Your Help is Still Needed to Stop Funding Cuts

 

Thank you to everyone who has contacted your representatives in the New York State Senate and Assembly, and Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Our fight is not over yet!

Funding cuts are still being proposed and would drastically impact the programs and services that The Arc of Orleans County provides, along with the work of our sister chapters and other voluntary agencies. Please continue to contact your representatives by letter, phone, email, or petition, and tell them that you are opposed to these cuts. Your ongoing efforts are greatly appreciated!

 

Funding Cuts of 6% Proposed by Governor Cuomo
As you may have already heard, Governor Cuomo has proposed a 6% cut to all voluntary agencies funded by the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD.) This cut amounts to approximately $308,000 for The Arc of Orleans County. This is HUGE, and it will be challenging for the Agency to manage. The Arc's Management team is already working on developing a list of ideas of items to cut within an already lean budget. In addition, we need to advocate strongly with our Senators and Assemblymembers to reverse this devastating cut to our field. Your help is CRITICAL!!

Many of us are represented by NYS Senator George Maziarz and NYS Assemblymember Steve Hawley. They have been very supportive of The Arc's services and the Agency. Others have not been as supportive or we do not know their particular record on the issues. Letters of support to Senator Maziarz, Assemblyman Hawley, or your representatives are desparately needed to voice displeasure with this issue.

If you are interested in a sample letter of support, please email Denise Withey, Community Relations Specialist, at dwithey@arcoforleans.org. She will be happy to email you the letters. Please feel free to modify the letters as you see fit, remembering that any changes should be honest and respectful in nature.

Unsure of who your NYS Senator is? Click on the link below to the NYS Senate website. You will be prompted to include your address, which in turn will tell you who your Senator is, along with their contact information.
New York State Senate website

Unsure of who your NYS Assemblymember is? Below is the link to the NYS Assembly website. You will be asked to input your address, which in turn will give you your Assemblymember's contact information.
New York State Assembly website

If you need any help, please feel free to contact The Arc of Orleans County at 585-589-5516 and we will be glad to assist you. You are also welcome to call your elected officials rather than mailing letters.

On behalf of The Arc of Orleans County, Board of Directors, Agency staff, individuals supported, and their families - Thank you for your help and support of this very important advocacy effort. Please forward this email to your family and friends and ask for their support of this effort.

The Arc of Orleans County
122 Caroline Street, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5516 (phone) / 585-589-5669 (fax)
www.arcoforleans.org

Songs For NYSARC CD Available For Sale

The Songs for NYSARC campaign continues!  Songs for NYSARC is a joint effort of NYSARC and Musicians for a Cause.  It includes some of the best songs ever written about people with developmental disabilites and was created through a collaboration between talented artists and parents.   

You can purchase the Songs for NYSARC CD for just $5.00!!  CD's are available at The Arc's Community Relations Office, 122 Caroline Street, or Rainbow Preschool, 243 South Main Street, both in Albion.  Proceeds from the CD sale will benefit The Arc's Rainbow Preschool Program.

To learn more about the artists, hear the songs, or buy downloads to support our Chapter, visit
Songs for NYSARC/Arc of Orleans.  These inspiring songs help create awareness, so please share them with your friends.  We also have a goal to make one of the songs, "I Am", the first gold record inspired by people with disabilities. 
 
We hope these songs leave you with more awareness and compassion for people with developmental disabilities. 
 
Thanks to all who have supported this great cause - either by purchasing the song downloads or sharing this information with your family and friends!

Mark Your Calendars...with The Arc of Orleans County's April Events!

Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Nutri-Fair/Meals On Wheels
The Arc of Orleans County's Nutrition Program will be holding a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser on Thursday, April 11th, to benefit the Nutri-Fair/Meals On Wheels program. The dinner will run from 4:30 to 7:00 PM with unlimited spaghetti and a 50/50 raffle. The dinner will be held at the Nutri-Fair congregate site in Albion - 16 East Academy Street (south side.) Tickets for this delicious spaghetti dinner are only $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children under 10.
Call 589-7817 for ticket information. We hope to see you there! Buon appetito! 

"Jobs Within Reach" Annual Community Job Fair
Sponsored by The Arc of Orleans County's Career Ventures and Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, this Annual Community Job Fair is THE place to be if you are looking for employment.

 

This year's job fair will take place on Thursday, April 18th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the American Legion, 131 South Main Street, Albion. All are invited to attend!

"For the first time ever, we have every major manufacturer in Orleans County participating in the job fair." For those looking for work, please bring along plenty of resumes to hand out to prospective employers.

33rd Annual Best Friend Dinner & Annual Meeting

The Arc of Orleans County will be holding the 33rd Annual Best Friend Dinner and Annual Meeting on Friday, April 19th, at Hickory Ridge Golf and Country Club, Lynch Road, Holley.

This event will honor the Arc's 2012 Best Friend, Peggy Schreck, and many other award winners. Following the Awards and Annual Meeting, attendees will enjoy dancing to the sounds of Brad London Productions.

For more information on this event or to RSVP, please contact Denise Withey, Community Relations Specialist, at 585-589-5516 ext. 227 or by email at dwithey@arcoforleans.org

Thank You To Area Businesses Supporting Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month!

During the month of March, area businesses will have placards available in celebration of National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.  Purchase a placard in support of The Arc of Orleans County and people with developmental disabilities at one of these locations: 
 
Albion:
Fischer's News Stand
Pawlak's Save-A-Lot
Save On Beverage Center
 
Holley:
Pawlak's Save-A-Lot
 
Medina:
Case-Nic Cookies
Medina Savings & Loan
The Bank of Castile
The Shirt Factory Cafe

Employment Listing - 3/13/13 Speech/Lang Therapist or Speech Pathologist

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

                                                         

POSITION:               SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST OR SPEECH PATHOLOGIST  

                                    TEMPORARY & FULL TIME POSITIONS

 

REPORTS TO:          MANAGING SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

 

LOCATION:                RAINBOW PRESCHOOL – BATAVIA & ALBION

 

DUTIES:                     Provides Speech communication services, develops, implements  initiates an individual education program for each assigned student, communicates regularly with parents, staff and related services providers concerning each child’s needs.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST – College Graduate NYS Certification in Speech & Hearing or a Master’s Degree in Pathology.  One year experience in teaching and therapy are preferred.

 

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST - Master’s degree in Speech Pathology & NYS Licensure as a Speech Pathologist.  Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds, possess a valid NYS driver’s license and become certified in CPR & First Aid.

 

           

STARTING RATE:  SPEECH/LANGUAGE THERAPIST : $27,975 Annual Base Rate  $17.76/Hour plus $40 per graduate credit hour up to 36.

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST :  $31,607 Annual Base Rate  $20.07/Hour plus $40 per  graduate credit hour up to 36.

 

Interested candidates should submit a resume by 3/20/13 to:

CAROL FOX

THE ARC OF ORLEANS COUNTY

P. O. BOX 439

ALBION, NY 14411

 

E-MAIL ADDRESS:      cfox@arcoforleans.org                               FAX #:  (585) 589-5669

 

THE ARC OF ORLEANS COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

 

 

Posted: 3/13/13

 

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month - Join Us In Celebration

What is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month?
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5613 declaring March as National Developmental Disablities Awareness Month.  This was done through advocacy efforts of The Arc (then known as The Arc of the U.S.) 
 
President Reagan stated in the proclamation: "New opportunities have been created through the efforts of those with developmental disabilities and their family members, along with professionals and officials at all levels of government. Working together, they have brought about significant changes in the public perception of young people and adults with developmental disabilities, opening new doors to independent and productive lives."  To read Proclamation 5613 in full, please click here:  Proclamation 5613.
 
Many changes and improvements have been made in the last twenty-five years, but there is still much to do to improve the lives of individuals with developmental and other disabilities.  The Arc of Orleans County asks that you join us in celebratation of the individuals that we support as they fulfill their hopes and dreams.

Facts about Developmental Disabilities
Developmental disabilities begin anytime during the developmental period and usually last throughout a person's lifetime.  Most begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth due to an injury, infection, or other factors.
 
Developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.  Recent estimates in the US show that about one in six, or about 15%, of children aged 3 through 17 years of age have one or more developmental disability. 
 
Having a disability does not mean that a person is not healthy or that he or she cannot be healthy.  Being healthy means the same thing for ALL of us - getting and staying well so that we can lead full, active lives.
 
Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving "bye-bye" are called developmental milestones.  Children develop at their own pace, so it's impossible to tell exactly when a child will learn a new skill.  If your child is not meeting the milestones for his or her age, or if you think there is a problem with your child's development, talk with your child's doctor or health care provider and share your concerns.  Don't wait!! 
 
Information above provided by the Center for Disease Control.  The CDC is a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services.  For more information, articles, multimedia and tools, go to: Center for Disease Control website - Developmental Disabilities Homepage.

Thank You for your Support!

Thank you to everyone that came out and supported The Stuffed Chicken Breast Dinner at the Arc's Nutrition Program - Nutri-Fair/Meals on Wheels last night, Thursday, February 28th.

Your support and generosity are truly appreciated!

Dave Bellucci Honored at Open House

      (Kellie Spychalski, Executive Director; David Bellucci, Operations Manager)

Dave Bellucci, Retiring Operations Manager of The Arc's Orleans Enterprises, was honored this past Wednesday, February 27th for his 13 years of exemplary service to the Agency and people with developmental and other disabilities.  The Arc held an open house where individuals served, staff, businesses and the community could bid a fond farewell to Dave. 

Thank you Dave for a job well done!  You will be missed.  Happy Retirement!

Dave is pictured above passing the torch to the new Operations Manager of Orleans Enterprises, Michael DiSalvo.

Your Help is Critical !!

Funding Cuts of 6% Proposed by Governor Cuomo
As you may have already heard, Governor Cuomo has proposed a 6% cut to all voluntary agencies funded by the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD.)  This cut amounts to approximately $308,000 for The Arc of Orleans County.  This is HUGE, and it will be challenging for the Agency to manage.  The Arc's Management team is already working on developing a list of ideas of items to cut within an already lean budget.  In addition, we need to advocate strongly with our Senators and Assemblymembers to reverse this devastating cut to our field.  Your help is CRITICAL!!
 
Many of us are represented by NYS Senator George Maziarz and NYS Assemblymember Steve Hawley.  They have been very supportive of The Arc's services and the Agency.  Others have not been as supportive or we do not know their particular record on the issues.  Letters of support to Senator Maziarz, Assemblyman Hawley, or your representatives are desparately needed to voice displeasure with this issue.
 
If you are interested in a sample letter of support, please email Denise Withey, Community Relations Specialist, at dwithey@arcoforleans.org.  She will be happy to email you the letters.  Please feel free to modify the letters as you see fit, remembering that any changes should be honest and respectful in nature.

Unsure of who your NYS Senator is?  Click on the link below to the NYS Senate website.  You will be prompted to include your address, which in turn will tell you who your Senator is, along with their contact information.  
New York State Senate website

Unsure of who your NYS Assemblymember is?  Below is the link to the NYS Assembly website.  You will be asked to input your address, which in turn will give you your Assemblymember's contact information.
New York State Assembly website
 
If you need any help, please feel free to contact The Arc of Orleans County at 585-589-5516 and we will be glad to assist you.  You are also welcome to call your elected officials rather than mailing letters. 

On behalf of The Arc of Orleans County, Board of Directors, Agency staff, individuals supported, and their families - Thank you for your help and support of this very important advocacy effort.  Please forward this email to your family and friends and ask for their support of this effort.
 
The Arc of Orleans County
122 Caroline Street, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5516 (phone) / 585-589-5669 (fax)
www.arcoforleans.org