(Left-Right): Tom Ruf, Justine DeLuca, Hannah Brown, and Kaleb King.

Geneseo – When college seniors Hannah Brown, Justine DeLuca, Kaleb King, and Tom Ruf walk across the Wadsworth Auditorium stage as part of the Ella Cline Shear School of Education Convocation on Friday, May 11th, they will look back on their college years as the time of their LIVES.

“We’re excited because we’ve been working for this for the past four years, but we’re nervous because we are leaving behind part of ourselves,” explains Kaleb, who will earn a place in SUNY Geneseo history as a member of the first graduating class of the LIVES Program.

LIVES, which stands for Learning Independence, Vocational, and Educational Skills, allows a close-knit group of students with disabilities to experience the academic and social aspects of university life while preparing for careers that fit their interests and skill sets.

Since entering the LIVES Program as freshmen, Hannah, Justine, Kaleb, and Tom have blossomed under the guidance of LIVES Teacher Danielle Everts and Life Skills Assistant Sue Sullivan, discovering and working toward career goals—and finding out that their aspirations aren’t so different from their non-disabled counterparts.  Kaleb is pursuing a career as a graphic designer, Hannah will work at a school, Justine will enter the world of retail, and Tom aspires to work in a restaurant.

The LIVES Program is made up of students who are diagnosed with developmental or intellectual disabilities, such as Down Syndrome or Autism.  Upon acceptance into the program, each student participates in an individualized diagnostic assessment. Based on these assessments, and information from students regarding their individual goals and needs, a plan of study is developed.  At the end of a successful four-year term, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion at commencement.

LIVES students are routinely found auditing traditional classes, participating in tests and homework assignments, and partaking in placements that are similar to internships.  According to Justine, they live pretty typical college lives, with experiences that mirror those of their non-disabled peers.

“I was a very shy person when I first started college,” she explains.  “I would have trouble talking to even one person. Now I’ve learned that it’s okay to share how I feel.  Music really helped me to get out of my shell.”

Justine’s breakthrough came when she audited a dance/yoga class, where she felt comfortable expressing her creativity.  Soon, she was actively participating in all types of group presentations with her LIVES peers.  Justine’s increased confidence led to a placement in the SUNY Geneseo mailroom, where she found her groove sorting and delivering mail throughout campus.

Upon graduation, Justine will put those skills to work as a clerk at Finders Keepers, a Mount Morris thrift store operated by The Arc of Livingston-Wyoming, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit agency that provides services for individuals with disabilities.

Hannah will also find employment at a branch of The Arc, as a helper at KidStart, the agency’s children’s services program.  She will work there part-time after graduation while pursuing her GED and earning First Aid certifications.  At the end of the 15-month GED program, she hopes to secure a full-time job as a KidStart aide.

The LIVES Program enabled Hannah to gain experience in her chosen field through placements in the Schoolof Educationand a practicum at GeneseoCentralSchool.  Hannah cites Geneseo Professor Annmarie Urso’s Classroom Management class as an inspiration for her career pursuits.

“This is an upper division undergraduate class on how to manage a classroom,” Dr. Urso explains.  “Hannah participated eagerly, was a good cooperative partner on in-class activities, and added to our class. Having a GED will open up several opportunities for her.”

At 55 years old, Tom is among SUNY Geneseo’s oldest graduating students.  While he aspires to work in the field of food service, the LIVES experience itself was the culmination of a lifelong dream.

“Tom’s goal since I started working with him was always to go back to school,” says Kathy Grant, who supervises an Arc-operated group home inAvon where Tom lives.  “Even though Tom is a non-traditional student in terms of age, he has been a committed participant these past four years.  Tom rarely misses a day of school, and he looks forward to going each and every day. I believe that being on the campus keeps his mind and body sharp.”

Kaleb entered the LIVES Program with an aptitude for art, which he was able to refine by mastering Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other computer design tools.  Since joining the LIVES Program, he has illustrated political cartoons for SUNY Geneseo’s student newspaper, The Lamron; his art has been displayed at the College Union Gallery; and he designed the logo that represents the LIVES Program.  His immediate post-college design ambitions include freelance work for Rochester-based Rhino’s Pizzeria.

“My advice to the future LIVES students is to be true to yourself, never question the things that matter to you, and always be flexible when it comes to change,” Kaleb says.

The LIVES Program strives to admit 8-10 new students each year.  The program is funded through a collaborative partnership with the college, The Arc, Genesee Valley Educational Partnership (GVEP),  and Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office.  It was conceived by SUNY Geneseo Assistant Dean for Disability Services Tabitha Buggie-Hunt and Professor Elizabeth Hall, who are optimistic for the future of the program and its quartet of 2012 graduates.

“While the program is still a work in progress as I suppose all programs are, I am very pleased with the strides our students have made in the areas of academics, socialization and independence,” Dr. Buggie-Hunt says.  “I am, however, most gratified and surprised by the way each student has really blossomed in his or her ability to self-advocate and make career decisions.  All of our graduates will be pursuing work that suits their interests and abilities, and we could not ask for anything better than that.”

“Cyber Liability”

Why would my chapter need Cyber Liability Coverage?

A large majority of non-profit and social service executive directors, boards of directors and risk managers are not aware that their standard insurance coverage’s (Commercial GL, Property, D&O, crime) typically don’t provide proper coverage for cyber liability. Most employees and IT professionals don’t know that they (along with their organization) have an exposure to cyber risks and how that exposure can pose a significant financial threat to their organization.

You have two options to attend:

February 2nd, 2012 – 10:00 AM Register Now (February 2nd)

February 9th, 2012 – 2:00 PM Register Now (February 9th)

Mark was the former Troy Mayor, held a top job with the State Comptroller, and was a Rensselaer ARC employee.  His late parents, Eli and Ned, were prominent in NYSARC and government.  His mother was NYSARC’s President from 1978 to 1982.  His father, Ned Pattison, was the former congressman from Rensselaer County.

Read the full article

Illinois Governor signs bills to keep institutions open and save state jobs

Gov. Pat Quinn signed off on legislation today that will prevent the closing of seven state institutions, saving about 1,900 jobs.

“After working closely with the General Assembly this veto session, we reached a bipartisan budget agreement that achieves the goal of keeping the seven state facilities slated for closure open throughout this fiscal year using existing state resources,” reads a statement from Quinn’s office.

Read the full article

National News

Courtesy The Arc’s “Capital Insider.”

FY 2012 Appropriations

Congress passes FY 2012 spending package, disability-related programs mostly level funded with a few facing small cuts or increases

After intense negotiations, Democrats and Republicans signed off on a $1 trillion spending bill to keep the government funded through September 2012. Both chambers approved the bill only hours before the federal government was facing a shutdown on December 16. The funding bill sets government spending for the year at $1.043 trillion, a level agreed to in the Budget Control Act enacted in August that raised the nation’s legal borrowing limit. The figure represents an overall 1.5% drop in spending from Fiscal Year 2011.  The funding bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and related agencies, which funds the vast majority of disability-related discretionary programs, was included in the $1 trillion, nine-bill spending omnibus.

Click here to see how specific disability-related programs fared in the Fiscal Year 2012 appropriations package.

Education – Negotiators unable to move forward on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) reform

Bipartisan talks regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) (sometimes referred to as No Child Left Behind (NCLB)) have come to a halt. Senior members of the House leadership have not confirmed that the discussions have ended, but press reports indicate that negotiators have been unable to move forward.

Several bills have been introduced in the Senate that would amend ESEA.  Proposals include requiring interventions in only the lowest performing 5% of schools and allowing any student with a disability to be assessed with alternate assessments rather than the regular assessments given to other students (S. 1571) and removing the Secretary of Education’s ability to put conditions on waiver requests (S. 1567, S 1568, and S. 1569).  The Arc is monitoring these developments closely since the NCLB law is considered to have been the source of some improvements in the education of students with disabilities.

Health Care – Department of Health and Human Services release critical guidance on health care law

On Friday, the Administration released guidance to states on establishing the essential benefits package that will be offered in the health insurance exchanges that will be established in 2014. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) intends to develop regulations based on this guidance which is open for public comment until January 30. HHS is offering the states considerable flexibility in designing the benefit package. The state must choose a benchmark plan from among several options including the largest small group insurance plan in the state, the state employees’ health insurance plan, the federal employees’ health insurance plan, or the largest HMO in the state. If a service such as habilitation or children’s dental services which are required by the Affordable Care Act are not included in the benchmark plan, the state must develop a plan to cover that service. The issue of cost sharing in the plans is not addressed by this guidance. HHS is responding to the pressure from states who wanted information on the essential benefits in order to develop their state exchanges. The lack of specificity in the guidance will likely mean that the benefits included will vary by state.  The Arc is reviewing the guidance and will be submitting comments to HHS in January.

Employment – Proposed Rule on Minimum Wage and Overtime Protections for In-Home Care Workers

On December 15, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that it intends to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would provide minimum wage and overtime protections for nearly two million workers who provide in-home care services.  The proposal would revise the companionship and live-in worker regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act to more clearly define the tasks that may be performed by an exempt companion, and to limit the companionship exemption to companions employed only by the family or household using the services.  In addition, the Department proposes that third party employers, such as in-home care staffing agencies, could not claim the companionship exemption or the overtime exemption for live-in domestic workers, even if the employee is jointly employed by the third party and the family or household.  The proposed rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register.

Click here for more information

Health Care – The Supreme Court will hear arguments on President Obama’s healthcare reform law early next year

From March 26-28, the U. S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about the Affordable Care Act.  Normally a case is given an hour for argument, however, due to the consolidation of five cases and the coverage of four critical issues,  the Court has scheduled five and a half hours of argument over a 3 day period.

Employment – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission settlement

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) settled an employment discrimination lawsuit against King Soopers, a grocery store chain operated by Kroger. King Soopers will pay $80,000 to an employee who worked in a store in Lakewood, Colorado. Store managers bullied and taunted the employee because of his intellectual disability which eventually led to his termination from employment. The company will provide training in the Americans with Disabilities Act to all of its managers.

Read the EEOC press release

John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, shares an inspirational story of "Overcoming Obstacles" with the audience

The 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention officially wrapped up on Saturday morning. With almost 500 people in attendance, it was one of our biggest, and most successful, conventions ever.

Working under our Convention theme, “Advocacy in Action: Moving Forward,” speakers shared stories of struggles, perseverance, and finding success. For example, at the Media and Employer of the Year Awards Luncheon, guest speaker John Robinson, Founder and CEO of Our Ability, Inc., made us laugh and inspired us by sharing his story of “Overcoming Obstacles.”

Following two screenings and an exclusive Q&A session, the stars of Wretches and Jabberers delivered a powerful keynote, highlighted by Tracy and Larry’s message that we all have something to say.

Board of Governors and Committee meetings focused on important and critical issues for NYSARC, Inc., the field, and our future. Workshops and plenary sessions allowed attendees the opportunity to hear from some of the leading experts and raise important questions that couldn’t be answered anywhere else.

Attendees network and share ideas at the Convention

Perhaps most importantly, our decision to expand our Convention to Thursday paid dividends. By focusing on programs for direct support professionals (DSPs) and self-advocates, we created invaluable networking opportunities that never existed before. Self-advocacy groups from NYSARC and from the Autism Society of the Greater Capital Region were able to get together and discuss important issues. Additionally, seminars on the Code of Ethics and End-of-Life Decision-Making for Self-Advocates provided excellent training and educational opportunities.

In the coming months, we look forward to hearing how our Chapters, staff, and advocates use the new ideas and tools that were presented at the Convention in their work. We also hope that new friends and professional contacts remain in touch and that the NYSARC family is better prepared to respond to the challenges of the future than it was before.

Convention Links

Throughout the Convention, many awards were handed out to volunteers, staff, employers, and self-advocates | View a Complete Listing of Award Winners

Outstanding Chapter Newsletters and members of the media were also recognized | View a Listing of Media and Quill Award Winners

Visit the 62nd Annual NYSARC, Inc. Convention Photo Gallery on Facebook

The workshop will feature 15 speakers in morning and afternoon sessions on Monday, November 7, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the Herkimer County Community College’s  Hummel Corporate and Professional Education Center, Reservoir Road in Herkimer, NY. The cost is $5 per person which includes lunch.

Presenters will address subjects dealing with what’s best for students, ages 14 to 21, with intellectual, developmental, learning, and physical disabilities, and Autism during the high school transition process and after graduation. Section presentations include: “Future Financial Planning & Government Benefits,” “High School Years & Graduation,” “Empowering People & Making Meaningful Connections,” “Creating a Family Care Notebook,” “Finding Services & Gaining Access,” “What Happens When? Planning for the Future,” “Seeking Employment Goals & Opportunities,” “Self-Advocacy and Person-Centered Planning,” “Thinking of College After Graduation?” and “Guardianship Process: What Happens After 18?”

Organizations sending presenters include: ACCES-VR, Herkimer ARC, Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES, Mass Mutual Financial Group, NYS Commission on Quality Care & Advocacy  for People with Disabilities (CQCAPD), New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), and Parent to Parent of NYS.

The New York State Department of Labor Emerging and Transitional Worker Training Program awarded the Herkimer ARC’s Career Connections division a $245,036 grant to assist low income, unemployed individuals, ages 18 years and older, to obtain training, education, employment or to advance their careers.

Turning Point partners included Working Solutions One Stop Career Center-Herkimer County; New York State Department of Corrections; Herkimer County Department of Social Services; Herkimer County BOCES; and Herkimer County Community College.

Herkimer ARC President/CEO Kevin Crosley, left, Robin Mattox, Employment Services manager, Valerie Everson and Deb Rogers, participants, Kaycie Beekman, instructor, Dawn Jaycox-Weeks, evaluator, and Kathy Leslie, Career Connections director

Herkimer ARC President/CEO Kevin Crosley explained that the results of the program have been meaningful to the individuals participating. “I am so proud of our Career Connections staff and the individuals who participated in the Turning Point program as their successes have been outstanding. Our goal was to assist economically disadvantaged and unemployed or under-employed people in Herkimer County. Over a year-long period, the grant required we serve 50 participants—Career Connections staff served 96 participants. We helped to make important changes in individuals’ lives such as enrolling 11 people in a trade school or college, and working with 18 participants to obtain their GEDs. Staff helped 30 participants find employment—jobs they were able to keep for over 90 days. These numbers reflect the true compassion and dedication of our staff and partners to help individuals who have struggled in the areas of searching for a job, training or education.”

Career Connections assists people with disabilities and others in the community, who are seeking employment to achieve meaningful work based on each person’s needs, desires, and abilities. Career Connections is located in the Herkimer Commons Mall at 125-127 E. Albany Street in Herkimer. Walk-ins are welcome.

In particular, The Alfred Z. Solomon Media & Computer Training Center will provide technical assistance, support and training by utilizing specialized software and adaptive hardware. Likewise it will enhance speech, physical and occupational therapies. Also the Alfred Z. Solomon Media & Computer Training Center will be available for their employees to offer training on the most updated equipment, improve quality, efficiency and productivity.

Computers have significant and profound benefits for individuals with developmental disabilities. Outcomes include increasing self-esteem and self-confidence, improving communication skills and literacy aptitudes, creating new interests and activities, developing additional and enhanced competencies and providing a rich, fun learning environment. This will greatly improve their quality of life, encourage independence and increase productivity. For employees, their hope is to boost morale, reduce turnover, eliminate paperwork and increase communication skills to greatly improve service delivery.

Saratoga Gaming and Raceway and SEFCU both donated $2,500 for their most under-funded program, Family Support Services. This is essential for the over 200 families who have a loved one with a disability living at home. Saratoga Bridges becomes their lifeline by offering invaluable services that greatly enhance their lives including Respite, Family Care, Recreation & Social activities, Sibshops, Reimbursement, Guardianship, Specialized Autism Support Services and Parent Workshops.

For more than 55 years, Saratoga Bridges has been providing programs for people with developmental disabilities and their families. They remain steadfast in their ability to offer the highest level of lifetime services to 800 people, by promoting their abilities, contributions and achievements in every aspect of community life.

Parents are sometimes confused by the diagnosis and frustrated with the lack of support or services for their son or daughter, and The Arc has been faced with increasing challenges in this area.

Recognizing that the number of children identified in both schools and The Arc of Schuyler’s early intervention program as having an autism spectrum disorder is rising as well as the need for support, three members of The Arc’s staff recently completed the second part of a two part professional development series on autism spectrum disorders, which focused on enhancing the knowledge of best practices in program development for individuals who have autism spectrum disorders. Sheila Levey, Director of Clinical Services, Nikole Piper, Director of Service Coordination, and Jason Santobianco, Director of Day and Community Supports attended the 16 week series that was instructed by Caroline Magyar, PhD, associate professors of Pediatrics and Director of the Rochester Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

“It is clear that individuals with autism spectrum disorders will continue to be supported by our organization and most likely in much greater numbers”, said James Wilson, executive director of The Arc of Schuyler. “We need to be responsive and prepared for this need.”

Participants increased their knowledge and understanding of autism spectrum disorders and learned about current evidence-based practices, which have emerged as a result of available research on autism spectrum disorders to date. Staff from Schuyler concentrated on the development of an agency wide training program while some teams focused on program development or program specific training. The Arc is continuing to explore ways that the organization can utilize and interact on a continuing basis with Dr. Magyar and the regional center.

The program was supported by the Collaborative of the Finger Lakes, a collaboration between the eleven Arc Chapters in the Finger Lakes region that span a geographic area of thirteen counties. All of The Arc Chapters had three staff participate in teams.

The Arc of Schuyler is a non-profit organization providing supports and services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorders. For more information about The Arc of Schuyler, visit www.arcofschuyler.org or call 607-535-6934.