Arc of Acadiana News & Insights
Welcome to Our Blog
From the latest news and events to in-depth program insights, we deliver information on a variety of topics to keep you updated on everything happening at Arc of Acadiana.
Why Membership Matters: Join Us in Making a Difference
At Arc of Acadiana, we are driven by a profound mission: to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, and veterans. Every day, we strive to create a community where everyone is valued, empowered, and given the...
A Day in the Life of a Direct Support Professional
Imagine being able to live your best life by helping someone else to live their best life. That’s exactly what direct support professionals do every single day. They help people with disabilities live life to its fullest. It’s a career that is rooted in purpose yet...
How to Make a Local Impact This Holiday Season
Giving has always been a big part of the holiday season. We spend time thinking about what to give family members, close friends and coworkers. But the holidays are also a great time to consider helping the nonprofit organizations in your backyard—many of which share...
7 Key Benefits of Group Homes for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities can affect a person’s physical well-being or capabilities, their ability to learn, their ability to communicate and their behavior. Because these issues affect people throughout their entire lifetime, having an understanding, supportive,...
A Guide to Donating Clothes Responsibly
When every hanger is occupied and closets are overflowing, the idea of simply donating the surplus to charity is an appealing solution. Giving to others makes us feel good, and donating clothes is often a quick, no-questions-asked way of ridding ourselves of garments...
10 Qualities of a Great Volunteer
Volunteers are critical to many organizations and their ability to fulfill their mission. They bring extra sets of hands to understaffed nonprofits that can make the seemingly impossible become an amazing reality. In turn, volunteers gain invaluable experience,...
4 Rewarding Disability Services Jobs
Most of us want to know that the jobs w#e hold are making a difference in the world. That is the exact purpose of disability services jobs—providing vital services that help people who need them gain or maintain their independence. People who work in disability...
10 Considerations When Looking for an In-home Care Provider
Finding the person who you can trust to come into your home and care for someone you love can feel like an overwhelming task. Just the thought of it comes with a mixed bundle of hopes, expectations and emotions. You know that you need help—and that your family member...
9 Things To Look for in a Disabilities Day Program
You want to provide your adult child or family member with the best life possible. For most of us, that means a life full of activities that we enjoy, assorted friends, social interaction, a sense of purpose and positive learning experiences that together build...
15 Employment Ideas for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
“Everyone needs something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.” — Alexander Chalmers The quote has been attributed to any number of individuals, but it’s true for all of us. The first factor—something to do—is key to a person’s self-esteem and...
Teaching Life Skills in Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Children with developmental disabilities eventually mature into adults. While having others do things for them was necessary while they were small, adults with developmental disabilities need a greater level of self-sufficiency to be happy. They need to be able to...
4 Reasons to Choose a Nonprofit for Your Next Nursing Adventure
Licensed practical nurses find rewarding work in any number of industries—from large hospital or clinical settings to corporate offices that maintain healthcare staffing. While many of these organizations are for-profit entities focused primarily on making money, many...
What is a Direct Support Professional?
What is a Direct Support Professional? Put quite simply, the best direct support professionals give the gifts of self-sufficiency and independence to people who really need help gaining them. Often referred to as DSPs, direct...
Meet Program Manager: Chelsea Guidry
Meet Chelsea Guidry, Arc of Acadiana’s Waiver Program Manager for Vermilion Parish. Chelsea manages the Day Program operations while simultaneously growing and supervising Arc’s Supported Living/In-Home service programs in Vermilion Parish. ...
Arc of Acadiana’s Day Programs are Open!
Arc of Acadiana's Day Programs meet the social, recreational, and employment readiness needs within our I/DD community. We have missed being closed due to COVID-19 and the pandemic. We are looking forward to continuing our mission and enhancing the lives of...
What programs are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services?
There are two programs that are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services (OAAS). These two programs are Long Term Personal Care and Community Choice Waiver. We will cover what Long Term Personal Care Services and Community Choice...
Arc of Acadiana Employee Spotlight: ‘Coach’
We want to shine a light on one of our employees: Robert Pinckney. You may also know him as just 'Coach'! Employed since early 2007, read on to learn more about Robert Pinckney, what makes him special and why he enjoys being a part of Arc of Acadiana team as a Direct...
Customer Spotlight: Opelousas Store
We love our customers! Our teams, stores, workers and customers develop a strong bond ever the years as customers continue to shop at Arc of Acadiana Resale stores. Read on to find out what our customer Judy Lewis has to say about her experience...
What is Supported Living Program?
Have questions about the Arc of Acadiana's Individual and Family Supports and our Supported Living Program? Read on to find out what Supportive living is and how it can help you or a loved one. 1. A place to grow Through our Supported Living program, individuals are...
Customer Spotlight: Eunice Resale Store
At Arc of Acadiana, our customers are invaluable. We appreciate the customers who come in weekly to shop our sales and support their community. Read on to find out what our customer Francine Butts has to say about her experience with shopping at Arc of Acadiana...
Why Membership Matters: Join Us in Making a Difference
At Arc of Acadiana, we are driven by a profound mission: to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, and veterans. Every day, we strive to create a community where everyone is valued, empowered, and given the...
A Day in the Life of a Direct Support Professional
Imagine being able to live your best life by helping someone else to live their best life. That’s exactly what direct support professionals do every single day. They help people with disabilities live life to its fullest. It’s a career that is rooted in purpose yet...
How to Make a Local Impact This Holiday Season
Giving has always been a big part of the holiday season. We spend time thinking about what to give family members, close friends and coworkers. But the holidays are also a great time to consider helping the nonprofit organizations in your backyard—many of which share...
7 Key Benefits of Group Homes for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities can affect a person’s physical well-being or capabilities, their ability to learn, their ability to communicate and their behavior. Because these issues affect people throughout their entire lifetime, having an understanding, supportive,...
A Guide to Donating Clothes Responsibly
When every hanger is occupied and closets are overflowing, the idea of simply donating the surplus to charity is an appealing solution. Giving to others makes us feel good, and donating clothes is often a quick, no-questions-asked way of ridding ourselves of garments...
10 Qualities of a Great Volunteer
Volunteers are critical to many organizations and their ability to fulfill their mission. They bring extra sets of hands to understaffed nonprofits that can make the seemingly impossible become an amazing reality. In turn, volunteers gain invaluable experience,...
4 Rewarding Disability Services Jobs
Most of us want to know that the jobs w#e hold are making a difference in the world. That is the exact purpose of disability services jobs—providing vital services that help people who need them gain or maintain their independence. People who work in disability...
10 Considerations When Looking for an In-home Care Provider
Finding the person who you can trust to come into your home and care for someone you love can feel like an overwhelming task. Just the thought of it comes with a mixed bundle of hopes, expectations and emotions. You know that you need help—and that your family member...
9 Things To Look for in a Disabilities Day Program
You want to provide your adult child or family member with the best life possible. For most of us, that means a life full of activities that we enjoy, assorted friends, social interaction, a sense of purpose and positive learning experiences that together build...
15 Employment Ideas for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
“Everyone needs something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.” — Alexander Chalmers The quote has been attributed to any number of individuals, but it’s true for all of us. The first factor—something to do—is key to a person’s self-esteem and...
Teaching Life Skills in Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Children with developmental disabilities eventually mature into adults. While having others do things for them was necessary while they were small, adults with developmental disabilities need a greater level of self-sufficiency to be happy. They need to be able to...
4 Reasons to Choose a Nonprofit for Your Next Nursing Adventure
Licensed practical nurses find rewarding work in any number of industries—from large hospital or clinical settings to corporate offices that maintain healthcare staffing. While many of these organizations are for-profit entities focused primarily on making money, many...
What is a Direct Support Professional?
What is a Direct Support Professional? Put quite simply, the best direct support professionals give the gifts of self-sufficiency and independence to people who really need help gaining them. Often referred to as DSPs, direct...
Meet Program Manager: Chelsea Guidry
Meet Chelsea Guidry, Arc of Acadiana’s Waiver Program Manager for Vermilion Parish. Chelsea manages the Day Program operations while simultaneously growing and supervising Arc’s Supported Living/In-Home service programs in Vermilion Parish. ...
Arc of Acadiana’s Day Programs are Open!
Arc of Acadiana's Day Programs meet the social, recreational, and employment readiness needs within our I/DD community. We have missed being closed due to COVID-19 and the pandemic. We are looking forward to continuing our mission and enhancing the lives of...
What programs are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services?
There are two programs that are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services (OAAS). These two programs are Long Term Personal Care and Community Choice Waiver. We will cover what Long Term Personal Care Services and Community Choice...
Arc of Acadiana Employee Spotlight: ‘Coach’
We want to shine a light on one of our employees: Robert Pinckney. You may also know him as just 'Coach'! Employed since early 2007, read on to learn more about Robert Pinckney, what makes him special and why he enjoys being a part of Arc of Acadiana team as a Direct...
Customer Spotlight: Opelousas Store
We love our customers! Our teams, stores, workers and customers develop a strong bond ever the years as customers continue to shop at Arc of Acadiana Resale stores. Read on to find out what our customer Judy Lewis has to say about her experience...
What is Supported Living Program?
Have questions about the Arc of Acadiana's Individual and Family Supports and our Supported Living Program? Read on to find out what Supportive living is and how it can help you or a loved one. 1. A place to grow Through our Supported Living program, individuals are...
Customer Spotlight: Eunice Resale Store
At Arc of Acadiana, our customers are invaluable. We appreciate the customers who come in weekly to shop our sales and support their community. Read on to find out what our customer Francine Butts has to say about her experience with shopping at Arc of Acadiana...
Why Membership Matters: Join Us in Making a Difference
At Arc of Acadiana, we are driven by a profound mission: to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, older adults, and veterans. Every day, we strive to create a community where everyone is valued, empowered, and given the...
A Day in the Life of a Direct Support Professional
Imagine being able to live your best life by helping someone else to live their best life. That’s exactly what direct support professionals do every single day. They help people with disabilities live life to its fullest. It’s a career that is rooted in purpose yet...
How to Make a Local Impact This Holiday Season
Giving has always been a big part of the holiday season. We spend time thinking about what to give family members, close friends and coworkers. But the holidays are also a great time to consider helping the nonprofit organizations in your backyard—many of which share...
7 Key Benefits of Group Homes for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities can affect a person’s physical well-being or capabilities, their ability to learn, their ability to communicate and their behavior. Because these issues affect people throughout their entire lifetime, having an understanding, supportive,...
A Guide to Donating Clothes Responsibly
When every hanger is occupied and closets are overflowing, the idea of simply donating the surplus to charity is an appealing solution. Giving to others makes us feel good, and donating clothes is often a quick, no-questions-asked way of ridding ourselves of garments...
10 Qualities of a Great Volunteer
Volunteers are critical to many organizations and their ability to fulfill their mission. They bring extra sets of hands to understaffed nonprofits that can make the seemingly impossible become an amazing reality. In turn, volunteers gain invaluable experience,...
4 Rewarding Disability Services Jobs
Most of us want to know that the jobs w#e hold are making a difference in the world. That is the exact purpose of disability services jobs—providing vital services that help people who need them gain or maintain their independence. People who work in disability...
10 Considerations When Looking for an In-home Care Provider
Finding the person who you can trust to come into your home and care for someone you love can feel like an overwhelming task. Just the thought of it comes with a mixed bundle of hopes, expectations and emotions. You know that you need help—and that your family member...
9 Things To Look for in a Disabilities Day Program
You want to provide your adult child or family member with the best life possible. For most of us, that means a life full of activities that we enjoy, assorted friends, social interaction, a sense of purpose and positive learning experiences that together build...
15 Employment Ideas for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
“Everyone needs something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.” — Alexander Chalmers The quote has been attributed to any number of individuals, but it’s true for all of us. The first factor—something to do—is key to a person’s self-esteem and...
Teaching Life Skills in Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Children with developmental disabilities eventually mature into adults. While having others do things for them was necessary while they were small, adults with developmental disabilities need a greater level of self-sufficiency to be happy. They need to be able to...
4 Reasons to Choose a Nonprofit for Your Next Nursing Adventure
Licensed practical nurses find rewarding work in any number of industries—from large hospital or clinical settings to corporate offices that maintain healthcare staffing. While many of these organizations are for-profit entities focused primarily on making money, many...
What is a Direct Support Professional?
What is a Direct Support Professional? Put quite simply, the best direct support professionals give the gifts of self-sufficiency and independence to people who really need help gaining them. Often referred to as DSPs, direct...
Meet Program Manager: Chelsea Guidry
Meet Chelsea Guidry, Arc of Acadiana’s Waiver Program Manager for Vermilion Parish. Chelsea manages the Day Program operations while simultaneously growing and supervising Arc’s Supported Living/In-Home service programs in Vermilion Parish. ...
Arc of Acadiana’s Day Programs are Open!
Arc of Acadiana's Day Programs meet the social, recreational, and employment readiness needs within our I/DD community. We have missed being closed due to COVID-19 and the pandemic. We are looking forward to continuing our mission and enhancing the lives of...
What programs are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services?
There are two programs that are offered under the Office of Aging Adult Services (OAAS). These two programs are Long Term Personal Care and Community Choice Waiver. We will cover what Long Term Personal Care Services and Community Choice...
Arc of Acadiana Employee Spotlight: ‘Coach’
We want to shine a light on one of our employees: Robert Pinckney. You may also know him as just 'Coach'! Employed since early 2007, read on to learn more about Robert Pinckney, what makes him special and why he enjoys being a part of Arc of Acadiana team as a Direct...
Customer Spotlight: Opelousas Store
We love our customers! Our teams, stores, workers and customers develop a strong bond ever the years as customers continue to shop at Arc of Acadiana Resale stores. Read on to find out what our customer Judy Lewis has to say about her experience...
What is Supported Living Program?
Have questions about the Arc of Acadiana's Individual and Family Supports and our Supported Living Program? Read on to find out what Supportive living is and how it can help you or a loved one. 1. A place to grow Through our Supported Living program, individuals are...
Customer Spotlight: Eunice Resale Store
At Arc of Acadiana, our customers are invaluable. We appreciate the customers who come in weekly to shop our sales and support their community. Read on to find out what our customer Francine Butts has to say about her experience with shopping at Arc of Acadiana...
