The Arc, Upper Valley

06/23/2026

06/22/2026

💙 We heard your requests and are continuing to offer our Walking Beside You Caregiver Support Group. Join us tomorrow night to connect with other caregivers, share experiences, and find support, resources, and encouragement. 🤝

🔗 Follow the link to RSVP. https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UR8v9CBUTmuPuwOg47qvBg

We hope to see you there! 😊

06/19/2026

Meet our new friend, Tiny L.E.A.P. Frog! 🐸

L.E.A.P. stands for Living Empowered Through Advocacy and Possibility.

We introduced Tiny L.E.A.P. Frog at a community wellness event yesterday, where these little frogs helped spread messages of encouragement, self-advocacy, inclusion, and belonging.

Sometimes a tiny reminder can make a big difference. That's what Tiny L.E.A.P. Frog is all about:

✔ Your voice matters.
✔ You belong.
✔ You deserve to be heard, respected, and included.

Check out Tiny L.E.A.P. Frog's affirmation below and remember to keep leaping forward. 💚

06/19/2026

The Office of Legal Counsel opinion released Thursday said states aren't required by law to integrate mentally disabled patients with their peers by providing community or home-based care.

06/18/2026

LEAP into summer with The Arc Upper Valley. 🐸 We hope to see you at the LIVEGrand: Health and Wellness Expo in Downtown Grand Forks today!

06/16/2026

From The Arc of the United States

"Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced plans to move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Arc of the United States warns that the move disregards federal law placing the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in the Department of Education and would make it harder for students with disabilities to access services, resolve discrimination, and hold states accountable under IDEA, the 50-year-old law that guarantees a free appropriate public education tailored to each child’s unique needs."

Follow this link to read the entire blog about this development:

The Arc warns that moving special education and civil rights offices out of the Department of Education could weaken protections for students with disabilities.

06/15/2026

Teen Night Out will be held this Thursday at 5:30 pm at Chester Fritz Library at UND. It sounds like it will be a lot of fun!! The flyer and a parking map can be found below. ⬇️

06/10/2026

☀️ SUMMER SELF-CARE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ☀️

Summer can bring exciting opportunities for fun and connection, but it can also create additional stress as routines change and schedules become busier.

Self-care does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. Sometimes it looks like taking a short walk, sitting outside for a few quiet moments, asking for help, or simply giving yourself permission to rest. Small moments of rest and connection can make a meaningful difference.

This summer, we encourage parents and caregivers to remember that taking care of yourself is an important part of caring for others.

We recently shared a blog post with practical and realistic self-care ideas for parents and caregivers, including ways to reduce stress, simplify routines, and reconnect with activities that bring joy and balance.

➡️ Read the full blog here: https://www.thearcuppervalley.org/post/finding-moments-to-recharge-summer-self-care-for-parents-and-caregivers

➡️ Read our newsletter and sign up here: https://mailchi.mp/arcuv/stay-connected-with-the-arc-4877524

06/10/2026

Statement from Kirsten Dvorak, Executive Director, The Arc of North Dakota What Is HappeningEffective June 5, 2026, North Dakota Health and Human Services launched a two-year Medicaid Provider Revalidation Strategy. This was developed in response to a federal request from the Centers for Medicare an...

06/08/2026

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin a webinar series for retailers focused on North Dakota’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Healthy Choice Waiver beginning on Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. CT. The SNAP Healthy Choice Waiver addresses public health challenges across the state by improving the nutritional well-being of SNAP participants. By helping people choose healthier foods, the waiver reduces the risk of long-term health problems and contributes to healthier, thriving communities.

Read the full press release:

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin a webinar series for retailers focused on North Dakota’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Healthy Choice Waiver on Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. CT. Webinars will be held on the second Thursday at 2 p.m. CT and fourth Tuesday at...