transitioning into employment opportunities with - Ontario ARC

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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
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