transitioning into employment opportunities with - Ontario ARC

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.