The Arc of New Mexico
The Mission of The Arc of New Mexico is to improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages by advocating for equal opportunities and choices in where and how they learn, live, work, play and socialize.
The Arc of New Mexico works everyday on behalf of individuals with disabilities and their families to ensure that they have the support to participate in and contribute to their communities:
o Public Policy Program includes a full-time Director who is a registered lobbyist who works to inspire positive change in public policy and has a full time presence during the New Mexico Legislative Session.
o The Guardianship Program helps over 80 individuals with decision-making at the level that each person requires. Arc Guardians regularly visit and monitor each individual’s home and other environments and advocate for them to ensure that programs and services are in each person’s best interest.
o Special Needs Trusts Program helps nearly 700 individuals retain their eligibility for government benefits such as Medicaid, SSI and SSDI because they have excess resources due to an inheritance, a lump sum back-payment from Social Security or a lawsuit settlement.
o Representative Payee Program helps approximately 100 individuals with their Social Security Benefits paying for individual’s basic needs from their benefit checks including expenses for housing, food, clothing, medical needs, and personal expenses.
The Arc Down syndrome NM Fund is a unique resource to New Mexico that provides travel stipends for 10 individuals with Down syndrome (and travel companion) to The Arc National Convention, the National Down syndrome Congress Convention, and stipends for 25 individuals to The Arc Annual Conference. Our program coordinator will also meet with individuals and family members to create a person-centered plan.
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Veronica Chavez Neuman
85-0167508