The Community Services Program at The Arc of Shelby County focuses on individual and family support by offering case management and advocacy services, providing resources and referrals to individuals and families, assisting families with applying for public benefits available to them, providing assistance to families of school-aged children as requested for IEP advocacy and development, and providing follow-along and advocacy as needed for children who have exited The Arc of Shelby County’s Early Intervention program.
S.T.A.R. (Short-Term Assistance and Referral) Services
S.T.A.R. assists individuals navigate confusing public assistance programs, such as Medicaid and Social Security. The program also refers individuals to community resources for therapy, financial assistance, crisis intervention, transportation, child care, and any medical assistance. S.T.A.R. is also responsible for 6-month follow up visits after a child is discharged from Early Intervention. An individual can be referred for services by internal or external measures using the S.T.A.R. referral form. The individual must present with a developmental delay or disability that cannot be attributed to aging issues, drug and alcohol issues, or mental health issues (unless there is a dual diagnosis). To make a referral, please complete the S.T.A.R. Referral Form.
Benefits Assistance
For additional information on future planning, please visit The Arc of The US’s Center for Future Planning
The Center’s website provides reliable information and practical assistance to families and individuals with intellectual and development disabilities on areas such as person-centered planning, decision-making, housing options, financial planning, establishing daily activities and making social connections.
For more information on the Community Services program, please contact Whitney Emerson – Training, Outreach and Engagement Specialist – at whitney.emerson@thearcofshelby.org.
