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How The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties Helps Employ People With Disabilities

/in /by Guest Blogger

By Kevin P. MacDonald, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties

It is an exciting time in Southern California for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)! On July 20, we celebrated the opening of a franchise to further our mission of employing people with IDD. With an unemployment rate of 85% for people with developmental disabilities and state funding at a standstill for years – we decided to find a creative way to employ people with disabilities in our community.

Partnering with a New York based franchise called “Just-A-Buck” and with the assistance of a local benefactor we were able to make this dream come true.

The store employs 5 people with IDD, each of them earning a salary at or above minimum wage, working alongside employees without disabilities. The employees participate in all aspects of making the store a success. The new store will also provide an added bonus: to have people come into the store and see our workers and what they are capable of instead of their disability, you just can’t measure that! We believe that work gives everyone, especially those with disabilities, purpose and dignity and it helps them achieve independence and economic self-sufficiency.

To learn more about the store visit our website. Also, if you live in the Los Angeles area stop by and visit us: 141 E. Willow Street in Long Beach at the Wrigley Shopping Center (Willow & Long Beach Boulevard).

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Creating Awareness and Acceptance in Ohio

/in /by The Arc

One of the most important steps to achieving full inclusion for individuals with disabilities is to ensure that children are included and accepted by their peers. The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties in Ohio has made it a priority to educate and sensitize children and community members toward people who have disabilities through a program called “People Together”.

People Together is an in-school disability awareness program that was started back in 1983 and is funded in part by the local Summit and Portage County Boards of Developmental Disabilities. The main goal of the program is to educate and sensitize students and community members toward people who have various disabilities in an effort to foster understanding, acceptance, communication, friendship and inclusion between people with and people without disabilities. The program has not only helped children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) be better understood and accepted by their peers, it has also helped students without disabilities to have a better understanding and openness toward people with disabilities. Teachers, parents and students have all benefited from this unique program.

One teacher shared a story about how after participating in People Together with her class, a student was comfortable enough to get up in front of his classmates and share that he had autism. He proceeded to explain what that meant, and how certain things are different or more difficult for him. Not only was the teacher amazed at the student’s level of comfort speaking to his peers, but also with how much his openness impacted everyone in the class.

Another teacher expressed how much of an impact the program had made on her entire class. As soon as the program ended, the calendar was filled with students who were eager to volunteer with the special education class in that school. There was no obligation for the students to volunteer; there was just a desire among the majority of them. The students who did not have disabilities spent their recess time reading and playing games with students who did.

To learn more about the People Together program contact Hope Carr at The Arc of Summit and Portage Counties.

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The Arc of New Jersey’s Statement on the DC Closure Taskforce Resolution

/in /by The Arc

The Arc of New Jersey released this statement on the Resolution of the State Taskforce on Institutional Closure. You can download it from the chapter’s website.

On July 23, 2012, the New Jersey Taskforce on Institutional Closure met. The Taskforce voted on and passed a binding resolution calling for the closure of North Jersey and Woodbridge Developmental Centers, in that order, over the next five years.

The Arc of New Jersey is grateful to the Taskforce for its painstaking and conscientious effort to thoroughly review the issue of closing state developmental centers; and we enthusiastically support its decision today to proceed with closing two of New Jersey’s seven developmental centers. The Arc of New Jersey believes that all individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities have the right to live, and be fully included, in communities of their choosing. For over thirty years there has been a clear direction in federal and state policy toward community living for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. As the census of New Jersey’s developmental centers has decreased, it has become clear that we simply do not need seven developmental centers.

We recognize the critical need for detailed planning and oversight in the process of transitioning developmental center residents into community-based settings. The Arc of New Jersey and its 20 local county chapters pledge to assist in this process in any way possible, to ensure the safe and appropriate placement of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the community, alongside their fellow citizens and peers.

From The Arc of New Jersey’s Media Center.

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The Arc Connecticut’s Statement on Abuse Investigation

/in /by The Arc

According to media reports, the worker responsible for the abuse was arrested and criminally charged.

“The Arc Connecticut is deeply disturbed by the recent release of a videotape which appears to depict a staff member at a privately-operated group home physically abusing residents. This is obviously heinous and unacceptable behavior and the perpetrators should be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law. The Arc CT is confident that Options Unlimited, state regulators and authorities are investigating and will, and have, responded appropriately. For 60 years The Arc Connecticut has advocated for the basic civil and human rights for Individuals with IDD and their families and we continue to do so.”

– The Arc Connecticut statement

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Achieving in the Workforce With Acadia Windows and Doors

/in /by The Arc

The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region (The Arc NCR) in Aberdeen, Maryland works closely with the business community to provide employment opportunities to individuals that they support. In 2005, The Arc NCR established a business partnership with Acadia Windows and Doors in Baltimore. This partnership has employed over nine workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities from The Arc NCR to date with great success. Today, five of those workers are making a difference on the manufacturing floor by performing tasks resulting in production line improvements. They earn wages comparable to people without disabilities doing the same job for Acadia and interact with their peers at the company in an integrated work environment.

Jessica Markle, one of the individuals receiving services at The Arc NCR, works on the manufacturing production line installing wool pile used as weather stripping in every window. She received on-the-job training and support from a job coach, as well as transportation support to the work site each day. Jessica works independently in a warehouse with 63 other co-workers with and without disabilities on the manufacturing floor. She is able to accomplish her job independently even though she is legally blind and developmentally disabled. As a result of employing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Acadia Windows & Doors has a safer work environment and was awarded the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Award from OSHA (Occupational Health & Safety Administration) in 2007 and again in 2011.

Here’s what Acadia’s Vice President of Manufacturing, Neill Christopher, had to say about this partnership with The Arc NCR:

Question: How did Acadia Windows and Doors’ partnership with The Arc NCR begin?

Answer: We didn’t partner with The Arc NCR to be altruistic; we partnered with them because to do so makes sense as a business decision. This is a great pool of workers. We had a great deal of trepidation when The Arc NCR first approached us. This is a manufacturing environment, with large sheets of glass, saws, and presses, all capable of inflicting serious injury. What we learned is that everything that we did to make things safer for our team members from The Arc NCR, made it safer for everyone else as well. We’re an OSHA SHARP site; proud of our safety record while striving to always make our facility safer for all who work or visit here.

Question: What are a few of the outcomes that have been evident through this partnership?

Answer: As promised, our team members from The Arc NCR are reliable. They consistently have exemplary attendance records, and always hit their production goals. As our partnership with The Arc NCR developed, we found that our company was changing in several positive ways. First of all, we worked better as a team. In planning to assimilate our new employees, we problem solved in a way that was different for us, and this new ability carried over into all aspects of our teamwork. We were learning to think differently, and forming interdepartmental relationships that hadn’t existed before.

Question: Are there any changes that surprised you as a result of hiring people with disabilities?

Answer: We found ourselves becoming a kinder company. Along with looking out for our team members from The Arc NCR, we began to look out for one another, too. It was a subtle change at first, but we’ve learned to embrace this change as we work together on a daily basis.

If I’m having a tough day, I’ll take a quick walk around our factory floor. Our team members from The Arc NCR take visible joy in their accomplishments, and are always eager to show what they’ve produced so far each day. Their joy is contagious, and I return to my office recharged and inspired by their example.

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The Arc of Alameda County Shifts Gears

/in /by Guest Blogger

By Richard Fitzmaurice, Director of Community Relations at The Arc of Alameda County

It was loud. It was smelly. It was crowded. It was the thrill of a lifetime!

Eleven of The Arc of Alameda County’s 600 clients traveled some 100 miles south to California’s central coast for the Monterey edition of the Pirelli World Challenge motor race.

It was not the typical community-based excursion.

Carrying personal belongings in backpacks specially designed for The Arc of Alameda County, the group entered Laguna Seca raceway and was immediately dazzled by the sights, sounds, colors and cars. Of particular interest was the white Audi TT RS with The Arc’s logo on the hood sandwiched between the Revo technik and Pirelli logos.

Representing The Arc of Alameda County was: Peter Parkins, Angel Peregrina, Dania Leyva, Peter Roe, David Robinson, Laimone Williams, Nelvin Goree, Annick Woodall, Dominic Lerona, Kenneth Lee and Terry Newman.

Staff members included Mark Caleira, Jr., Ed Segovia and Juan Ramirez. They were assisted by Joann Scruggs and Raymond Gaddis.

The Arc crew was immediately ushered not to the usual grandstand seats but straight to the pit where they served as honorary members of the ISTOOK’s Motorsports pit crew. After enjoying a homemade bag lunch and helping wax the car, driver Don Istook and his wife Laurie offered insights into the world of racing.

“He told us about the car – showed us how everything works,” said David Robinson, a client at the vocational development center in San Leandro.

It was personal experience involving family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities that led Don and Laurie Istook, owners of ISTOOK’s Motorsports, to form a partnership with The Arc and create the Arc Audi Racing Program. It was that focus on the abilities – not disabilities – of the people we serve that made the Istooks comfortable giving The Arc of Alameda group total access to the pit. Clients even got to check out the other cars.

“I got to meet other drivers,” said Angel Peregrina also of San Leandro. “Don was nice and super helpful.”

“Everyone was great,” commented Community Service Manager, Mark Caldeira. “Even crew members not affiliated with ISTOOK’S Motorsports took time to explain what they were doing and why they were doing it. It could not have been a better experience for our clients,” he said.

As race time approached, the Arc crew was invited to participate in “the walk to the grid.” Don, who also has The Arc logo on his race suit, climbed into the Audi and fired up the 2.5L turbocharged engine and began creeping toward the gate leading to the track. The Arc crew walked along side.

“It was loud but it was good,” said Peregrina.

When the race started, clients were in their seats and gave Don a huge cheer on every lap as he passed by.

Monterey was the third stop on the Pirelli World Challenge seven-race circuit. At each venue, the Istooks invite local chapters of The Arc to attend. They even invited the Alameda County group to return to Laguna Seca next year.

“We’re going. We’re definitely going!” Peregrina said with a huge smile.

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NYSARC Weighs in on Justice Center Legislation in New York

/in /by The Arc

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo addressed last year’s New York Times expose on abuse and neglect in the state’s system by proposing “The Justice Center for Protection of People with Special Needs.” NYSARC issued a memorandum of support of the plan.

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State Chapters Making a Difference: Let’s Hear It for Alabama, Illinois, and Virginia!

/in /by The Arc

Being part of the community and living as independently as possible are among the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families, and advocates. Chapters of The Arc across the country are on the front lines of pushing for inclusion and advocating for these important rights in their communities. And we want to share the progress that is being made in Alabama, Illinois and Virginia.

Alabama

The Arc of Alabama’s tireless work led to a huge victory for its state at the end of 2011. Working with other statewide IDD organizations, the W.D. Partlow Developmental Center in Tuscaloosa, the home of thousands of individuals with IDD over the years, officially closed on December 28. With the closure of Partlow, Alabama becomes the first state in the southeast and one of only 13 states in the country to no longer operate large public institutions.

“We are delighted about the closure of Partlow. We share the credit for this great accomplishment with People First of Alabama and others, but I can say it would not have happened without The Arc,” said Tom Holmes, Executive Director of The Arc of Alabama.

December’s closing meant the last 150 residents of Partlow were moved to community homes throughout the state. Partlow, which opened in 1923, was costing approximately $42 million a year to operate.

“Most of the families come back and say that they did not realize that their family members would be so much happier living in the community. That is just wonderful for us to hear,” said Tom Holmes.

To learn more about the closure of Partlow read about it in The Tuscaloosa News.

Illinois

Governor Pat Quinn’s announcement of his plan to rebalance the state’s approach to providing long term services and supports for individuals with IDD means change for thousands of individuals in Illinois. The Governor’s Active Community Care Transition (ACCT) plan will increase the number of individuals with IDD living in community settings across the state.

“This historic change in public policy embraces freedom, independence and choice. Our current system is antiquated. Only two states warehouse more people in institutions than Illinois and 13 states have closed all public institutions. More than 30 national studies show that community living provides the most safe and effective care. Yet Illinois ranks last in the nation in the number of available community settings,” said Tony Paulauski, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois.

The Arc of Illinois has been an integral partner in moving the state toward a community based system. Over the last few months the Governor’s office has been in constant contact with The Arc of Illinois’ Executive Director Tony Paulauski and other members of The Arc.

During the first phase of the plan, residents from the Jacksonville Developmental Center (JDC) in Jacksonville, IL and from the Tinley Park Mental Health Center (MHC) in Tinley Park, IL will be transitioned to community settings and the facilities will be closed. Read more about the first of these closures.

Virginia

Last month, the Department of Justice reached a settlement agreement with Virginia requiring the state to provide community-based services through Medicaid waivers and family supports for more than 5,000 individuals with IDD. The agreement means that Virginia will no longer be heavily reliant on large, expensive, public institutions. The state will be able to focus on individualized and cost effective community based services that allow individuals to live independent lives and participate in the community.

“The Arc of Virginia applauds Governor McDonnell and his administration for taking this important step in the right direction. We salute DOJ’s leadership on making this a successful effort that will result in thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities being afforded the opportunity to live “A Life Like Yours” in the community.  This landmark agreement will be long remembered as a historic moment in the ID/DD civil rights movement,” said Jamie Liban, Executive Director of The Arc of Virginia.

The state must create 4,170 new waiver slots for people currently residing in the state’s five Training Centers (about 1,000 individuals), people with intellectual disabilities who are on the state’s “urgent” waiting list for waiver services, people with ID who are under 22 and live in facilities other than the training centers, people with DD who are on the state’s waiting list for waiver services and for people with DD who are under 22 and live in facilities other than the training centers. The state also will create an individual and family support program for 1,000 individuals with IDD most at risk of institutional placement.

Detailed plans for helping individuals transition from institutional settings to community settings and establishing a quality and risk management system are outlined in the agreement. An independent reviewer will oversee the settlement agreement for the court which retains jurisdiction.

View The Arc’s full statement in response to this agreement.

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A Blueprint for Change

/in /by Shelly DeButts

Earlier this year, The Arc of Indiana embarked on a broad-based campaign to create change in Indiana’s systems for serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Starting with the creation of a Big Minds Group made up of leaders in the field, and continuing with Pathways Forums held throughout Indiana to gather input from individuals with IDD and their families, their efforts led to the formation of the Indiana Response Team to develop goals and take action. All of those elements of the campaign have come together in The Arc of Indiana’s Blueprint for Change.

The Blueprint for Change is a thorough report which takes a fresh and sometimes hard look at current systems in Indiana then lays out a bold action plan for creating change in how individuals and families receive services. The Arc of Indiana is actively distributing this blueprint online and sending out hard copies upon request. They recently distributed copies to attendees at their annual state conference and provided additional copies to local chapters throughout the state so those chapters could lead the way in taking action in their communities. Contact The Arc of Indiana at 1-800-382-9100 for more information.

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Growing a Grassroots Advocacy Movement in Nevada

/in /by The Arc

The Arc is happy to announce the launch of the “Growing a Grassroots Advocacy Movement” project in Nevada! This exciting new opportunity is being funded by the Nevada Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Arc in Nevada will work to develop long-term capacity for advocates to have input and impact on issues of importance to people with developmental disabilities and their families.

With the launch of this new program, The Arc will have a statewide presence in Nevada for the first time since the mid-nineties. The project will train individuals with developmental disabilities and family members on how to impact disability policy at the local, regional and state levels, culminating in a grassroots campaign.

The training, called Partners Plus, will be conducted across the state, targeting graduates of previous Nevada Partners in Policymaking classes. This project will work to train people with disabilities and their families (parents, siblings, grandparents, other family members), primarily those who have previously completed the original Partner in Policymaking classes. Participants from The Arc in Nevada’s programs will develop a legislative advocacy platform with specific actions during the 2013 Nevada legislative session. In an effort to develop lasting impact of the trainings, some participants will work to train others in their local communities, involving advocates at all levels in the execution of the legislative platform and advocacy agenda.

In addition to the Partners Plus program, The Arc in Nevada will expand efforts to support individuals with IDD and their families through new chapter recruitment, grassroots advocacy development, and collaborative efforts with communities across Nevada.

This project will be staffed by a new member of The Arc team, Nicole Schomberg. Nicole has expertise in advocate engagement and community outreach. Most recently, Nicole worked to coordinate previous Partners in Policymaking programs in the state. Additionally, Nicole is a parent of a child with developmental disabilities, and has extensive experience working with families and self-advocates in Nevada.