What is Person-Centered Language?

Advocacy

Think of a time when you typed up an email or posted a comment on Facebook really fast. Before you hit send, you looked it over and thought “wow, that’s now how I wanted that to come across.”  You then found yourself going back and typing it all over again to send your message in the way it was intended. While the intentions in your remarks probably weren’t negative, the words that you used set the wrong tone for what you were trying to say.  Thinking about what you’re saying and how you’re saying are huge components of person-centered language. …

SummerFest: A History

Uncategorized

The very first “SummerFest”, or known back then as “Client Day”, was held on September 3, 1986.  This annual tradition was started by Eunice Hanson.  She had a vision that the event would be an opportunity for parents and family members of people supported, staff, community leaders, members of the Board of Directors to come together each year to celebrate people supported by the agency.  Mrs. Hanson noted that the day would serve as one to honor the “real heart and soul of the agency” –  people who receive services or reside in one of The Arc’s residences. From 1986 …

Guardianship: What is it?

Programs and Services

The Arc of Monroe is Primary Guardian for over 30 people, most of whom live in our residential homes!  We are the second largest Arc Guardianship program in NYS, second only to Westchester County.  Our Guardianship program is used a a model program with other Arc chapters.  New Guardianship advocates from across the state are sent to us for mentoring which is a huge compliment. When some people think about people with disabilities having a Guardian, they many times picture mom and dad having “control” over their son or daughter’s lives.  This is NOT what Arc Guardianships are all about. The …

Peter Dancer

Whose Job Is Quality?

Staff Perspectives

Quality. Excellence. Satisfaction. As customers, these are things we expect, whether we’re at Walmart, Starbucks, riding a city bus, or getting our favorite ice cream cone on a hot day. While sometimes hard to clearly define, it’s kind of a, “I know it when I see it” sort of a thing. The people we support expect the same things when the look to us for support: Quality. Excellence. Satisfaction. So whose job is quality anyway? Sure, we have a quality department. But does that mean that this team is solely responsible for ensuring that some 1700 people we support feel …

Karen Oliveri

Meaningful Work

Staff Perspectives

As part of my interview I was taken to Community Arts Connections and met a person we support named Emily.  She was so excited to meet me that it brought tears to my eyes.  How many times have you had that happen at an interview?  I knew immediately that The Arc of Monroe was the perfect place for me to work. Now every time I see Emily she runs up to me, smiling, and says hello.  It really tugs at my hearts strings and this is exactly why I am here, to support Emily and everyone else, in any way …

Nutrition, summer grilling, and physical activity

Staff Perspectives

As a Diet Technician in the residences, wellness is promoted through improved eating, nutrition education, and training for staff and people we support.  I do on-site observations, collaboration with teams, and staff guidance. Nutrition plans are often tailored to treat particular diseases and conditions.  The ultimate goal is promoting health and healing to prevent illnesses, in tandem with administration, house managers and supervisors. Diet and Nutrition Many adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities have poor nutrition, low physical activity and weight fluctuations. I am always aiming to help the team strategize and evaluate a health intervention system to improve diet and …

The Arc of Monroe awards, achievements and partnerships

What's In The News

The Arc of Monroe presented awards at the annual meeting on June 27th, 2018. It was an opportunity to celebrate a year together, full of accomplishments and appreciation. At this meeting several awards were presented to people we support, our staff, and our community and business partners. Click here to view the presentation of awards. 2018 Weckesser Awards Presented to Carrie Saurini The Weckesser Award recognizes the overall achievements of a person, the barriers/challenges which he/she has overcome, and the positive impact they have had on others. In 1998 the Weckesser Family established the Weckesser award as a means to …

Nick Wagar

Credentialing program changes perspective

Staff Perspectives

When I received the offer to take the Direct Support Professional (DSP) credentialing class, I thought it would be very easy and plain sailing. Even though I had just started in this field I thought I had it all figured out! Well, I was wrong. Every day is different.  Everyone’s goals and aspirations are different. I learned a lot about person centered care, and it sticks out a lot more to me now. The Direct Support Professional credentialing program not only reminded me to respect the people I support, but to treat people with dignity.  It means being aware of …

RIT Enrichment offers a one-week inclusive exerience

Programs and Services

The Arc of Monroe, a not-for-profit organization supporting people with disabilities in Monroe County, was awarded $15,000 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services.  A portion of the grant goes towards recreation programs like The Arc of Monroe’s James M. Papero Enrichment Program at the Rochester Institute of Technology. For 26 years, the Arc of Monroe has provided a week-long inclusive experience for adults with developmental disabilities in partnership with RIT.  The five-day, overnight summer program which ran 6/25 – 6/29 included classes taught by faculty and student volunteers from RIT, staff from The Arc of …

End of Life Care and Choices

Staff Perspectives

End of life decisions are frightening, confusing and sometimes difficult to understand, yet they are so important to not only the person, but for those who love and care for them.  For so many of the people we support, we ARE their family.  We are the ones who love and care for them during critical illness and death.  The people we support are aging and many of us find ourselves helping these people and their families deal with terminal illness and death.  This is happening even when we have little to no experience ourselves with these challenges. So, what are …