The Arc of San Angelo

Grantee Information

The Arc of San Angelo
P. O. Box 1922
San Angelo, TX  76902
325-657-0308
The Arc of San Angelo webpage

Project Director:  Lettitia McPherson

Project Period

April 1, 2011 – April 30, 2014

Project Description

The Arc of San Angelo will establish a pilot program to develop a trained pool of volunteers willing to support individuals with intellectual, developmental and other cognitive disabilities in making decisions about their own lives as an alternative to guardianship. The project will start in Tom Green County the first year, expand into Concho and Irion counties the second year, and Menard and McCulloch counties in the final year. Volunteers will be trained on disability issues and decision making, matched with individuals with disabilities based on shared interests and will be supported in their efforts. Training will include problem-solving scenarios, what constitutes informed consent, the risks of establishing an unnecessary guardianship, and the differences in Substituted Judgment and Best Interest vs. Supported Decision-making. TCDD partnered with the Department of Aging and Disability Services to create this pilot program, under a bill passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009. DADS convened a workgroup to develop the general rules and overall structure of the program, and the agency will oversee evaluation of the pilot and make recommendations to the legislature about using supported decision-making advocates as an alternative to guardianship.