Mission | Vision | Values | History
The Arc Otsego provides supports, services and advocacy to assist individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to live rich, fulfilling lives.
The Arc Otsego is one of 35 local Chapters of The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York state. In addition to the programs The Arc Otsego offers in Otsego County, Chapters of The Arc New York collectively support more than 60,000 people with disabilities and their families in every county of the state, and employ more than 30,000 people in our shared mission to provide people with intellectual, developmental and other disabilities the ordinary and extraordinary opportunities of life.
As part of this larger statewide organization, The Arc Otsego is able to draw on a rich network of expertise and statewide resources to ensure the highest quality services for the people we serve, and to raise the unified voices our Chapter communities and nearly 100,000 members statewide to strengthen our advocacy efforts.
Founded by families more than 75 years ago, The Arc New York has driven transformation and progress in the lives of people with disabilities, fought and ended the abuses of institutionalization, and developed a robust system of community support that provides opportunity, dignity, and integration for people with disabilities. Together with The Arc Otsego and other Chapters across the state, The Arc New York continues to be an influential advocate for our system of care, and the rights and opportunities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Our Vision
Our vision is that all people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities will be afforded the same rights and opportunities as all citizens and will be accepted by and enjoy participation in the full spectrum of community life.
Our Values
We affirm the rights and dignity of all people and believe that each individual, through his or her unique abilities, makes a valuable contribution to the community in which he or she lives. We are committed to the use of sound and ethical business practices.
Our History
A group of dedicated and caring parents, relatives, friends and concerned professionals, formed the Otsego County Chapter of the New York State Association for Retarded Children on May 10, 1965. The group served primarily as a support organization until 1974 when The Arc Otsego opened a sheltered employment facility. Soon after, day services became available at the Hartwick Day Treatment facility. With the founding of our first residential intermediate care facility, The Arc Otsego become a 24/7 operation. in 1989, the agency built Oneonta Day Services and expanded day services to include more individuals with physical disabilities. In 1993, The Arc Otsego enrolled in the NYS Home and Community-Based Waiver and began offering more services to families in their own homes. Today, the agency offers comprehensive, community-based services, supports and programs to over 500 individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families throughout Otsego County.
Governance
As a chapter of The Arc New York, The Arc Otsego is governed by a local Board of Directors who have the responsibility for overseeing the programs and services by our Chapter. The Board sets policies and provides the agency administration with direction in meeting the service needs of our county. In keeping with the important role that families played in our founding, our bylaws require that at least 1/3 of our Board members must be related to an individual with an intellectual or other developmental disability.