Arc DeSoto, Inc.
 Assisting Citizens with Developmental Disabilities

 About Arc DeSoto, Inc.

Picture
Our desire is to serve the community at large by offering programs and assistance for people with mental retardation, autism, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, prader-willi syndrome and other developmental disabilities and to form partnerships and relationships with those adults, their parents and their caregivers to provide the highest quality of life possible for all.

The Arc DeSoto Training Center has many programs to offer adults with developmental disabilities in the DeSoto County area. Besides the general services provided, we also have specialty programs within the adult training center to enhance the life of the individuals registered.


Services

Supported Employment - We assist individual in obtaining employment at minimum wage or higher and provide on the job training with continued support.

Personal Care Assistant - This service provides assistance in the home with personal care, such as grooming and hygiene.

Transportation
- ARC DeSoto is licensed to provide transportation for employment and training through Viola Transportation.

Adult Day Training Consumers are given the opportunity to choose various courses offered at the Center. These training courses include employability skills, academic skills, computer literacy and others. Each consumer is interviewed and screened to determine their desires and goals, then placed in appropriate coursework.


Offsite Adult Day Training
Consumers are offered the opportunity to go on work crews with other resident in the community under the direction of Arc staff. Crews vary according to the work and tasks that must be accomplished. Consumers who participate in this program obtain on-the-job training and receive remuneration for the services provided.


Non-Residential Support Services
Consumers are given the opportunity to go into the community and utilize skills and training learned at the Center to interact and apply social skills in mainstream society.

Residential Habilitation
This is a benefit afforded each consumer living in a group home. Residents who choose this service will be given the opportunity to participate in skills training to help them live life more independently in their setting, whether it is a group home or private residence. It is our belief that every person has the right to be independent and should be given the tools necessary to help them achieve success.

Group Home Facilities
Arc DeSoto currently operates two group homes in Arcadia, Florida approximately six miles from the Training Center. Each home has the capacity to house six consumers and has live-in staff members and caregivers, giving our group homes a “family” atmosphere.

Respite Care
Respite care is a provision made for caregivers who need to be away overnight for whatever reason. It is a much needed and necessary service for caregivers and all the while provides new opportunities for consumers to build independent living skills. Relationship building and focus on new and various surroundings can enhance and build confidence among consumers.

Companion Services
This is a service available to consumers who live with their families in private homes. Should assistance be needed by the family caregiver (i.e. scheduling conflicts, personal matters, doctor appointments, etc.) Arc DeSoto would provide the necessary assistance and care for the consumer during those times.

In-Home Support
This is a service available to consumers who are in Supported Living. Consumers living in either a group home or family residence experience many transitions while learning to live independently. This program provides the opportunity for companionship and one-on-one assistance during those transitional periods toward independence. In-home support personnel provide assistance five days a week during the needed hours which may vary depending on consumer need. In-Home support is a vital program necessary to insure out consumers attain success in their daily living environment.

Supported Living
Consumers are assisted in locating housing when they are capable of living independently. Daily living decisions may be made and consumers are afforded suggestions, ideas and advice by Supported Living Coaches to help and guide them in a healthy, secure lifestyle. Banking, shopping and house keeping are but a few of the issues to be addressed in supported living.