The Arc Mercer News

At The Arc Mercer, independence has never been defined by what people cannot do, but by what becomes possible when the right supports are in place. As the agency looks ahead to 2026, that philosophy is guiding an innovative and thoughtful exploration: a structured pet ownership model for the people it supports . Pet ownership is a common part of life throughout the broader community, yet within IDD services it is rarely addressed in a formal or intentional way. Arc Mercer is

Frontline staff at The Arc Mercer are more than the backbone of daily operations, they are essential partners in shaping the agency’s future. The TAC Ambassador Program  strengthens that partnership by elevating mission-critical staff, including Direct Support Professionals, Behavioral DSPs, Job Coaches, and Shift Managers, into leadership and strategic planning roles. Ambassadors serve as a bridge between staff and the Team Atmosphere Committee (TAC),  ensuring that frontlin

The Arc Mercer’s Team Atmosphere Committee (TAC) hosted its January 2026 Awards Luncheon on Friday, January 23, recognizing outstanding employees, celebrating personal growth, and honoring years of dedicated service across the agency.  The luncheon brought staff together to reflect on the meaningful contributions that strengthen Arc Mercer’s mission and workplace culture. Rising Star of the Month: Kevin Pearce  One of our residents, Kevin Pearce, was recognized as the Decembe

The Arc Mercer has begun to work on an innovative initiative that has the potential to redefine what independence can look like in IDD services: a thoughtfully designed pet ownership policy for the consumers the agency supports. Across the field, pet ownership is rarely addressed in a structured, intentional way. The Arc Mercer is taking a different approach, one that recognizes the powerful role animals can play in emotional well-being, motivation, routine-building, and pers

In 2026, The Arc Mercer will be working toward  a renewed focus on meaningful goal progression for the people the agency supports. While individualized goals are widely used across IDD services, there is currently no nationally accepted standard  that defines what quality goal progression should look like. As a result, goals can vary greatly across providers and systems. At The Arc Mercer, this gap presents an opportunity for thoughtful improvement. Rather than focusing only

This holiday season, the Arc Mercer’s Residential Department once again brought its Good Neighbor Program to through a heartfelt door-to-door holiday outreach led by residential staff and the individuals supported by the agency. Together, staff and consumers stepped into the neighborhoods surrounding Arc Mercer group homes to personally wish neighbors a happy holiday season. With poinsettias in hand, the group went door to door, sharing smiles, warm greetings, and small momen