transitioning into employment opportunities with - Ontario ARC

ONTARIOARC.BLOGSPOT.COM CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
ARCLife
WWW.ONTARIOARC.ORG
SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5
TRANSITIONING INTO
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
WITH PROJECT SEARCH TM
Ontario ARC has recently partnered with Finger Lakes Health to bring
Project SEARCH TM
to Ontario County. Founded in 1994 at Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital, Project SEARCH is a nationally and internationally recognized
transition program for individuals with disabilities who are interested in training
Continues on Page 3

ARCLife SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5
ARCLife
Ontario ARC is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to assisting individuals with intellectual
and developmental disabilities and their
families. We offer personalized services and
supports that promote independence, recognize
individual uniqueness and value quality of life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lynne H. Erdle, president
Patrick R. Boyle, vice president
Elizabeth A. Palmatier, secretary
Charles P. McCausland, treasurer
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Joseph M. Bognanno
Deborah Wilbur
DIRECTORS
James Colizzi
Gretchen Daugherty
James Gerling
Peter Lijewski
Norma McWilliams
Mary Kate Morrell
Marie O’Horo
Barbara G. Risser. EdD
John A. Schuppenhauer, Esq.
Karen Springmeier
Michael Stapleton
Christine Supple
Bruce Teague
Kathryn Wegman
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Ann Scheetz
PUBLISHING TEAM
Writing, design and layout
In House Graphic Design, Inc.
+ CopyLAB
Major Photography
Jan Regan Photography
Share your e-mail address with us and
receive agency news and information.
Visit ontarioarc.org to sign up today!
Find us on Facebook!
facebook.com/ontarioarc
Participate in our blog at
ontarioarc.blogspot.com
Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc.
3071 County Complex Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424
585.394.7500 www.ontarioarc.org
United Way
of Ontario County
Josh Elias (center), director of
Abbey Employment Services, works with
J.R. Rivas and Anne Gleason.
ONTARIO COUNTY HAS
HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT RATE FOR
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
According to a recent study, Ontario County has the highest employment rate
for people with disabilities out of 60 other New York State counties. The
information was compiled by New York Makes Work Pay — a statewide initiative
intended to improve the rate of employment among people with disabilities.
Each October, National Disability
Employment Awareness Month
(NDEAM) spotlights the employment
of people with disabilities.
Collaboration with area employers is a classic
win-win situation where everyone involved
benefits from the relationship.
• In 2011, Abbey Employment Services
helped 65 people with disabilities
find meaningful employment.
• From January through
September 2012, 49 people with
disabilities have been placed in jobs
throughout our community.
SPOTLIGHT ON CUSTODIAL SERVICES —
KYLE FRYE “DOING IT RIGHT”
Kyle Frye worked in the agency’s
maintenance department for about
three years. “Kyle was initially hired to
do landscaping and painting,” says
Carol Guest, senior service coordinator at
Ontario ARC. “But these areas weren’t
the best fit for him.”
A team of agency personnel –
including service coordinators, the
facilities and custodial manager and
employment specialists – collaborated
to help Kyle find new employment with
the custodial crew.
“Kyle has great strengths and we
all worked together to find a position
that was better suited to his skills,” says
Lou Wiesner, director of facilities and
transportation at Ontario ARC. “He has
flourished in this new position and has
become a key person on the crew.”
Currently, Kyle is an assistant custodial
crew chief, which has provided him with
more opportunity and responsibility. As
part of the ‘Project Group,’ he works at
the agency, as well as at various buildings
throughout Ontario County. “Kyle takes
a lot of pride in and has a great attitude
about his work,” Lou continues. “He’s
grown tremendously, gained new skills
and is an inspiration to other members
of the custodial crew.”
Kyle Frye
2

Project SEARCH connects organizations like Ontario ARC with businesses to assist people with disabilities as they master skills needed for competitive employment.
Transitioning into Employment,
Continued from cover
and preparation for competitive employment.
There are currently more than 150 Project
SEARCH programs throughout the United
States, Great Britain, Australia and Canada.
As part of the program, adults between
21 to 30 years of age report to a host business
and learn employability skills. They develop
job skills while participating in a variety of
training experiences at departments onsite
throughout the business.
Beginning this fall, the agency’s
initial Project SEARCH program with
Finger Lakes Health will include
six individuals from Ontario ARC.
Participants will experience internship
SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
Ontario ARC invites you to attend special seminars and workshops on autism spectrum disorders and other
intellectual and developmental disabilities. Join us for:
AUTISM & THE ENVIRONMENT
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2012 - 9am to 12pm
Learn about sensory integration and positive behavioral
intervention for individuals with autism. Presented in
partnership with The Advocacy Center.
To be held at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility.
There is a fee to attend this seminar: $40 for professionals; $20 for families.
opportunities in various areas throughout
the health care system. Potential internships
include patient transport, patient attendants,
sterilization, nutrition services and
medical records.
“Under the Project SEARCH curriculum,
participants receive employment training
and instruction five days a week and take
part in three internship rotations during the
“We are very grateful for the support
of The Institute for Innovative Transition
at Strong Memorial Hospital for
assisting us with Project SEARCH,”
says Josh Elias.
year, each lasting ten weeks in length,” says
Lora Winghart, associate executive director
of program services at Ontario ARC. She
adds that an Ontario ARC instructor and
job coach play key roles in assisting agency
participants, helping ensure they are learning
the necessary skills to perform a specific job
function. Finger Lakes Health department
managers also oversee participants onsite
and offer additional training.
“This is a great opportunity for people
to gain practical work experience,” states
Lora. “The hope is that they will be hired
when positions at Finger Lakes Health
become available. They can also utilize their
experience to obtain employment at other
health care facilities in the community.”
LET’S CONNECT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2013 - 9am to 12pm
Gain new insight on how to best communicate with people
affected by autism spectrum disorders and learn about various
intervention models (DIR, ABA, TEACCH). Presented in
partnership with The Advocacy Center.
To be held at Ontario ARC’s Main Facility.
There is a fee to attend this seminar: $40 for professionals; $20 for families.
For reservations, please contact Ontario ARC’s Training Department at training@ontarioarc.org or 585-394-7500.
More information is available online at ontarioarc.org/speakersseries.
3

STILL CRUISIN’ AFTER TWENTY YEARS!
It was an evening filled with fun, good friends,
great food – and even fireworks – as more than
700 attendees gathered for Ontario ARC’s
20th annual Cruisin’ for a Cause. This
special event, the agency’s largest yearly
fundraiser, took place along the shore
of Canandaigua Lake on August 23 and
netted close to $80,000 to benefit
The Autism Center at Ontario ARC.
“We’ve come a long way since the first
Cruisin’ for a Cause – so there was a lot
of excitement around this year’s event and
Channel 13’s Don Alhart (center) greets James Filippelo (left) and
Dennis Powell at Cruisin’ for a Cause.
our 20th anniversary celebration,” says
Donna Auria, Ontario ARC’s director
of community relations. “The incredible
amount of support we receive from our
community makes this event bigger and
better every year.”
In addition to the perfect warm-weather
setting at Steamboat Landing and scenic
cruises aboard the Canandaigua Lady, this
year’s Cruisin’ guests enjoyed a delicious
mix of favorite summertime foods, as well
as a variety of complimentary wines.
The Dundee Steel Drum
Band and Rochester’s favorite
Nik and the Nice Guys
provided entertainment
throughout the evening.
The event also included
a live auction, emceed
by Don Alhart of
13WHAM-TV and his
son Jon, plus a silent auction
that raised $10,000. As
Thank you to the following 2012 Cruisin’ for a Cause sponsors:
LEAD SPONSORS
Bognanno/Holden Family
The Bonadio Group
Dr. Robert & Marilyn Carr
Community Waste Services, Inc.
D’Agostino General
Contractors, Inc.
Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield
Finger Lakes Moose Lodge #823
Finger Lakes Partners
First Niagara Bank
Geneva Club Beverage Co., Inc.
IBC Engineering
ITT Goulds Pumps
Lawley Benefits Group
McCarthy Tents
M/E Engineering, P.C.
Nationwide Insurance
Norma McWilliams
Ontario Honda
Shepard Brothers Ford
Wegmans of Canandaigua
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Alesco Advisors, LLC
Brown & Brown Insurance
C.H. Insurance Brokerage
Services, Inc.
Canandaigua Financial Group
CB Phillips
Clifton, Budd & DeMaria
Dixon Schwabl
Dobbs Family Auto Service, Inc.
El Rayess Architects
Ewing Graphics
Finger Lakes Technologies
Group, Inc.
G.W. Lisk Company
HEP Sales — North Main Lumber
— Bright Ideas
IDI Billing Solutions
Jachles Imperial, Ltd.
Brian & Karen Joslyn
George & Kathy Karpus
Koch Container
Lynch Furniture Co.
of Canandaigua
MV Transportation, Inc.
Brian & Kelly Meath
Plan Architectural Studio, P.C.
Regional Distributors
RL Kistler, Inc.
Jeff & Ann Scheetz
John Schuppenhauer,
Attorney at Law & Family
Steamboat Landing
The Gorham Market
Thompson Health
Ultrafab
Walmart of Geneva
CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS
Ameriprise
Anonymous
Frank & Donna Auria
B & B Builders
this spectacular evening of
Cruisin’ came to an end,
colorful fireworks lit up
Barone, Sicliano & Co. PC
Bill & Mary Castiglione
Canandaigua Quick Print
Chamberlain, D’Amanda,
Oppenheimer & Greenfield, LLP
CNB Mortgage Company
Eastview Mall
Finger Lakes Dental
Finger Lakes Health
Five Star Bank
German Brothers Marina
Lew & Miriam Gould
Grassman LLC
Gremlin Medical Supply
Lake Country Wood Workers
Lochland School, Inc.
News10NBC
NYSARC, Inc.
Joe & Margaret Post
Potter HVAC & Metal Fab, Inc.
Premier Physical Therapy
Michael J. Roulan,
Attorney at Law
The Mediation Center, Inc.
Trombley Tire & Auto
Louis Wiesner IV & Julia Wiesner
Zotos International, Inc.
DONATING SPONSORS
AdviStor, Inc.
Adem Adem
American Precision Construction
Apalachee Salt
4
Gretchen Daugherty gets ready to take a ride on
the Canandaigua Lady.
the skies over Canandaigua Lake, thanks
in part to the generosity of Young Explosives
and Marine Blue.
“We can always depend on members
from our local community to volunteer,
solicit business sponsorships, sell tickets and
gather auction items for this fundraiser,” adds
Donna. “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out
to all of these individuals for helping to make
Cruisin’ for a Cause such a successful event.
We couldn’t do it without their help!”
Barrett Marine, Inc.
Becker Motors
Benemy Welding &
Fabricating, Inc.
Drs. Greg & Ben Gullo,
Family Dentistry
C.A. Reed Associates, Inc.
Canandaigua Chamber
of Commerce
Chrisanntha Construction
Charlie & Debbie Dhalle
Dick Anthony, Ltd.
Dr. Mark DiMartino DDS
Don Brown Bus Sales, Inc.
DRW Insurance
Sam Edwards & Judith Rickey
Finger Lakes Pool & Spa
Floyd Frey, Inc.
Frontier Communications
Furniture Village
Gale-Wyn Catering
Halco Plumbing & Heating
In House Graphic Design, Inc.
JD Hill Construction
Johnson Equipment
Sales & Service, Inc.
Kocher Family
Korpiel Physical Therapy
Lakeland Equipment Corp.
Licciardi Radio Services, Inc.
Lupton Associates
Lyons National Bank
Messenger Post Media
Mike Morelands
Lawn & Landscape Inc.
Milt’s Precision Collision
New York Bus Sales
Ontario Telephone Company
PayFile IQ
Pooler Enterprises
Reverend Lisa Peterson
Bill & Noreen Quinn
R.F. Fedder Corporation
Randall Buick GMC Cadillac
Reliant Federal Credit Union
Ronco Communications
Sandi Van Camp,
Associate Broker,
Hunt Real Estate ERA
SK Signs
Sun Life Financial
The Hook-Kemp Agency
Time Warner Cable
Robert Thompson &
Bonnie DeVinney
Toshiba Business Solutions
Uptown Fitness
Usherwood Office
Technology
Bob & Michele Wistner
Denny Wyckoff
Nancy Yost

ARCLife SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 NEWSLETTER VOLUME 3 ISSUE 5
5
TAKING PRIDE IN WORKING WITH THE CANANDAIGUA VA
Ontario ARC’s relationship with the
Canandaigua VA Medical Center
continues to flourish! In addition to
providing comprehensive inpatient and
outpatient care to veterans living in
Upstate New York, the Canandaigua VA
offers great employment opportunities
for people with intellectual and other
developmental disabilities.
Austin Overmoyer
On August 23,
New York State Comptroller
Thomas DiNapoli led
a seminar for non-profit
leaders on how to
detect fraud within
their organizations and
protect their money.
The event was hosted by
The Collaborative of the
Finger Lakes – a partnership
of ARC Chapters in the
Finger Lakes region,
including Ontario ARC.
Currently, six people – including
Austin Overmoyer – are working in
food service and the mailroom through
Employment and Training Program (ETP)
internships, sponsored by the Office for
People with Developmental Disabilities
(OPWDD). ETP is an 18-month training
program in which participants receive the
necessary support to help ensure job success,
at no expense to the employer. OPWDD
pays the participants’ wages for the duration
of the program. “The goal is for the
individuals to be hired by the VA after the
training period, or to have learned skills
to work in a similar capacity,” explains
Josh Elias, director of Abbey Employment
Services at Ontario ARC. He adds that the
Canandaigua VA looks to Ontario ARC as
a resource and is planning to hire additional
workers from the agency in the future.
“Our partnership with Ontario ARC has
been a win-win for everyone involved,” says
Benita Allen, human resources specialist at
the Canandaigua VA Medical Center.
“The participants that work for us are an
integral part of our team. They take great
pride in their jobs – and in helping the
veterans who served us.”
For more information about how you
can help individuals with disabilities
achieve their employment goals,
please contact Josh Elias, director
of Abbey Employment Services, at
jelias@ontarioarc.org or 585-919-2141.
Various financial incentives
for qualifying businesses and
organizations are also available.
Pictured, from left to right: Chris Peterson, executive director of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming; Lyle Lehman,
Board Treasurer of The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming; David Calhoun, executive director of Wayne ARC and
president of The Collaborative of the Finger Lakes; Thomas DiNapoli, comptroller of New York State;
Barbara Wale, president of The Arc of Monroe, Ann Scheetz, executive director of Ontario ARC;
and Mike Damiano, executive director of Allegany ARC.

Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc.
3071 County Complex Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424
HOLIDAY HELPERS NEEDED
This holiday season, you can give a very
special gift – your time. Ontario ARC is
looking for volunteers to lend a hand at
our annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Booth
at Eastview Mall in Victor. The agency
now has two booths, located at Center
Court between J. Crew and Clarks and
outside of Macy’s. The booths, which
open on Black Friday and close on
Christmas Eve, raise funds for the
agency’s wide variety of programs and
services that support individuals with
intellectual and developmental disabilities
and their families.
Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 780
Rochester, NY
If you are interested in volunteering,
please contact Margaret Post,
special events/volunteer coordinator,
at 585-919-2241. Morning, afternoon
and evening shifts are available.