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Arc of Bay County Summer Bulletin
Join us for Drive-up Strawberry Shortcake and a FUN Block Party!
$5 donation for Strawberry Shortcake
Music by Nightlife Entertainment
50/50 raffle games and prizes
It’s a block party in the parking lot at The Arc of Bay County!
All proceeds benefit The Arc of Bay County, a not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization that has been serving people of any
age who have intellectual or developmental disabilities since 1952. Event made possible by contributions from The Columbus Avenue Management Board City of Bay City, Buddy’s Columbus Cones, Nightlife Entertainment, Rosie’s Pies, Michigan Sugar, family, volunteers, and friends of The Arc.
We’re Going to The 2025 Women’s LPGA Dow Championship
The Arc of Bay County has been chosen to cheer on golfers to be named soon at the LPGA Dow Championship starting June 23. If you’d like to represent the Arc, and spend a day at the Midland Country Club for this prestigious event, give us a call: (989) 893-1346.
Educational Advocacy For Children in Foster Care
Call your state lawmakers and ask them to reinstate funding for foster care educational advocacy. Less than 41% of children in foster care graduate from high school. This funding is used to improve educational outcomes for youth who are in foster care who have a diagnosed disability or suspected disability as well as those who are aging out, were recently adopted or who are in the CPS system because of abuse, or neglect and those being raised by relatives. In FY 2023, the last full year of funding, more than 3,000 requests for assistance were received and a 100% customer satisfaction rate.
Educational Advocacy & Foster Educational Advocacy
Even before school started this fall, calls were coming in from families looking for help for their children. Sometimes the disabilities that impact a child’s ability to learn are obvious, or known to both school personnel and parent, but not always.
That’s where Jan comes in, not a day goes by that she’s not talking to a family, building relationships with the schools or troubleshooting.
This work is funded by grants from the Arc of Michigan and the Michigan Alliance for Families. If you know of a child struggling at school, give Jan a call at (989) 859-0173.
Stand Up for Medicaid
Michigan Medicaid Cuts, it’s not a rumor, it’s a real threat! In Michigan, Medicaid covers: 50% of people with disabilities, and every person who receives supports from CMH, including Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health are paid by Medicaid. 40% of children in Bay County Michigan have Medicaid as their health insurance. 3 out of 5 people who live in a nursing home use Medicaid to pay the bill. 100’s of older adults and people with disabilities rely on Medicaid to keep them out of nursing homes by providing home and community-based supports through the MI Choice Waiver and Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Medicaid is currently being debated in the Senate, call Washington D.C. and let them know Michigan relies on Medicaid to keep people healthy.
This Thing Called Life!
We’re all somewhere on the path of life, but I have to tell you it’s not getting any easier for people with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Somewhere in the quest for a good life, we’ve lost the spirit of supporting a person so they can be successful, and as independent as possible. A few things we’ve observed as people come and go through the doors of the Arc, include technology troubles. Many people we serve still need face-to face support. They may walk around with a smart phone, but might struggle to use it. Asking a person with a disability to find their own housing is problematic, as our community lacks adequate, affordable rentals, and scammers are prevalent on social media platforms folks gravitate too when looking for apartments to rent. Recently, someone said “the people The Arc serves aren’t the people you think they’d be” They are right, we’ve assimilated into the general population, but you o en can’t tell just by looking who is going to need an extra hand. The expectation that a person with a developmental or intellectual disability should be able to manage personal care, housekeeping, walk to medical appointments, find food, and be able to communicate with law enforcement and professionals in the community are sometimes unrealistic. We appreciate your watchful eye and continued empathy for the life situations many find themselves in.
That’s A Wrap!
What a wonderful evening, nearly a 100 people joined us at the historic State Theatre for the Empty Canvas concert, where a work of art was created and sold to the highest bidder, while silent auction items were monitored online and in-person. When it was over more than $6,000 was raised. Thank You to staff, volunteers and all who participated!
Thank you for supporting The Arc of Bay County as we work together to build a thriving community for all. For more information, reach out at (989) 893-1346.