HR 98

HR98 190228-1 By Representatives McCutcheon, Hall, Williams (P), Ball, Sanderford, Whorton (R) and Daniels RFD: First Read: 23-JAN-18 190228-1:n:01/22/2018:JEC/jec LSA2018-406 HONORING THE ARC OF MADISON COUNTY FOR EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND ON BEING SELECTED AS ONE OF 10 PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN A NATIONAL PROVIDER TRANSFORMATION NETWORK PROJECT. WHEREAS, it is a tremendous privilege to honor the Arc of Madison County for exceptional service and on the outstanding achievement of being selected as one of 10 programs nationwide to participate in a National Provider Transformation Network Project; and WHEREAS, established in 1952, the Arc of Madison County is an advocacy program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that serves over nfants and toddlers with developmental disabilities through its Early Intervention Program, provides school transition services for over 140 youth in the Huntsville City, Madison City, and Madison County Schools, operates a Project Search Internship Program in coordination with the Huntsville City Schools and Huntsville Hospital to equip students with disabilities with job skills and job coaching and community job placement, provides 365-day residential care for over 20 adults with disabilities, serves over 200 adults in day programs that offer a multitude of services, operates a career center that provides job development, job coaching, benefit counseling, and career assessment for individuals with disabilities; and operate several small businesses that employ individuals with disabilities and provide services to over 300 customers including companies such as PPG, Dynetics, and Torch Technologies in the Madison County Area; and WHEREAS, as one of 10 programs nationwide participating in a National Provider Transformation Project, a project of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts in Boston in conjunction with the Arc of the United States, the Arc of Madison County will receive technical support to advance their magnanimous efforts in offering integrated employment; and WHEREAS, notably, the Arc of Madison County serves over 400 individuals with disabilities each year and has earned numerous accolades including selection as the 2017 AL-APSE (Association for Persons Supporting Employment First) Agency of the Year, the 2015 Alabama Developmental Disability Agency of Distinction Award, the 2015 Regions National "What a Difference" Campaign Award, and the 2004 Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Non-Profit of the Year Award; furthermore, the Arc of Madison County has the utmost distinction of being selected as one of the first pilot programs for the Department of Mental Health's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) grant as a result of their success in employing individuals with disabilities; and WHEREAS, through the years, the Arc of Madison County has earned widespread admiration and respect for its tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence in advancing the needs of individuals with disabilities and is truly deserving of the significant honor bestowed upon it; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, That the Arc of Madison County is highly honored and commended, and this resolution is offered in heartiest congratulations, as well as in deepest admiration and appreciation for its immeasurable service and sincere best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.