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"Being an advocate means recognizing that you and your loved ones are healthcare consumers and, as such, are owed good quality care, respect, and responsiveness. Being an advocate means recognizing that the squeaky wheel is often the only one that gets attention in a busy system. Being an advocate means fighting for what you believe is right-whether that is an extra day in the hospital or a timely report on a new set of tests. It's getting your boss to understand that you need some time off, but that you have a plan in place for meeting your responsibilities to the company. Being an advocate is also about getting at least one other family member to recognize that now and then you are going to need a break and they are going to have to chip in with hands-on care.

The dictionary defines "advocate" as both a noun and a verb. As a verb, it means "pleading on behalf of something or someone." A suggested synonym is the word "support." Using that definition, you may have long been an advocate without even realizing it."

taken from Advocating for Your Family
Standing Up for ALL Caregiving Families

By Suzanne Mintz

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advocacy resources

Information & Referral:  Assisting individuals and families in obtaining or using services, The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley provides information and referrals to appropriate organizations or agencies.

Quality AssuranceThe Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley monitors the quality of services through participation in the development of legislation and regulations, serving on Human Rights Committees, serving on community and state-wide boards of agencies, and participating in planning efforts for services. 

The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley works for systems change by involving staff and volunteers to identify needs for change and work to enact these changes. 


There are numerous resources that are available to individuals with disabilities, their families, support staff, educators and the public.  The key is finding the right one for your specific needs.  

On the left of the page is a menu of available resources.  Each resource is accompanied by a brief description and contact information.  Fees, hours of operations and web information are also listed if the information was available.  

If you know of a group, organization or web site that our visitors would find useful, please contact us.  If you find that any of the information provided is incorrect, please let us know.  We want to provide the most complete and current information possible.  

Please note that the resources provided are not supported or affiliated with The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley unless otherwise indicated.  


The Family Resource Guide is a guide to supports & services for families raising children with intellectual, cognitive, and related developmental disabilities.

To view the resource guide click the link below:

Family Resource Guide

In order to view the resource guide you will need to have a program called Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.  If you do not have this program or unsure if you do you can download it by clicking this link:

Adobe Acrobat Reader


 

 

 

 

 

© The Arc of the Mid Ohio Valley 2006
521 Market Street, #17    § Dils Center  Parkersburg, WV  26101    § 304-422-3151 phone    § 304-865-2072 fax