Spotlight on the News

The United Health Foundation https://www.unitedhealthgroup, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group, has awarded "The Arc of the United States" https://www.thearc.org, a three-year $25 million grant to improve mental healthcare for people with "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

Today, there are over 7 million people with IDD in the U.S, "The Arc of the United States" advocates for and serves people with IDDs including Down Syndrome, Autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, and other diagnoses.

Currently, only 1 in 10 children and adolescents with IDD and mental health disorders receive specialized services. This information highlights the need for training and awareness to ensure that providers and caregivers are equipped to support the mental health needs of people with disabilities.

The partnership will deploy $100,00 in direct grants to 10 chapter of The Arc of the United States nationwide to build comprehensive local solutions tailored to people with IDD. The funding is going to support expanding access to quality mental healthcare services, improving coordination between disability and health systems, provide training to over 2,000 providers and caregivers in order to be able to recognize mental health needs in people with IDD, and also launch public awareness campaigns to counteract stigma and misconceptions.

The 10 chapters receiving grant funding include: The Arc of Arizona, The Arc of Loudoun Va, The Arc of Macomb County (MI), The Arc of Mississippi, The Arch of Oklahoma, The Arc of Oregon, The Arc of Prince George's County (MD), The Arc of Rhode Island, St. Louis Arc (MO), and Sertoma Star Services (IL)

The funding will provide mental health resources directly to people with IDD through the participating chapters to help them recognize and be able to communicate and receive help for their own needs.