2. Mission Statement
For people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and their families, the St. Louis Arc is the
most relationship-focused social services organization
that empowers people to live a better life through
people, programs, community engagement and resource
management. Through respect, collaboration, and
empowerment, we see a day when all people are fully
accepted and valued by the community for their unique
gifts and contributions.
Practice model: Community-development practice model
Theory: Systems theory
Perspective: Strength-perspective & Empowerment-perspective
3. • Family & PWIDD
• Knowledgeable
staff
Relationship
focused
• Build Self-
determination
• Innovative (EBP)
programs
Build self-
autonomy • Fully valued in
larger community
• Speaking with
their own voice
Change
agents
Arc’s Theory of Change
If a theory of change can be described as the organization’s set of assumptions & beliefs
about how it can bring about the desired change, that is reflected in their vision.
Vision: We see a day when all people are fully accepted and valued by the community for
their unique gifts & contributions (strength-based model).
Practice model: Community-development practice model
Theory: Systems theory
Perspective: Strength-perspective & Empowerment-perspective
4. Our Work
Because our agency has 22+ departments spanning through all
phases of life, it is difficult to pinpoint a single theory of change.
The Arc doesn’t use theory of change as much as it does logic
models. Every department is required to have a logic model.
Outcome measurements are then created based on the logic
models.
Practice model: Community-development practice model
Theory: Systems theory
Perspective: Strength-perspective & Empowerment-perspective
5. Examples from the field – Practice Model
Practice model: an approach to practice that involves basic value
assumptions about best practice.
Community Development (asset based) practice model is rooted in
identifying personal strengths & skills, creating informal networks
(build community) for cooperative, relationship-based change.
Examples: Social Justice Committees, having self-advocates on
decision-making committees, Family Support Network bringing in
evidence-based training classes for parents
Practice model: Community-development practice model
Theory: Systems theory
Perspective: Strength-perspective & Empowerment-perspective
6. Examples from the field – Systems theory
Systems theory for community practice: “any change in
any subsystem affects the whole community as well as the
component piece” and vice versa.
Examples: Every direct-service employee is to have
self-determination “train the trainer” training so they
can incorporate those skills into their interactions with
the people they serve.
Example: Every department is to have a logic model
and have measurable outcomes based on their logic
models.
7. Examples from the field – Strength &
Empowerment perspectives
Strength perspective (marginalized groups/individuals are the
best expert on their own life) & Empowerment perspective
(individual is empowered when they are involved in the
decision-making process):
Example: Outcome interviews are based on national Best
Practice standards of full empowerment for people with
intellectual disabilities.
Example: The Arc advantage: “this is our identity: it guides
our decision making & ensures we will continually earn our
reputation as the most relationship-focused social services
organization.
