Earlier today, our Executive Director spoke to attendees at a Partners in Policymaking training about Future Planning. You may be wondering what future planning is and why it is so important. View the entire PowerPoint presentation. Planning ahead can help guide a person with a disability to lead a good life as independently as possible. A plan is important throughout all stages of life and especially in the future after the parent or caregiver is no longer able to provide su

This season, we are thankful for YOU - for your advocacy, your support, and your belief in a community where everyone belongs.   We are especially grateful for our COMMUNITY PARTNERS  - organizations, agencies, families, volunteers, supporters, and champions - who walk alongside us throughout the year. Your collaboration strengthens our work, expands opportunities for people with disabilities, and helps build a more inclusive community. Together, we make meaningful progress,

An ABLE account is a savings and/or investment option for people with disabilities who qualify. Living with a disability is expensive. These accounts allow individuals to save and invest money for disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for many federally funded benefits. Individuals are eligible to open an ABLE account if their disability began before age 26* and they meet the required severity of disability in one of two ways: they are receiving Supplemental

If you are struggling to buy food for yourself or your family, food pantries are great places to help supplement your meals and connect you with caring neighbors and community resources. Before visiting, it’s best to call ahead—each pantry has its own hours and eligibility requirements. When you go, be prepared to bring: A photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID) Proof of address (like a utility bill or lease) Proof of income or assistance benefits (for example, SNAP

In light of recent events at the U.S. Department of Education and actions that threaten the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the rights of more than 8 million children with disabilities, The Arc Upper Valley proudly joined disability allies, advocates, parents, and educators from across the state and country for a grassroots virtual Town Hall on November 4, 2025. Together, we discussed ways to use our collective voice to urge the Administration and Congress to sup

This year, we had the privilege to partner with North Dakota State Council on Developmental Disabilities to offer Sibshops to children who have siblings with disabilities. Sibshops are high energy recreational events where children can learn, find peer support, and have fun. The Sibling Support Project describes Sibshops as follows: For the adults who run them and for the agencies that sponsor them, Sibshops are evidence of their loving concern for the family member who

Communication is the foundation of human connection, and it is the heartbeat of advocacy. It allows us to share ideas, express emotions, build relationships, solve problems, and create meaningful change. At The Arc Upper Valley, communication is essential to everything we do as we advocate for you and with you. To strengthen the way we stay connected, we have made intentional updates to the tools we use. One of the most significant changes is our transition to a new email pla

"Cuts to Medicaid will negatively impact people with IDD and their families. But they will also impact developmental disability (DD) providers, their employees, and the community." Read the full article here. This viewpoint article, Medicaid Funding is a Lifeline for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities was originally published in the Grand Forks Herald on March 12, 2025.

"Over the past seven weeks, the president has signed dozens of executive orders, including orders that could cut federal funding that nonprofits rely upon to provide countless services to the community."  Read the full article here . This viewpoint article, Federal Cuts to Nonprofits will Hurt Our State and Community , was originally published in the Grand Forks Herald on March 14, 2025. It was written by Cynthia Shabb, Executive Director of Global Friends Coalition in colla

Written by Andrea Johnson, Graduate Student Intern Before students in the Grand Forks Public Schools’ Adult Transition Program went back to school this fall, they spent the summer learning about the world of work at The Arc Thrift Store. Alex and Casey, who chose to remain anonymous and use pseudonyms, worked Monday through Thursday. The experience allowed them to learn about being employed and to try out different jobs and job tasks, helping them find out what they like and