The Arc Otsego Awarded $60,000 in Grants from NYSARC Trust Services
To support guardianship* and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities in Otsego County
Oneonta, NY – June 19, 2020 – The Arc Otsego, a not-for-profit organization supporting people with disabilities in Otsego County, has been awarded $60,000 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support The Arc Otsego’s guardianship* and recreation programs.
NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts (SNT) and pooled trusts that can make dramatic improvements to the lives of people with disabilities by enabling individuals to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs. For 2020, NYSARC Trust Services is proud to fulfill its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding a total of $2,636,000 in grants to The Arc New York Chapters statewide.
This year, The Arc Otsego received $48,000 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate. Supported by Chapter staff and community volunteers, the Arc Otsego’s Guardianship Program currently provides guardianship supports and services to nine people and is ready to assist two more as a Standby or Alternate Standby guardian.
NYSARC Trust Services also awarded The Arc Otsego $12,000 to support new recreational opportunities and enrich the lives of the more than 500 individuals it serves. The Arc Otsego plans to use the recreation grant funds to support the venue, deejay and refreshments for its four annual dances (Valentine’s, Spring Fling, Halloween and Holiday Party), which are open to the public and average more than 150 attendees per dance. The grant is also used to fund the band Flame to play at The Arc Otsego’s Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet, as well as the agency’s Fit & Fun Grant program, through which individuals receiving at least one service from the agency may apply for up to $250 for “fit and fun” events and activities. Eligible activities include day trips, gym memberships, overnight camping trips and attendance to sporting events and theme parks. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until September 25, 2020. For more information about The Arc Otsego’s Fit and Fun grant program, visit www.arcotsego.org.
NYSARC Trust Services has administered supplemental needs trusts since 1972, helping thousands of people with disabilities protect their eligibility for government benefits and improve their quality of life. Our trust programs give people with disabilities the opportunity to maintain comfort and independence in the community while providing peace of mind to their family and loved ones. NYSARC Trust Services provides administration of pooled supplemental needs trusts to help families plan for the future of a loved one with a disability, preserve income and assets for Medicaid planning purposes and long-term care needs, and protect unexpected windfalls of money. NYSARC also administers Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) accounts for people who use a pooled trust to protect settlement proceeds. For more information, please call (518) 439-8323 or visit us online www.nysarctrustservices.org