November december 2013 Newsletter. Volume 4 Issue 6

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1 ontarioarc.blogspot.com creating opportunities for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities ARCLife November december 2013 Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 6 Ontario ARC: Leader in Aging Services People with intellectual and developmental disabilities are living longer than ever before. Ontario ARC faced this reality by identifying the need and creating programs unique to this growing population. continues on page 4

2 ARCLife November/december 2013 Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 6 2 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 Patrick R. Boyle, president Karen Springmeier, vice president Elizabeth A. Palmatier, secretary Kathryn Wegman, treasurer Charles McCausland, assistant treasurer Board of Governors Joseph M. Bognanno Deborah Wilbur directors Gretchen Daugherty Lynne Erdle James Gerling Peter Lijewski Kyle Meath Mary Kate Morrell Marie O Horo Barbara G. Risser. EdD John A. Schuppenhauer, Esq. Michael Stapleton Christine Supple Executive Director Ann Scheetz Publishing team Writing, design and layout In House Graphic Design, Inc. Major Photography Jan Regan Photography Share your address with us and receive agency news and information. Visit ontarioarc.org to sign up today! If you prefer not to receive agency news and information call or dauria@ontarioarc.org Find us on Facebook! facebook.com/ontarioarc Participate in our blog at ontarioarc.blogspot.com Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc County Complex Drive Canandaigua, New York Message from Ann Scheetz executive director of Ontario ARC I am pleased to share with you this latest edition of ARC Life. Highlighted throughout this issue is our aging services program a service I am very proud of as it is pioneering in the field with regards to providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are aging. Jody Thomas and staff have gone above and beyond to assure people can enter their golden years with dignity and respect. We have expanded and are sharing our expertise outside of our field, giving presentations to local and statewide organizations. Ann Scheetz You will also see in this edition that new officers were elected to our Board of Directors. We continue to have a dedicated and visionary Board who have done a magnificent job leading the agency in In addition, you will read that our amazing Autism Center continues to develop leading-edge opportunities for children and young adults to participate in innovative groups. Girls Just Want to have Fun and Ryuu, to name a few, are just an example of how we are connecting individuals with their peers and developing social skills along the way. We have also hired a new nursing manager, Courtney Speers, who is an expert in her field. We look forward to her overseeing our team of 12 nurses and our Aging and Wellness programs. Lastly, as we approach the end of the year, I can t help but reflect back on We had a very successful year with our signature fundraising events and are so grateful to the individuals and businesses who continue to support our efforts. We are also blessed to have a team of dedicated volunteers who share their time and talent with us throughout the year. Play Therapy Most importantly, as an agency we faced a challenging year as we saw significant uncertainties in funding at the state level. I am proud to say throughout it all, staff never missed a beat. They continued to provide quality services on a daily basis and kept the best interest of the people we support first and foremost. I have no doubts as we face 2014 that Ontario ARC will continue to be strong as an organization because of our dedicated staff and the values they uphold. Best wishes in the new year! Sincerely, Fun, Food and Fitness United Way of Ontario County Ann Scheetz, Executive Director On the Cover: Food, Fun and Fitness is a popular activity for seniors at Ontario ARC.

3 3 Welcome Nursing Manager Courtney Speers Courtney Speers has joined Ontario ARC as a new nursing services manager. Courtney will oversee nurses in both residential and day programs, and the aging and wellness programs. She is also responsible for the educational aspects of state compliance among the nursing staff. Courtney, a registered nurse since 2001 and parent of a child with special needs, is passionate about nursing and working with people who have disabilities. Prior to joining the agency, Courtney was the Quality Assurance Administrator for the Department of Orthopedics at the University of Rochester. Courtney s medical Courtney Speers, Nursing Manager expertise encompasses managed care, orthopedics and cardiology administration at the University of Rochester. Lora Winghart, associate executive director of program services, says, It s a real win for Ontario ARC as a human services organization to have Courtney join us. As a thoughtful, caring professional with an extensive medical background, she s a perfect fit for us as managed care becomes a bigger part of how we support individuals. For Courtney, it s a dream came true. I ve become so close with everyone who has helped my child, she says, It s a great team, and now I get to work with them every day. Creative Expressions art program represented at NYSARC Convention David Brown and staff member Will Maskrey represented Ontario ARC s Creative Expressions art program at the 64th Annual NYSARC Convention in Albany on October 18th. In the Convention s mini-gallery, David talked about how the Creative Expressions program helps him to express what s dear to him including the subject of the painting he exhibited. He also showcased the work of other Ontario ARC Creative Expressions artists. New Board officers elected This past September, the Ontario ARC has elected five new officers to lead the agency s Board of Directors in 2014: Patrick Boyle, Board President, is vice president of human resources for Finger Lakes Health Karen Springmeier, Board Vice President, is the executive director of the Finger Lakes Workforce Investment Board. Kathryn Wegman, Board Treasurer, is superintendent of the Marion Central School District. Charles McCausland, Board Assistant Treasurer, is retired from the United States Air Force. Elizabeth Palmatier, Board Secretary, is a pharmacist with Wegmans in Canandaigua. Patrick, Karen, Kathy, Chuck and Elizabeth have been dedicated board members and I am confident that their Patrick Boyle Karen Springmeier Kathryn Wegman Charles McCausland Elizabeth Palmatier professional backgrounds will help our agency grow as our field evolves, says Ann Scheetz, Executive Director of Ontario ARC.

4 4 Leader in Aging Services, continued from cover With support from the agency s Board of Directors, the agency embarked on a journey to provide high quality programs and supports to individuals heading into their golden years. Ontario ARC s Aging Services now provides programs encompassing all aspects of aging well, including physical, emotional, spiritual and social health for seniors with disabilities. Family and community education about meeting the needs of this growing population is also important. After studying how to approach aging and wellness, Jody Thomas, aging services manager, concluded that the agency s focus should be a holistic approach to aging well. Jody and nutritionist Marsha Fuller developed Food, Fun and Fitness when they decided to try combining a day program nutrition class with a fall prevention exercise class. The results were astounding the two topics together in one class were a more engaging way to promote health and wellness practices to seniors. Food, Fun and Fitness is now held every Thursday at the Salvation Army Community Center in Canandaigua. A group of about 35 community seniors and people with disabilities socialize together Sit-A-Spell offers daily exercise, crafts, music and lunch for seniors. while enjoying nutrition education, core muscle exercise, and healthy food sampling all centered on entertaining themes. Regular participation is high. So many of our folks have become part of the Salvation Army family, says Jody of the partnership programs, we have a huge amount of participation and so many positive relationships have blossomed. The program was launched with a grant from the Mary Clark Thompson Community Health Grant, and is now funded by the Salvation Army, the Ontario County Office of the Aging, and Ontario ARC. Sit-A-Spell is another key Aging Services program that emphasizes activities addressing the health, wellness and spirit of seniors. The senior-focused day program began in 2008 as a drop-in center, with daily exercise, crafts, music and lunch. Sit-A-Spell is held at locations in Canandaigua and in Geneva. The agency has given me the opportunity to research, take classes, and attend symposiums in order to bring back this information and teach our agency staff about aging well, says Jody, who also serves as chairperson of the education-based New York State Third Age Committee. Fall Prevention Initiative Falls are the leading cause of injury for seniors especially those with disabilities. Ontario ARC promotes fall prevention throughout Ontario County and has developed a Risk Assessment tool to screen individuals age 55+ in these key areas: 1. Environmental trip hazards, including lighting, steps, color contrasts, rugs, new living arrangements 2. Physical factors, including vision, hearing, balance, and changes in mobility 3. Psychological factors, including depression In 2012, a Mary Clark Thompson Community Health Grant partially funded the project Tool Kit to Prevent Falls. Equipment purchased to put these kits together includes balls, rhythm wands, maracas, batons and squeeze balls for use during exercise sessions which are geared to reduce falls, increase balance and mobility. The tool kits are used in agency residential houses, day program sites at Ontario ARC, and at The Brighter Day adult day service program.

5 ARCLife November/december 2013 Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 6 5 The Autism Center offers social skills groups for all ages The Autism Center at Ontario ARC offers programs designed to enhance social and communication skills while building self-esteem, confidence and independence of children, teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. We are pleased to offer these new social skills groups and programs. Social skills groups require OPWDD eligibility. There is no fee to attend. Ryuu ages 8-14 This non-competitive card game combines card collecting, fantasy worlds and role playing for meaningful and interactive learning. NextStep Prep men, ages Focus on understanding communication skills and increasing comfort levels in social situations. Girls Just Want To Have Fun girls, ages Adaptive yoga, autism movement therapy and relaxation techniques introduce exercise and promote a healthy lifestyle. Empower Yourself ages 18 and up Focus on organizing, planning and staying on track in everyday life. RESPECT: Healthy Love women, ages A Licensed Clinical Social Worker leads this group discussion on the basics of mature relationships in an open, relaxed environment. Power of Play, play therapy group ages 5-8 Through creative and magical activities, play therapy gives children an outlet to build stronger social and conversational skills. These programs are open to everyone and do not require OPWDD eligibility. There is a fee to attend these groups. Explore Your Inner Artist ages 18 and up 8 week sessions, $120 per session or $20 drop in. Participants use paint, canvas and brushes to create their vision and share their talents with the people around them. Leap Into Learning With The ipad ages week sessions, $100 per session. This interactive workshop introduces students to apps that can enhance math, science, social studies and language arts education. Participants must supply their own ipad. Includes a one-hour workshop for parents. SibShops ages 8-15 Once a month, $25. For siblings of children with disabilities. Peer support and guidance in both acknowledging the challenges and celebrating the best qualities about having a sibling with special needs. Feel The Beat ages week sessions, $60 per session or $15 drop in. These autism movement therapy classes offer one hour of music and movement designed to promote cognitive thinking, speech and language skills, academics and positive behavior. Offered in Victor and Canandaigua. To join a Social Skills group or any additional programs, contact Diane Van Derwater dvanderwater@ontarioarc.org or Visit the Autism Center online at ontarioarc.org/theautismcenter to learn more.

6 Ontario County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc County Complex Drive Canandaigua, New York Prsrt Std U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 780 Rochester, NY Honor Our Past Secure Our Future Include Ontario ARC in your will today. Your generous support gives individuals with disabilities both today and tomorrow endless opportunities to succeed and enjoy independent lives. To learn more about planned giving and other ways to support our agency, please contact Michele Wistner, director of development, at or