Stronger Together: Professional associations work toward common goals

Professional associations offer an important opportunity for organizations and individuals in the same field of work to collaborate, educate, and problem-solve to better themselves and their professions. They often maintain professional standards and ethics, and represent the profession in discussion with other bodies, such as the legislature. Some professional associations operate on a national level, others on a state or local level.

Arcare is dedicated to providing individualized plans and services to individuals and families whose lives are affected by disability. With ever-evolving regulations for Trustees, Representatives Payees, and even Guardians, Arcare utilizes its membership in professional associations to stay informed of potential changes and find innovative solutions to new obstacles that may arise for a family. Arcare is a member of several valuable associations:

The National PLAN Alliance (NPA)
NPA provides invaluable resources, guidebooks and conferences, and it promotes efficiency in PLAN programs that strive to meet the planning needs of families whose lives are affected by disability. NPA hosts an annual conference attended by affiliate PLAN programs from all over the United States. In addition, NPA provides vital support services to new and existing programs, such as program and board development, fundraising, marketing and strategic planning assistance.

The National Guardianship Association (NGA)
NGA leads the way to excellence in guardianship by establishing and promoting nationally recognized standards for guardians, encouraging the highest levels of integrity and competence through guardianship education and protecting the interests of both guardians and people in their care. NGA encourages all guardians to be certified through the Center for Guardianship Certification and provides study support in the form of review course webinars and study guide publications.

Interhab
Interhab is a Kansas association that provides Arcare the opportunity to help shape the form and direction of developmental disability policy in Kansas, as well as collaborate and learn with other disability support professionals across the state. Interhab has worked for more than 50 years to improve the lives of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and it espouses that community services, employment and hosing should be available to all Kansans, regardless of race, national origin, religion, gender, age or disability. Interhab provides valuable membership resources and tools, including numerous committees, workgroups and task forces for issues specific to the disability community in Kansas.

As an active member of these professional associations, Arcare leverages additional resources of national and statewide organizations, identifies additional resources that may still be needed in our communities and helps create new resources to meet the ever-changing needs of families and clients. By working together toward our commonly shared goals of advocacy, professional development and education, and striving for excellence in service, we can continue making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals and families we serve.