FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                       
April 9, 2010       

Contact: Marijo Rymer, Executive Director
The Arc of Colorado
303-864-9334 ofc
303-229-9499 cell
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The Arc of the United States Announces Sub-Grant Award to The Arc of Colorado  for
Transitioning Youth from School to Adult Life Funded by the Walmart Foundation

April 7, 2010, (Local area) – Thanks to a $3 million grant from the Walmart Foundation, The Arc of the United States (The Arc) is awarding grants to 45 local chapters of The Arc across the U.S. in support of a new initiative designed to help youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

These Sub-Grants are being awarded as part of the Walmart Foundation School-to-Community Transition Project.  The project aims to increase transition outcomes and to build inclusion and involvement of youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities in independent living, employment, post-secondary education or vocational training, and community, social and civic affairs.

The Arc of Colorado and eleven local chapters of The Arc throughout the state will use the grant to work with families of middle school age students to begin planning for adult life well before the formal transition planning process usually occurs.  Over a period of two years, Arc advocates will work with school district staff in various communities to assist them in meeting the goal of increase the percentage of youth with high quality transition goals.

Wendy Rosanova, President of the Board of The Arc of Colorado said, “For many families, the day-to-day demand of providing for a child with a developmental disability is all-consuming.  When students leave the special education services provided at school, many are not prepared for what awaits them as adults.   This grant will help families and schools work together so that young people are ready to find jobs, go on to other levels of education and join the community as productive citizens.   We can’t wait until the last years of high school to begin the process.”   

“The Walmart Foundation is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities and ensuring they have opportunities to live better,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Our recent grant to The Arc reinforces our commitment by supporting programs of The Arc across America.”

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The Arc of Colorado, an affiliate of The Arc of the United States, was incorporated in Colorado in 1954 as an advocacy and support organization for individuals with developmental disabilities.  Today, The Arc of Colorado, with support of local chapters, provides leadership for state and federal public policy development, encourages and establishes open and inclusive communication processes, initiates and supports efforts to increase public awareness of the rights and needs of persons with developmental disabilities, and provides support for local chapters.

For more information and a list of local chapters: www.thearcofco.org