Wellness Institute

We established the ARCA Wellness Institute in 2005 in response to concerns of parents and self-advocates. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and the New Mexico Department of Health, individuals with disabilities have high incidences of persistent pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, anxiety, fatigue, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.                                                                                                                                            

The ARCA Wellness Institute recognizes that individuals with developmental disabilities have a right to receive basic health information in an understandable format in order to identify and choose how they would like to improve. The 12-week course focuses on making healthy food choices, how the body works, and exercising at intensities that promote fitness. Each individual in the program identifies and works towards the fulfillment of a personal health improvement goal.

ARCA collaborates with Rehabilitation Research & Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities at the University of Illinois at Chicago to deliver this critically important program to the individuals receiving our services. The program goal is to prevent secondary health conditions related to unhealthy lifestyles. ARCA’s goal is to make the program available to all individuals receiving services through any of our premiere programs and to train program trainers in other community based organizations within New Mexico.

Contact a co-coordinator to learn more about the ARCA Wellness Institute: Wellnessinstitute@arc-a.org   (505) 332-6839 or Wellnessprogram@arc-a.org (505-332-6824)