Education / Training

Family Training & Counseling Services:

See Family Training & Counseling Referral Form HERE

Healthy Relationships

The Arc Northland offers Healthy Relationship Education through our Family Training & Counseling Services in collaboration with DHS.

We recognize that healthy relationships look different for everyone, so our approach is flexible and tailored to each person’s unique goals and needs. Grounded in person-centered principles, our curriculum is designed around what matters most to each participant.

Together, we identify the relationship topics you want to explore and create a plan to support your learning and growth. Sessions typically run 45 to 60 minutes and are focused on helping you build confidence, understanding, and meaningful connections with others.

The general content of the Healthy Relationships sessions include:

• Respect

• Communication

• Different types of relationships

• How to maintain relationships

• Personal Boundaries, Values and Comfort Zones

• Safety

• Personal Choice

• Consent

• Who is my safe person?

Self-Advocacy Training and Support

The ability to speak up for ourselves, to make sure we are living the life we chose to live, takes a level of understanding and ultimate practice. Often, people with disabilities tend to be taken ‘care of’ by well-meaning supporters and because of this, the sense of control over one’s life, that most of us learn through insight and capacities, is at risk of being lost.

Arc Northland has skilled professionals that assist with gaining skills in Self-Advocacy though training and support. Through a Person-Centered, team approach we assist individuals with disabilities with the process of learning and practicing how and when to speak up to take care of ourselves and our needs.

All participants must have a service authorization in place for the Self-Advocacy Training and Support.

Self-Advocacy and Housing Stability

Family Training and Counseling Services with a Housing Advocacy focus will integrate self-advocacy skill development as a foundation for long-term housing stability. Participants will learn to communicate effectively, understand and exercise their tenant rights, and navigate complex housing systems with confidence. By promoting independence, proactive problem-solving, and effective collaboration with landlords and service providers, this program will help participants with ongoing support for individuals and families by maintaining stable housing.

Key Focus Areas include: Expressing Housing Needs, Tenant Rights and Responsibilities, Crisis & Safety Planning, and Maintaining Tenancy

To receive Family Training and Counseling services you must have an active waiver and a service authorization in place under Family Training and Counseling Services.

For more information on Family Training and Counseling Services, reach out to Amanda at 218-726-4860 or acrosby@arcnorthland.org

Disability Equality Training Series (DETS):

*There are no DETS classes at this time, stay tuned for upcoming DETS classes in 2026!

DETS 101-103 Classes focus on Self-Advocacy

Arc Northland’s Adult, Children, and Family Services Department is offering DETS (Disability Equality Training Series), a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip people with developmental and other disabilities to build skills in disability inclusion, self advocacy, and equality!

Self-advocates will have the opportunity to strengthen their self-advocacy and assertive communication skills; explore their values and strengths; and learn about disability laws from our history including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

DETS has 3 different course levels, DETS 101-DETS 103. Participants are encouraged to start with DETS 101 and move through the series. DETS courses are scheduled over 8 weeks with participants meeting for 1.5 hours once a week via Zoom.

“It’s a wonderful class, packed with interesting topics, activities, and discussion opportunities,” a former participant, Alison, said. “Participating in the class is a fabulous group of self-advocates who make many interesting points and insights in discussion. I will be sad to see the class end—but participants can later go on to take DETS 102, if they’re interested!”

If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in the next DETS class, please contact Summer at 218-726-4746 or sthomas@arcnorthland.org .

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