The Arc of Greater Fall River has been helping individuals with intellectual challenges and other developmental disabilities for over 50 years.
On July 1, 2010 we merged with The Arc of Bristol County and The Arc of Greater New Bedford. This unification of the three Arc’s serving Bristol enabled us to expand our services to better serve our area.
Today we provide a comprehensive array of services all designed to empower lives and to assure the right of all people with developmental disabilities to be valued as individuals and to experience choice and inclusion in all aspects of their lives.
Adult Foster Care: Offers the residents of greater Fall River who are MassHealth eligible and either diagnosed with a disability or aging, to continue to live with their families or approved host families in their own communities.
The AFC provider has access to 24/7 on call emergency staffing, regular care manager and nursing visits, emergency and non-emergency respite care. You also receive training including CPR/First Aide and a monthly cash stipend.
Resource Center: The Fall River Resource Center is designed to provide an environment to enable individuals to increase self confidence, self esteem and sense of accomplishment. We believe that building social networks for sharing friendships is integral to the success of the program and strive to create an atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.
The Center offers a variety of enjoyable activities based on the interests and desires of those in attendance. Activities include such things as community outings, Wii challenges, scrapbooking, photography, dinner and a movie night, storytelling, bingo and other fun learning and friendship building opportunities.
Guardianship/Representative Payee: Corporate Guardianship allows the Arc to be appointed to assume responsibility for making personal, medical and financial decisions on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
The Kids on the Block: This unique and effective program provides the opportunity for our area 3rdgraders to learn about other children with disabilities. We also provide a very effective skit on bullying. The “Kids” are life-size puppets with disabilities ranging from Down’s Syndrome to Autism and Cerebral Palsy. Through and entertaining and educational short plays the children learn that all people are to be valued, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and are capable of living full, productive and useful lives.
Special Education Advocacy: The special education laws are both complex and subject to
interpretation. In spite of everyone’s best efforts sometimes a child needs a knowledgeable advocate to help everyone decide on a plan that will be in the best interests of a child. Our family advocate can help negotiate an individual educational plan that will meet your child’s needs.
