Arc Advance
Leaders aren’t born. They’re made.
Arc Advance will partner with you to build and facilitate the right program for you and your team.
Arc Advance Academy Training Center
The Arc Advance Academy is the first of its kind in New York State – a fully functional training center created to ensure all Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) at the frontline of supporting people with developmental disabilities are fully skilled to empower the people they support to lead fulfilling and independent lives. The interactive training center features all the amenities of an actual home: kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, and bathroom, along with classroom space, state-of-the art technology and a virtual reality lab. DSPs will be trained through a variety of interactive and hands-on lessons. Veteran staff will also receive refreshers on a variety of topics.
Employees hired at The Arc as DSPs will spend 15 training days in the lab immersed in a curriculum built from the DSP Core Competencies. These values-based competencies and skills are the foundation of person-centered supports for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
At The Arc, we are fully committed to the over 1,500 adults that receive services from us, and we know this comprehensive training will leave our staff better prepared to fully support them. Being a DSP is more than work. It’s a way to grow meaningful relationships through compassionate support and interaction, while also having a chance to grow professionally while making a difference every day. A fulfilling and rewarding career starts at The Arc Advance Academy.
- Kitchen
- Laundry room
- Bedroom
- Bathroom
- Classroom space
- State-of-the-Art technology
- Virtual Reality Lab
Imagine Yourself as a Direct Support Professional
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are at the frontline of supporting people with developmental disabilities, empowering them to lead fulfilling and independent lives. From helping someone learn skills and providing hands-on support to having fun with friends and going out into the community, every day is different as a DSP. It’s more than work — it’s a chance to grow professionally while making a difference every day.
Click the careers button to learn more about becoming a DSP!
Arc AdvanceLeadership & Professional Development
Arc Advance leadership & professional development opportunities are grounded in the core beliefs that everyone is a leader, whether or not you have a formal title. We believe that learning experiences must be interactive & customized to focus on creating long-term, positive behavior change.
Topics available include:
- Courageous Conversations
- Conducting Effective 1:1s
- Creating a Culture of Appreciation
- Effective Communication
- Leadership & Communication
- Trauma Informed Care and Resiliency
- Change Management
- Language of our Work and World
- Strategies for Retention
- Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions
- Embracing Change
- Customized Trainings Available by Request
- Team Building Sessions
EQ Coaching
EQ Coaching, which is a shortened reference to Emotional intelligence coaching, is a type of coaching that focuses on developing one’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.
There are a variety of reasons one might pursue emotional intelligence coaching; including to become a better communicator, improve interpersonal relationships, increase self-awareness, increase empathy, or become a more successful leader in the workplace. Learning emotional intelligence through Arc Advance helps people identify their personal and professional goals and create a plan of action to master the necessary skills to achieve these goals.
EQ Testing
Arc AdvanceCourse Descriptions:
Courageous Conversations – This session walks through the steps to lead conversations we never like or want to have. Attendees will not only learn how to approach the discussion, but also how to handle the variety of responses they may receive.
Conducting Effective 1:1s – An important factor to retention is the relationship one develops with the employees they support. This session gives the learner strategies to conduct effective 1:1 conversations to build rapport as well as gain trust.
Creating a Culture of Appreciation – Everyone likes to be seen and appreciated for a job well done. This course will offer ways in which leaders can develop a culture of appreciation as well as how to avoid the pitfalls of falling short of their intention.
Leadership and Communication – This interactive session not only highlights the top qualities of leadership, but also focuses on how effective (or ineffective) communication can impact the message.
Trauma Informed Care and Building Resiliency – In this course, the concept, history and practice of Trauma Informed Care is discussed as well as strategies to support teams in building resiliency.
Change Management – Change within an organization doesn’t happen without planning, work, and communication. This session will review the necessary steps to implement organizational change in a way that builds buy-in rather than resistance.
The Language of our Work and World – Like many things, language evolves with time. In this session, we will discuss the changes to language as it pertains to the field of disabilities, as well as provide the learner with the most up to date vocabulary that demonstrates respect for those we support.
Strategies for Retention – This session will take the attendees back to some of the basics of leadership, and the various stages to improve employee retention.
Recognizing and Responding to Microaggressions – In the pursuit of growth and inclusion, we must also be able to recognize the ways in which progress can be deterred without intention. This session will explore what microaggressions are and how best to address them when noted.
Embracing Change – Change can be difficult, but when seen through a lens of possibility, it is achievable. This course works to reframe the typical perception of change to one of opportunity!
Melody Johnson
Senior Director of Learning & Development/Arc Advance
(585) 271-0660, ext 1367
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Certified EQ Coach
- Certified Change Practitioner
- BS in Psychology – SUNY Geneseo
- Minor in Organization and Occupation Behavior
- Master’s in Management – Roberts Wesleyan College
- Certificate in Non-Profit Leadership