April is Autism Awareness Month!

The Autism Society, a national grassroots organization advocating for improvement of lives of individuals effected by autism, declared the first Autism Awareness Month in 1970.


This month aims to bring more focus to their and other organizations efforts to educate the public about autism and advocate for appropriate services and information.


From the Autism Society: "Autism is a complex mental condition and developmental disability, characterized by difficulties in the way a person communicates and interacts with other people. Autism can be be present from birth or form during early childhood (typically within the first three years). Autism is a lifelong developmental disability with no single known cause. People with autism are classed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the terms autism and ASD are often used interchangeably. A wide spectrum disorder, people will autism have set of symptoms unique to themselves; no two people are the same."


There are many other organizations that give support, information, and advocacy opportunities. Feel free to explore the following links for more information!

 

National Autism Association

Autism Society

Autism Society WNY

Autism Services of WNY

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

Autistic Women’s Network

Parenting Autistic Children with Love & Acceptance (Facebook Community, an intentional community that provides a safe space for Autistic people in order to help parents learn from them)

The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism (blog, from autistic people, professionals, and parents)

Last and certainly not least, if you are or a loved one is affected by Autism, here at the Arc of Orleans County, we have an Autism Support Group that meets the last Wednesday of every month. For more information on the support group and other ASD supports through the Agency, contact Kristen Ostrander, Educational Advocate, at (585) 589-1750 extension 2231 or kostrander@arcoforleans.org.

Spaghetti Dinner on April 7th

Join us at 16 East Academy Street for a Spaghetti Dinner to benefit the Nutri-Fair and Meals on Wheels programs. The dinner with be April 7th from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Dinner includes unlimited spaghetti, salad, Italian bread and your choice of coffee, tea, lemonade, iced tea, and water.

Take outs are available, or eat in. Tickets are $9 for adults, children under 10 eat for $5.

The Arc of Orleans County Receives Grant From NYSARC, Inc. Trust

The Trustees of the NYSARC, Inc. Trust have approved a remainder fund grant of $12,500 per chapter to provide recreational opportunities for people they support.  Last year the Chapter received a similar grant from NYSARC Trust Services.  103 of our individuals were able to benefit from the 2015 funding. The grant was utilized for many outings as well as for additional recreational activities that the individuals we serve wouldn’t have been able to otherwise have without this funding.  They were able to go to several Rochester Red Wings Games, go ice skating, and take a trip to the Corning Glass Center.  They were able to purchase a basketball hoop, craft supplies and a television for several of our residential sites.  Several holiday parties and a Harvest Festival were held for our individuals as well. The Arc of Orleans County plans to use the funds in the same fashion this year.   

In addition, remainder fund grants totaling $ 2,302,500 awarded to support NYSARC guardianship programs statewide.  A total of $2,980,000 in remainder grants was awarded in 2016 to support recreation and guardianship statewide. NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts that enable people with disabilities to remain in their home and community while retaining Medicaid services and other government benefits.   Information is available on how NYSARC Trust Services may benefit you:  our website www.nysarctrustservices.org , phone 1-518-439-8323, toll free phone 1-800-735-8924 or e-mail info@nysarctrustservices.org. 

 

 

American Red Cross Blood Drive March 28th!

The Arc of Orleans County Hosts Second Blood Drive in 2016

Blood Drive to Benefit

American Red Cross

 

 

Did you know that 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives!

The Arc of Orleans County will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, March 28th

The Blood Drive will be held in the 2nd floor conference room at the Arnold Gregory complex, 243 South Main Street, Albion, from 10 am to 2 pm. 

If you are interested in donating blood, please contact Darlene Golson, Community Relations Manager, at 589-5516 ext. 228, to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome!!

For more on the Red Cross and how you can help those in need, go to: American Red Cross website

 

March is Developmental Disabilities Month!

See the Potential.

In 1987 President Ronald Reagan proclaimed March as "Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month." In the early 1970s, the public became more aware of a need for significant social change and the deinstitutionalization movement gained ground. Americans were encouraged by the presidential proclamation that people with developmental disabilities should not be kept from "realizing their full potential in school, at work or at home, as members of their families and of their communities."

It's been nearly 30 years since the proclamation, many steps have been taken, but there is still much to do.

Within our own agency, in just the past few years we've seen some big changes to some of our programs. A highlight of these challenges and changes is seen in our Supported Employment Program.

There have been many changes to laws and regulations regarding supported employment in the past few years. This has changed some of what we have been able to offer, but also given us opportunities to branch out and seek different options and ideas.

Supported Employment has seen a dream come true recently in the opening of the Snack Shack. Run by the supported employment program, the little shop of snacks and treats has been embraced as a great addition to the Arnold Gregory Complex. They have water, soda, coffee, and other hot beverages, lots of goodies such as chips, candy, breakfast sandwiches, fruit, and grab and go lunch items too!

Facts about Developmental Disabilities:

"Developmental disabilities are a group of conditions due to an impairment in physical, learning, language, or behavior areas. These conditions begin during the developmental period, may impact day-to-day functioning, and usually last throughout a person's lifetime.

A child's growth and development are followed through a partnership between parents and health care professionals. At each well-child visit, the doctor looks for developmental delays or problems and talks with the parents about any concerns the parents might have. This is called developmental monitoring. Any problems noticed during developmental monitoring should be followed up with developmental screening. Developmental screening is a short test to tell if a child is learning basic skills when he or she should, or if there are delays. If a child has a developmental delay, it is important to get help as soon as possible. Early identification and intervention can have a significant impact on a child's ability to learn new skills, as well as reduce the need for costly interventions over time.

Developmental disabilities begin anytime during the developmental period and usually last throughout a person's lifetime. Most developmental disabilities begin before a baby is born, but some can happen after birth because of injury, infection, or other factors.

Developmental disabilities occur among all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Recent estimates in the United States show that about one in six, or about 15%, of children aged 3 through 17 years have a one or more developmental disabilities, such as ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, intellectual disability, learning disability, vision impairment, and other developmental delays."

From the Center for Disease Control, a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services. Click here for more information and links to further resources.