The Arc of Dutchess and The Arc Sullivan-Orange Counties to Unify Under New Name

Courtesy photo of Crys McCuin, former executive director of The Arc of Dutchess and Ric Schwartz, executive director of The Arc Sullivan-Orange, who will lead the combined entity

The Arc of Dutchess, along with The Arc Sullivan-Orange Counties, two of the region’s largest providers of support services for people with disabilities, announced that both organizations will unify as one agency under a new name, The Arc Greater Hudson Valley, NY. The announcement comes after the decision earlier this year for the nonprofits to unify and unite efforts in order to best support individuals with disabilities in the larger Hudson Valley community.

The legal merger, which will be completed by January 1, 2021, will allow the organization to further its combined missions across the three counties – Dutchess, Sullivan and Orange. Leading the combined entity will be The Arc Sullivan-Orange’s current Executive Director, Ric Schwartz. Schwartz has been in an oversight role for the past 17 years, and successfully navigated the merger of SullivanArc and The Arc of Orange County into The Arc Sullivan-Orange Counties on January 1, 2019. Schwartz has stepped in as The Arc of Dutchess' Executive Director, while Crys McCuin, former Executive Director, will continue to work with the organization in a consulting role into 2021.

“The creation of The Arc Greater Hudson Valley ensures the best possible future for both organizations and allows us to leverage and combine the strengths of each,” said Schwartz. “These are trying times, with cuts to our field in the state budget combined with the impact of COVID-19. This unification will help us confront these difficulties and enable us to do what matters most; make meaningful change in the lives of the people we support.”

“Respecting and supporting what matters to individuals here in Dutchess County has always been at the heart of what we do,” said McCuin. “In joining forces with our colleagues across the river, and through Ric’s leadership, this combined organization will be better prepared to weather storms and support many more people in our community with critical and person-centered supports.”

All residential services, programs and supports currently provided by The Arc of Dutchess and The Arc Sullivan-Orange will continue to be facilitated at the agencies’ current, respective locations. Associate Executive Director of The Arc of Dutchess, Marie Fitzmaurice, will provide direct oversight of programs and operations in Dutchess County.

“I am proud of our nearly 50 year history – and the supports we have provided in that time”, said Fitzmaurice. “Dutchess County programs will continue to remain in Dutchess County, and as our footprint expands, we remain dedicated to the people we have and will continue to support here at home.”

About The Arc of Dutchess

The Arc of Dutchess, a chapter of The Arc New York (formerly NYSARC), is one of Dutchess County’s largest nonprofit organizations devoted to respecting and supporting what matters to people of all abilities. Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, the organization serves nearly 1,000 people with disabilities and their families through clinical therapies and habilitation programs, along with vital services related to guardianship and employment supports, residential support, respite and other family resources, student and parent assistance in the transition from school to adulthood, recreation, and youth programs. For more information, please visit  www.arcdutchess.org, or visit our pages on Facebook and Instagram.

About The Arc Sullivan-Orange

The Arc Sullivan-Orange Counties supplies supports and services to over 1,800 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Sullivan and Orange Counties and is a chapter of The Arc New York and The Arc of the United States. Services include Residential Services, Day Habilitation Services, Respite and Family Services, Recreational Services, Clinical and Therapeutical Services, Educational Services, Developmental Screening and more. Founded in 1949, the Sullivan County programs were among the first in the nation to form an Arc, which now has grown to over 600 chapters nationwide.