Adult Self-Advocacy Services

Self-advocacy or Client programs are for individuals with disabilities. Activities in this category include self-advocacy training groups, advocacy services, guardianship & conservatorship, and person centered planning. Each year, Adult Services aids approximately 220 individuals.

A HUGE thank you to all who participated in the Do North Pizza fundraiser! A reminder that the date to pick up the pizza's is Monday April 12th from 3-6 at the Ordean Building Conference rooms! 

*Due to the amount of pizza's sold by the self advocacy group's we will be hosting a summer social!!

Self-Advocacy Groups

The goal of these groups is to provide individuals who have disabilities with the skills and knowledge necessary to be as independent as they are able, able to advocate for their own needs, and connected to their communities.

People First Group:  This group is a self advocacy group for men and women with disabilities to help them have a voice in the community. Each month a meeting is held to discuss many topics to help group members be as successful in the community. Speakers come from all over the community to help encourage and remind members with disabilities that they are a vital part of the community and their concerns matter greatly. Some of the speakers have come from PAVSA, the Police Department, and Social Workers around the community. The discussions within the group are how to be safe in the community, caregiver abuse, being healthy, and self advocacy. People First also hosts a dinner dance at the Radisson Hotel, and also a holiday social in December.

Young Women’s Group:  This group is for women with disabilities within the community who are between the ages of 18 and 35. The goal of the group is to empower women with disabilities by providing opportunities for learning, volunteering, and participating in the community. Not to mention is a great place for women with disabilities to get to know one another, and be encouraged by one another.  In the past the Young Women’s group has Participated in the Chili cook-off, visited the Duluth Depot, gone bowling, visited pottery burn for discussion and crafts , discussed topics such as Shaking off Stereotypes, Dating, Relationships and Personal Boundaries, Breast Cancer, historical women, gardening , holiday parties, potluck dinners, recipe exchanges, and speakers have come from PAVSA, DRCC, YMCA. 

Click here to view the flyer for March's Women's group

Couple’s Club:  This group is a great opportunity for young couples married or dating to get together with other couples and experience a sense of commonality. The vision of couples club is to validate their relationships and meet socially and is facilitated by Arc Northland’s advocacy coordinator. Couple’s meet on a bi-monthly basis and do a variety of activities such as bowling, movies in the park or theaters, dining out, or have conversations over coffee.

New* Men’s Group: Attention young men with disabilities between the ages of 18-30: Beginning this February, we will be starting a new group called Young Men’s Group. The goal of this group is to provide support, advocacy and comfort as these young men gather together to discuss topics of interest, learn more about their community while doing fun activities together.

CLICK HERE  for flyer on April's Men's Group Meeting.

Advocacy Services

Arc staff can provide advocacy to support individuals with disabilities in exercising their rights, problem-solving, and accessing appropriate services.

Guardianship & Conservatorship

Arc staff have information and can assist families and individuals through the guardianship process, including determining whether or not guardianship/conservatorship is needed and filling out paperwork.

Person-Centered Planning

Arc staff are trained in facilitating several types of person-centered planning processes for helping individuals with disabilities design their own futures, including PATH (Planning Alternative Tomorrows with Hope) and personal futures planning.

PCA North

Personal Care Assistant services help people with disabilities of all ages to live independently in the community or in their family home by providing assistance with tasks such as dressing, bathing, meal preparation, participating in community activities, and redirection and intervention for harmful behaviors. We are enrolled with the State of Minnesota as both a traditional PCA provider organization and a PCA Choice provider. We can serve individuals who are on or eligible for Medical Assistance.

Information & Referral

The Arc Northland office has a variety of print, video, and audio materials about special conditions and situations available.