Passion and
with their families.” She continued,
“They wanted to play an active role
in ensuring that individuals with
disabilities were prepared, empowered
and supported to fully participate
in the life of the community.” In
1965 the agency served only school
the Director/ CEO of The aged children and began with 13
Arc of LaGrange County, as she students, with a budget of $9,000.
Today the agency helps more than 300
expounded upon the organization
individuals who participate in a wide
that she’s been a part of for over thirty
array of services. The annual budget
years. Deb in essence grew up with the
has grown to nearly 1.8 million dollars.
organization as her parents, Leonard
The primary focus for The Arc, as
and Geraldine Prisock, were two of the
a private, not-for-profit organization,
original group of concerned citizens
has always been to serve the people
that formed the School of Opportunity
of LaGrange County with intellectual
(as it was originally known) when it
and/or developmental disabilities and
first started in 1965. According to Deb,
their families. The Arc is accredited by
“The original group shared a common
The Rehabilitation Accreditation Comdream for children with disabilities.
mission (CARF), as well as a member
That dream included education, skill
of The National Arc, The Arc of Indiana,
training, recreation, integration and
The Indiana Association of Rehabilitation
support that would enable children
Facilities, and The Indiana Association of
in the community to live at home
Persons in Supported Employment.
commitment
resonated in the
voice of Deb Seman,
Over the years, The Arc has evolved
into a multi-faceted organization
with programs that assist the disabled and their families from birth to
their elderly years. Unfortunately, the
First Steps program, which benefited
children beyond their infant years,
had to be dropped due to government
funding cutbacks and this has left a
void in services for this age group. This
has adversly affected families like the
Landgraffs (featured on our cover) and
many others in our community that
could benefit from this program.
Deb concluded by stating, “The
Arc is often referred to as the best
kept secret.” She doesn’t want the
organization to be a secret. The agency
is proud of whom they represent and
all that they bring to the community.
They want to share the good news with
everyone! Deb ends all her written correspondance with, “Achieve with Us.”
The Arc needs you!
Ryan Eaton inputs employee time card data for the Sheltered Workshop.
The Hometown Treasure · August ‘13 · pg 15