such as bowling, dances, and movies are reglarly hosted for indi-viduals ages 18 and over throughout the Greater Lafayette community.

3. BEST BUDDIES -volun-teers and adults with de-velopmental disabilities are paired to encourage long-term relationships.

4. CHIMING CHAMPS - A dynamic group that prac-tice choir chimes weekly and peform at various events. Group member-ship is always open.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Calendar of Upcoming

EventsMarch - Disabilities Awareness Month

(see display at WL Public Library )

March 10thActivities Fair

6:30pm-8:30pmIvy Hall Room 1106

March 14thDance at CFRC

1pm-3pm

March 19thAktion Club

4:30pm Elmwood, Indiana

March 21thLunch at Golden Corral

12pm-2pm

April 21thAnnual Meeting

Open to the Public

June 13thDog Walk

9am-12pmCumberland Park

June 15th-July 24thCamp Sparks

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Q:

Why should I become a member of The Arc of

Tippecanoe County?

A:

Good question! Here’s what you get:

automatic membership in The Arc of Indiana and The Arc of the United States, publications from all three Arcs, discounts on insurance products, opportuni-ties to contribute your talent, and representation in local, state, and national policy forums.

Here’s what we get: funding for programs, volunteers who care, and strong voices that support the work of The Arc.

If you have a question for The Arc let us know! Send email to gmundell@wabash-center.com and we’ll answer a question or two in each newsletter.

ARC Adult and ChildrensAsk A Question . . .

The Arc of Tippecanoe CountyP.O. Box 1222

Lafayette, IN 47902-1222

Reaching Out To Individuals with Developmental Disabilities

Contact Us: Gina Mundellgmundell@wabashcenter.com765-423-5531 x408P.O. Box 1222Lafayette, IN 47902-1222