Friday, February 9, 2012 —
This Friday, Dr. Peggy Terhune, chief executive officer of Monarch, an affiliate chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States, will join dozens of Arc leaders nationwide during a White House Community Leaders Briefing.
The nonprofit organization provides support to thousands of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse challenges.
Based in Albemarle, Monarch is a quality statewide service provider with facilities and programs in the Piedmont, Sandhills, Triad, east of Asheville, and in the state’s Coastal Region.
This day-long event, held on Feb. 10, in the nation’s capitol is specifically for The Arc’s network, and comes just weeks before Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, which is observed in March and will be marked with efforts across the country to raise awareness of issues facing people with disabilities.
The high-level briefing will allow White House and administration officials to discuss with their invited guests topics ranging from Medicaid to education to community living and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). This will provide Arc leaders, including people with I/DD, an opportunity to ask questions and engage with top officials questions.
“I am elated to be part of this very important and unique opportunity to speak directly to our nation’s leaders who are in positions to help positively impact policy that could make tremendous improvements for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” said Terhune, who has served on numerous national I/DD advocacy committees.
“We are grateful to have a president and administration who understands the importance of raising awareness and support for people who are often left without a voice.”
Terhune and other invited guests will hear from senior White House officials including Jon Carson, the director of the Office of Public Engagement.
There will be a series of policy breakout sessions that will allow more detailed discussions so White House and administration officials hear from leaders of The Arc about how government policies affect the lives of people with I/DD and impact their ability to live full, independent lives.
Arc leaders also hope to make the voices of the millions of people with I/DD heard at the White House and gather information they can take back to help individuals in their communities utilize current federal government programs.
The Arc advocates for and serves people with I/DD, including Down syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of more than 700 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes, without regard to diagnosis.
Monarch is nationally accredited by The Council on Quality and Leadership and is CABHA certified. An affiliate chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States, Monarch provides support statewide to thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse challenges.
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Dr. Peggy Terhune
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Monarch CEO receives invite to the White House to advocate for people with disabilities
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