About Us

Who We Are

The Arc of Northern Virginia

Founded in 1962, The Arc of Northern Virginia represents and serves more than 39,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with direct service programs, education, and advocacy. For more than six decades, The Arc of Northern Virginia has recognized the continuity of needs across the life span of people with IDD, and the changing supports needed by the families who support them.

 

The Arc of Northern Virginia believes that people with IDD – such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and a number of rare chromosomal disorders – are a vital part of the community and have fundamental moral, civil and constitutional rights to be fully included and actively participate in all aspects of society.

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Our Mission:

The Arc of Northern Virginia promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.

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Where We Are

The Arc of Northern Virginia is a local chapter of the largest national non-profit organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.

Our service area includes the Cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church; and Arlington and Fairfax Counties in Virginia. We are a small, grassroots, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a local volunteer board of directors. We receive some funding for the direct services we provide, but we are largely supported by membership dues and donations.

Programs & Services

Our Programs

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self advocate Frank Stevens speaks from behind a lecturn at a regional budget hearing.

Advocacy

At The Arc of Northern Virginia, we speak out on issues that affect large portions of our disability community. We engage in systems-level advocacy activities focused at the state and local level.

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DD Waiver Support Coordination

DD Waiver Support Coordination

The Arc of Northern Virginia is a Support Coordination contractor for several regional CSBs, to offer support coordination services to individuals who are actively receiving a Medicaid Waiver.

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Information & Referral

Information & Referral

You’ve got questions and we’ve got answers! The Arc of Northern Virginia’s Information and Referral program helps families navigate the complex and often confusing disability service system.

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Public Guardianship

Public Guardianship

The Arc of Northern Virginia has operated a public guardianship since 1995. We are one of 12 organizations that contract with the Virginia Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to provide this invaluable service.

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Special Needs Trust

Special Needs Trust

Our Special Needs Trust exists to assist people with disabilities and their families in saving money for the future without losing public benefits, like Medicaid and Social Security that have strict asset caps.

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Tech for Independent Living

Tech for Independent Living

Capitalizing on the capabilities of smart devices is a significant opportunity for supporting and building independence, and overcoming functional challenges, at all levels for individuals in their schools, jobs and communities.

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A young couple play with their toddler

Transition POINTS

Our umbrella program is called Transition POINTS, and provides people with disabilities, parents, siblings and other caregivers with the information they need to make decisions at key points across the lifespan.

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Board of Directors

seated photo of Michael Thomas, wearing a dark blue suit coat over a white shirt and a bowtie

Consultant

Michael Thomas

President

Consultant

head and shoulders photo of Patricia Connally

Attorney

Patricia Connally

1st Vice President

Attorney

head and soulders photo of Sunny Blanco

Commercial Services Officer,
United Bank

Sunny Blanco

2nd Vice President

Commercial Services Officer,
United Bank

Head and shoulders photo of Brian Creswick

Principal, Nancemond Holdings, LLC

Brian Creswick

Secretary

Principal, Nancemond Holdings, LLC

professional headshot of Peter Dressel

Senior Managing Director,
FTI Consulting

Peter Dressel

Treasurer

Senior Managing Director,
FTI Consulting

Head and shoulders photo of Mark Albert, wearing a blue dess shirt and yellow tie with dark pokadots

Retired

Mark Albert

Past President

Retired

head and shoulders photo of Sarah Armstrong

Founding Principal and Owner,
Studio 360

Sarah Armstrong

Board Member

Founding Principal and Owner,
Studio 360

Headshot of Evelyn Burke

Manager, Capital One

Evelyn Burke

Board Member

Manager, Capital One

head and shoulders photo of Katie Castellow in her home.

Self-advocate and restaurant employee, MOD Pizza

Katie Castellow

Board Member

Self-advocate and restaurant employee, MOD Pizza

Head and shoulders photo of Doug Church

Chairman, Foundation of The Arc of Northern Virginia

Doug Church

Board Member

Chairman, Foundation of The Arc of Northern Virginia

Head and shoulders photo of Sharon Cummings

President, SLC, Inc.

Sharon Cummings

Board Member

President, SLC, Inc.

Head and shoulders photo of Hannah Dannenfelser

Community Engagement Director, Leadership Center for Excelle

Hannah Dannenfelser

Board Member

Community Engagement Director, Leadership Center for Excelle

Head and shoulders photo of Mark Fowler

Retired

Mark Fowler

Board Member

Retired

Head and shoulders photo of Liz Gray

Attorney, McCandlish Lillard, P.C.

Liz Gray

Board Member

Attorney, McCandlish Lillard, P.C.

Head and shoulders photo of Lissy John

Solutions Associate Partner-Reimagining Economies, McKinsey

Lissy John

Board Member

Solutions Associate Partner-Reimagining Economies, McKinsey

Head and sholders photo of Donalda Jones

Vice President of Programs, Community Concepts and Community

Donalda Jones

Board Member

Vice President of Programs, Community Concepts and Community

Head and shoulders photo of Marisa Laios

Self-Advocate & Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation Volunteer

Marisa Laios

Board Member

Self-Advocate & Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation Volunteer

Headshot of Toby Latham

Senior Counsel, National Labor Relations Board

Toby Latham

Board Member

Senior Counsel, National Labor Relations Board

head and shoulders photo of board member Matt Leland

Investment Manager and Legal Counsel, Omni Bridgeway

Matt Leland

Board Member

Investment Manager and Legal Counsel, Omni Bridgeway

head and shoulders photo of Erin Schiffman

Attorney,
Vasseghi Budd PLLC

Erin Schiffman

Board Member

Attorney,
Vasseghi Budd PLLC

Our internal team is made up of a diverse group of professionals with a wide range of expertise in nonprofit management, advocacy, fund development, program development and evaluation, financial management, technology solutions, communications strategies, event management, and more. Together, we aim to provide responsive programs and services of the highest quality to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages and their families.

Our Staff

Administration

photo of Melissa Heifetz, leaning on a desk, resting her chin on her right hand

703.208.1119 ext. 106

mheifetz@thearcofnova.org
Melissa Heifetz Executive Director

703.208.1119 ext. 106

mheifetz@thearcofnova.org
Head and shoulders photo of Grace Rhodes

703.208.1119 ext. 101

grhodes@thearcofnova.org
Grace Rhodes Administrative Coordinator

703.208.1119 ext. 101

grhodes@thearcofnova.org

Advocacy

head and shoulders photo of Lucy Beadnell

703.208.1119 ext. 116

lbeadnell@thearcofnova.org
Lucy Beadnell Director of Advocacy

703.208.1119 ext. 116

lbeadnell@thearcofnova.org

Communications & Community Relations

head and shoulders photo of Rob Hudson

703.208.1119 ext. 120

rhudson@thearcofnova.org
Rob Hudson Community Relations Associate & Frank Trippett Advocacy & Outreach Fellow

703.208.1119 ext. 120

rhudson@thearcofnova.org

Development

head and shoulders photo of Howard Stregack

703.208.1119 ext. 123

hstregack@thearcofnova.org
Howard Stregack Director of Development

703.208.1119 ext. 123

hstregack@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Laura Allen. Laura is a white woman with shoulder length brown hair. She is wearing glasses and a blue blazer over a print blouse.

703-208-1119 ext. 124

lallen@thearcofnova.org
Laura Allen Special Events Manager

703-208-1119 ext. 124

lallen@thearcofnova.org
Head and shoulders photo of Alissa Zawicki

703.208.1119 ext. 125

azawicki@thearcofnova.org
Alyssa Zawicki Development Associate

703.208.1119 ext. 125

azawicki@thearcofnova.org

DD Wavier Support Coordination

headshot of Cheryl Johnson

703.208.1119 ext. 131

cjohnson@thearcofnova.org
Cheryl Johnson Director, Services

703.208.1119 ext. 131

cjohnson@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Lisa Fong

703.208.1119 ext. 128

lfong@thearcofnova.org
Lisa Fong Assistant Director, Services

703.208.1119 ext. 128

lfong@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Steven Brogan

703.208.1119 ext. 127

sbrogan@thearcofnova.org
Steven Brogan DD Waiver Support Coordinator

703.208.1119 ext. 127

sbrogan@thearcofnova.org
Head and shoulders photo of Melissa House

703.208.1119 ext. 129

mhouse@thearcofnova.org
Melissa House DD Waiver Support Coordinator

703.208.1119 ext. 129

mhouse@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Hillary Rodak

703.208.1119 ext. 132

hrodak@thearcofnova.org
Hillary Rodak DD Waiver Support Coordinator

703.208.1119 ext. 132

hrodak@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Erli Ross

703-208-1119 ext. 137

erli.ross@thearcofnova.org
Erli Ross DD Waiver Support Coordinator

703-208-1119 ext. 137

erli.ross@thearcofnova.org
Head and shoulders photo of Nicole Zupan

703.208.1119 ext. 133

nzupan@thearcofnova.org
Nicole Zupan DD Waiver Support Coordinator

703.208.1119 ext. 133

nzupan@thearcofnova.org

Programs

head and shoulders photo of Diane Monnig

703.208.1119 ext. 118

dmonnig@thearcofnova.org
Diane Monnig Director, Programs

703.208.1119 ext. 118

dmonnig@thearcofnova.org

Public Guardianship

Head and shoulders photo of Shannon Bond Young, posed in front of a red bric wall.

703-208-1119 ext. 122

sbond-young@thearcofnova.org
Shannon Bond-Young Program Director, Public Guardianship

703-208-1119 ext. 122

sbond-young@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Wendy Asmen. Wendy is a latina woman with long straight brown hair, and is wearing a flower print blouse. A well manicured green lawn appears in the background.

703-208-1119 ext. 121

wendy.asmen@thearcofnova.org
Wendy Asmen Public Guardian Representative

703-208-1119 ext. 121

wendy.asmen@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Lizbeth Labrecque

703.208.1119 ext. 126

llabrecque@thearcofnova.org
Lizbeth Labrecque Public Guardian Representative

703.208.1119 ext. 126

llabrecque@thearcofnova.org

Special Needs Trust

head and shoulders portrait of Ana Hughes. Ana is a white woman, with shoulder lenght brown hair, weaing a blue blouse with white poka dots.

703.208.1119 ext. 130

ahughes@thearcofnova.org
Ana Hughes Director of Trusts

703.208.1119 ext. 130

ahughes@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Reanna Weatherford

703.208.1119 ext. 136

rweatherford@thearcofnova.org
Reanna Weatherford Asst. Director, Special Needs Trust

703.208.1119 ext. 136

rweatherford@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Kevin Collins

703.208.1119 ext. 119

kcollins@thearcofnova.org
Kevin Collins Account Manager, Special Needs Trust

703.208.1119 ext. 119

kcollins@thearcofnova.org
Ashley Welch Consultant / Client Coordinator
head and shoulders photo of Allie Shelby

703.208.1119 ext. 134

ashelby@thearcofnova.org
Allie Shelby Account Coordinator, Special Needs Trust

703.208.1119 ext. 134

ashelby@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Fiona Wright

703.208.1119 ext. 135

fwright@thearcofnova.org
Fiona Wright Client Coordinator, Special Needs Trust

703.208.1119 ext. 135

fwright@thearcofnova.org

Tech for Independent Living

head and shoulders photo of Ashley Africa

703.208.1119 ext. 140

aafrica@thearcofnova.org
Ashley Africa-Osborne Community Outreach and Client Engagement Specialist, Tech for Independent Living

703.208.1119 ext. 140

aafrica@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Ashley Schalick

703.208.1119 ext. 117

aschalick@thearcofnova.org
Ashley Schalick Senior Program Specialist, Tech for Independent Living

703.208.1119 ext. 117

aschalick@thearcofnova.org
head and shoulders photo of Keziah Wohlers

703-208-1119 ext. 143

kwohlers@thearcofnova.org
Keziah Wohlers Program Specialist, Tech for Independent Living

703-208-1119 ext. 143

kwohlers@thearcofnova.org
Sarah Cornett Program Assistant, Tech for Independent Living
Schuyler Hudson Program Assistant, Tech for Independent Living
Claire McTiernan Program Assistant, Tech for Independent Living

Testimonials

Expressions of gratitude from those who have been helped by our work
head and shoulders photo of Nick Baldiva, wearing a red checkered dress shirt
team photo of the O'Brien family at the 2023 Team Challenge
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“Every time I run out of options for solving a need for my adult intellectually-disabled son, The Arc of Northern Virginia has provided a pathway for help. Without this organization, our lives would be much more difficult.”

Esther Baldiva

Mother of Nick Baldiva

“The Arc of Northern Virginia is a friend and a defender, not only for my daughter but for all those challenged with Intellectual Disability. The staff does a tremendous job, and it is just amazing to witness all the progress which has been made under their leadership. For sure I am a big fan. ”

Ed O’Brien

Father of Shana

“I highly recommend The Arc of Northern Virginia for their exceptional advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities.”

The Carlucci Family

Parents of Phillip

Young boy with autism clutches his headphones, while sitting on the floor with dad and mom sitting behind him

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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In northern Virginia, more than 39,000 individuals of all ages have some form of IDD
A blonde woman wearing glasses sits behind a desk, and shows a piece of paper to another woman who sits with her back to the viewer.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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The Arc of Northern Virginia fields over 2,000 Information & Referral requests annually
photo of a conference room full of people attending a workshop, with a table of panelists at the front of the room

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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We provide more than 70 educational workshops and webinars each year on a wide range of lifespan topics
A young african american couple sits on the couch with their toddler son on mom's lap, pointing to a laptop screen that sits on dad's lap

Bridging the Opportunity Gap

How You Can Help Make an Impact

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More than 2,100 families have established a Special Needs Trust with The Arc of Northern Virginia
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