Resources & Tools
At The Arc of Bartholomew County, we make it a priority to offer information regarding necessary and beneficial resources to invidiuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (as well as their caregivers and families) in our community.
The links below provide detailed information about resources available to you at each stage of life from birth through adulthood.
There’s also information about government programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI),
Our Disability Community Resource List was created for individuals in Bartholomew County (and the surrounding areas) and provides contact information and descriptions of many organizations that offer support and services that are necessary and relevant to disability care.
Categories of resources include:
Advocate Groups/Support Networks, Home Health Care Providers, Waiver Resources/Case Management, Service Providers, ABA Therapy Providers, Future Planning, Job Placement Services, Recreation / Social Activities, Lawyers with Experience in Disability Matters, Resource Providers, Financial Planning, & City/County Resources
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Guardianship & Alternatives
Guardianship is a powerful tool which removes the legal right of individuals to make decisions for themselves. The structure of guardianship can be limited to specific areas or apply broadly. In Indiana, most guardianship agreements are called plenary guardianship, the broadest form of guardianship.
Becoming a guardian includes many responsibilities that differ from the parent-child relationship in important ways. Obtaining guardianship requires going to court and, if a guardian is required, the guardianship agreement continues even after the guardian dies.
It's a serious commitment to create and maintain the status of guardian. Narrower tools, like limited power of attorney and health care representative agreements, might meet the protected person's needs better than a guardianship agreement and allow for greater self-determination.
Caregiver & Future Planning
Thank you for being a caregiver! We know it can be a lot to manage. So we put together this binder to help you gather all the moving pieces.
Work together with family and friends of the person you care for to fill out these essential forms.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to behavior modification. ABA takes a detailed view of behavior and helps the learner develop skills to achieve desired outcomes through behavioral improvements. Understanding why a client acts in a certain way allows the behavior analyst to apply strategies to replace less-appropriate behaviors with more appropriate behaviors.
The behavior analyst supports the client in building a variety of skills, like communication and daily living skills, with an ultimate goal of improved self-determination and happiness. While commonly associated as a supportive tool for individuals with autism spectrum disorders, ABA can be useful for other learners, too. ABA is also helpful for learners of a wide range of ages, from adolescents to adults.
Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS)
The structure and support available while attending school isn't as easily accessible after graduation. For students with disabilities, this loss of support can be especially difficult to navigate. To ease the transition from school to the workforce, Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) was created.
Pre-ETS is similar to Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services, though Pre-ETS services are focused on a younger population. Individuals aged 14 to 22 who are eligible for, and receiving, special education or related services under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IEP, 504 plan) may be eligible to participate in the Pre-ETS program.