About

MISSION STATEMENT

The Arc of Cape May County, Inc. promotes and protects the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. The Arc of Cape May County, Inc. is committed to enhancing the quality of life of those individuals and their families through direct services, advocacy, empowerment, education and prevention.

CORE VALUES

People First: The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value, not by their disability.

Equity: The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are entitled to the respect, dignity, equality, safety and securities accorded to other members of society, and are equal before the law.

Community: The Arc believes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities belong in the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.

Self-determination: The Arc believes in self-determination and self-advocacy. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with appropriate resources and supports, can make decisions about their own lives and must be heard on issues that affect their well-being.

Diversity: The Arc believes that society in general and The Arc in particular benefit from the contributions of people with diverse personal characteristics (including but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location, sexual orientation, gender and type of disability).

HISTORY

The Arc of Cape May County was formed in 1961 by parents determined to ensure the most full and independent lives possible for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). What began as an early intervention program in our first administrative/program office (our former thrift shop) has now become a well respected, solid fixture in the community providing an array of services. For over 50 years we have been creating opportunities, changing public attitudes and fostering respect, access and inclusion. healthcare systems, in communities and most significantly on a very personal level impacting families and individuals lives. We’ve ushered in an era of growing respect, inclusion and participation for people with I/DD and changed the status quo from closing institutions to opening the doors to new opportunities. We are a local, private, non-profit agency supporting mostly residents of Cape May County, but also throughout the state of New Jersey in selected programs.

We are licensed by the state of New Jersey through the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). In order to receive services from The Arc of Cape May, an individual must be determined eligible by the DDD and meet certain criteria as specified by the State. We work closely with other local chapters of The Arc, as well as The Arc of New Jersey and are affiliated with The Arc of the United States. Currently, The Arc provides services to approximately 250 people in the community and 79 permanent placement residents and currently has about 240 employees.

The agency provides services and programs to all individuals regardless of disability, sex, race, economic status, etc. Members of the community receiving services are of varying degrees of economic status and their income has no bearing on the level of services received. The state of New Jersey, with the families input, determines the needed support systems to enable the best outcomes for the individuals served.