Focus on the Future
The Arc Minnesota
Recent Episodes
In the final episode of season 1 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Andrea Zuber, CEO of The Arc Minnesota. Andrea has devoted her career to protecting the human rights of people with disabilities. Over the years, she has fostered a vision for the future. Andrea knows that people with disabilities are powerful, capable, wise, and strong. We need our society's narrative to reflect these truths. Together at The Arc Minnesota, we are co-creating a bright future where people with disabilities have true belonging. In this episode, learn more from Andrea about this vision and how we can all be a part of it.
About Andrea Zuber
Andrea Zuber has been CEO of The Arc Minnesota since February, 2019. Prior, she was Director of Social Services for Dakota County. Her 22 years of experience in the disability field includes leadership roles at the Minnesota Department of Human Services, Ramsey County, and Arc Great Rivers. She has been actively engaged in partnerships with organizations that support inclusion for people with disabilities including People First Minnesota and the Minnesota Disability Law Center Citizens Advisory Council. She served on the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration Citizens Advisory Council, the Minnesota Employment First Coalition, and was engaged in efforts related to the development and implementation of the Minnesota Olmstead Plan.
About Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.
You can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 14 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.
In Episode 13, learn what it means to be "person-centered" and why it is so important. Dr. Dan Baker from the Minnesota Department of Human Services joins us. He shares how focusing on someone's strengths, interests, and dreams can change not only the trajectory for their future, but also the here & now.
About Dr. Dan Baker
Dr. Dan Baker is with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where he serves as the Positive Supports Compliance Specialist with Quality Assurance and Disability Compliance Services. Dr. Baker also provides clinical supervision for the Successful Life Project. Dr. Baker is involved with the design, development, and monitoring of treatment and intervention programs to align with the Positive Supports and a person-centered culture. Dr. Baker's clinical focus is on positive behavior support, models of community and educational support, transition services, and mental health services for persons with disabilities.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
- LOMAH podcast, episode #49: lomah.org/podcast2/49
- Arc Guide to Person-Centered Planning: arcminnesota.org/ways-we-can-help/planning-your-future/person-centered-planning
- Cornell University Person-Centered Planning: personcenteredplanning.org
About Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.
You can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 13 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.
In episode 12 of Focus on the Future, we are joined by Barbara. Barbara lives in Minnesota and is passionate about martial arts. She is also a self-advocate. Self-advocacy is about using your voice to make your own decisions and be your own advocate. Hear from Barbara as she shares her journey to self-advocacy, why it empowers her, and what she hopes the future looks like for people with disabilities.
About Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.
You can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 12 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.
In Episode 11 of Focus on the Future, learn about the role that siblings play in future planning. Emily Holl of the Sibling Support Project joins us to discuss how siblings can be empowered to be a part of planning for the future. Siblings know each other in ways that parents, teachers, doctors, therapists, and others do not. Their ideas and input are a powerful piece of making plans for the future alongside the sibling with a disability. In this episode, learn what support siblings crave when they think about stepping into a caregiver role over time.
About Emily Holl
Emily Holl is the Director of the Sibling Support Project. Emily is a social worker, writer, trainer, and sibling. Over the past 16 years, she has provided workshops, trainings, and groups for siblings, families, and individuals with disabilities. She has written about her own sibling experiences in blogs, magazines, and books, such as Thicker Than Water. Emily was an author and co-editor of the Sibling Survival Guide, Indispensable information for Adult Brothers and Sisters of People with Disabilities, published by Woodbine House in 2014. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Massachusetts, a master of fine arts from Columbia University, and a master of social work from Hunter College at the City University of New York. Emily and her husband, Tom, reside in Greater Seattle and have two young sons. Emily's the primary family support for her brother, and she is grateful for the village of people who help. She can be reached at [email protected].
About Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.
You can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 11 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.
In episode 10 of Focus on the Future, we talk about decision making and guardianship. In Minnesota, there are many options, including supported decision making, full & limited guardianship, authorized representation, and more. Tune in to hear about what each option means, and how it could be a good fit for the person with a disability and you as a caregiver. Guardianship and its other options are an important piece in honoring choice and defining a life that is fulfilling and meaningful to each individual person.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
- Guardianship Options (‘webinar’ on Youtube): youtube.com/watch?v=vla29A4xkEk&t=486s
- Arc Guide to Guardianship: arcminnesota.org/resource/arc-guide-to-guardianship
- Supported Decision Making: supportmydecision.org
- Texas’ Supported Decision Making Agreement: thearcoftexas.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Supported_Decision_Making_For_Families_UPDATED_Jan_2016.pdf
About Focus on the Future
Focus on the Future is a podcast for caregivers and families supporting people with disabilities. In each episode, a conversation about the journey of discovering our best life and how to achieve it. While exploring legal, financial, and quality of life structures, Focus on the Future aims to get back to what matters most: living a fulfilling and meaningful life that is defined by each individual person.
You can find more information about Focus on the Future at arcminnesota.org/podcast. If Episode 10 inspired a question for an Arc Advocate, call The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494.