Our Story
Governed by a voluntary board of directors, the Arc of Bay County Michigan is a membership-based organization, one of more than 600 chapters across the country, dedicated to helping people with DD/IDD be fully included in their communities. The Arc of Bay County Michigan was founded in 1952 by a group of parents seeking meaningful community-based lives for their children.
The Arc of Bay County Michigan is an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of individuals with intellectual impairments and developmental disabilities in Bay County, Michigan. The organization holds several key beliefs:
All individuals, regardless of their intellectual or developmental disabilities, possess unique abilities. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging and valuing these individual strengths.
Every person, including those with disabilities, has the fundamental right to influence their own daily lives. This includes making choices and decisions that affect their personal well-being and quality of life.
Governments have a shared responsibility to support and enable communities in ways that align with the preferences and needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes providing access to resources, services, and opportunities that promote personal satisfaction and fulfillment.
Individuals with intellectual impairments and developmental disabilities are entitled to the same legal, personal, and civil rights as any other citizen. The Arc of Bay County Michigan advocates for the protection and enforcement of these rights under both federal state laws.
Overall, The Arc of Bay County Michigan is committed to promoting inclusion, empowerment, and equality for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they are afforded the same rights and opportunities as everyone else in society.
Meet Our Team
Joani Hogan
Independent Facilitator
Joani Hogan, is a retired social worker who works part time with the Arc of Bay County. Ms. Hogan started her career working with children and adults who have developmental disabilities in California, later returning to Michigan with her husband and family to work at the Macomb Oakland Regional Center in metro Detroit, after moving to Bay City she was a case manager working in Medicaid home and community-based services and nursing home diversion programs. Joani advocates for people with mental illness and developmental or intellectual disabilities. When she’s not at the Arc, she spends time working as a direct support professional for her adult daughter who uses a wheelchair, and enjoying time with her grandson who is on the autism spectrum.
Trisha Fenby
Independent Facilitator
Trisha Fenby has first-hand experience in the day-to-day challenges and rewards of caring for an individual with a disability. As a parent of a young woman with autism, Trisha has been a strong advocate for over 20 years. She has a passion for community and focuses on increasing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to feel valued and belong. Trisha believes that everyone deserves a chance to have their dreams expressed and work toward achieving those dreams. As an Independent Facilitator, Trisha works with individuals to break those dreams down into achievable steps and find the resources needed to make progress toward the dream.
Jan Lampman
Independent Facilitator
Jan Lampman has worked with individuals with Intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1985. Starting as a direct support professional in her last year at Saginaw Valley State University, Jan developed a passion for inclusion and community for all citizens. Upon graduation from SVSU, Jan continued her work with people with I/DD as a group home manager, opening 5 homes to allow individuals to leave a state institution. Jan then moved on to The Arc of Midland, where she worked for 27 years, developing new initiatives, and helping to create a culture in her community that supports, values, and includes people with I/DD. After working with a team in Midland to establish opportunities for people with I/DD to live in homes of their own, Jan was a founding member and faculty of the Michigan Academy for Self Determination. Jan was also a consultant for the Center For Self Determination. With the Michigan Academy and the Center for Self Determination, Jan taught people all over the country about the principles of Self Determination. In addition, Jan’s chapter of The Arc worked with guardianship and alternatives. Jan has assisted with restoration of rights and setting up alternatives for the past 20 years. Jan is currently the owner of Community Drive, a consulting and training organization dedicated to promoting Self Determination, Person Centered Planning, Community, positive change and thriving. Jan is the mother of two young men, one adopted out of the foster care system.
Name
Annette Jeske
Annette Jeske, has spent the past twenty years working and volunteering in a variety of human service settings including community mental health, Medicaid-funded home and community based services and more. She has a master’s degree from CMU, spent five years teaching social work with the aging as an adjunct professor in the SVSU School of Social Work, and more recently designed and taught a Direct Support Professional curriculum at MID Michigan College.
Name
2024
Board of Directors
Charles Juers
President
Ron Niemiec
Vice President
Jenel Kukla
Treasurer
Kristy Schmidt
Secretary
Jamie Crites
Board Member
Kaylee Rogers
Board Member
Jill Schultz
Board Member
Brian Vos
Board Member
FAQ's
Monday = 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Tuesday = 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Wednesday = 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Thursday = 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday = Closed
Saturday = Closed
Sunday = Closed
Need help outside our normal Office Hours? Call us at (989) 893-1346 or email us at contact@arcbc.com to set up an appointment.
An Arc is a not for profit organization that advocates for people of any age who experience an intellectual or developmental disability. The Arc of Bay County is a local branch of The Arc of The United States working to provide assistance and advocacy for our local community.
At the instruction of the Social Security Administration, a Representative Payee pays the basic needs bills for a person, and helps them budget their money for larger purchases and regular spending. If you are interested in this program, contact Social Security in Bay City Michigan and ask if you are eligible. Let them know you’d like the Arc of Bay County to work with you. Check out our Programs page for more info.
Yes, the Arc of Bay County has grant funds to assist any child who is having problems with school if the child has, or may have a developmental or intellectual disability. All children in Michigan are entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) call and be connected to an Educational Advocate today. Check out our Programs page for more info.