Update on Chapter Collaboration

In the fall of 2019, discussions began between the Arc of Genesee Orleans and Arc of Livingston-Wyoming regarding a collaboration of services. The Boards and Senior Management staff met on a few occasions to begin discussions on shared services.

Early in 2020, the Boards agreed to pursue a more formal agreement and movement towards a merger. We notified The Arc New York and the local DDRO about our request and were seeking approval.

In March of 2020 when the pandemic struck, our efforts to complete the merger were paused. With so much uncertainty and concern about the health of people we serve and staff, the formal process took a back seat during most of 2020.

The Boards designated several members from both chapters to continue meeting as the merger “Steering Committee.” This team, along with key management staff, submitted revisions to our previous proposal to OPWDD to ensure that all stakeholders were satisfied.

After several months of meeting, negotiating, and work with The Arc New York, we received “conditional approval” for the Genesee Orleans and Livingston-Wyoming Chapters to merge. This is the first step to move more formally to a fully integrated organization.

Although this process may take several more months, the end product will be a 4-county wide organization. The new agency will use our consolidated resources to ensure quality services to all people with I/DD and their families from the GLOW region.

We look forward to providing a strong central administration that will support the unique opportunities in each county.

There is much more to do and learn and updates will be shared frequently.

Martin Miskell

Executive Director

Arc of Livingston-Wyoming