Disability Awareness Brought to Area Schools with the “Everybody Can” Contest

Pam Thompson (left) from Delta Kappa Gamma, Beta Omicron Chapter and Barb Thompson from The Arc of Delaware County hold one of the winning entries from the Everybody Can contest. This poster was created by Mrs. Bussiere's First Grade Class at Downsville Central School.

Disability awareness is brought to area schools in a fun and challenging way with the “Everybody Can” contest. This contest was created over 5 years ago through a partnership between The Arc of Delaware County (The Arc) and Delta Kappa Gamma’s local chapter, Beta Omicron.  The culmination of the contest occurs in March during Developmental Disability Awareness month when school winners are announced. This year's contest theme was "Everybody Can-Be Included.”  Delaware County students in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade are challenged to illustrate how they would include people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in their lives with an essay, PowerPoint or poster entry.  The goal of the contest is to encourage kids to explore how they can help others feel included and valued.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional organization of women educators that has over 40 local members representing several of the Delaware County schools. And The Arc of Delaware County is a nonprofit organization that provides resources, programs, and support for over 300 children and adults with disabilities. Together these two organizations have combined their skills and knowledge to offer schools an opportunity learn more about disabilities by offering this contest challenge as well as interactive experiences and presentations at schools and at The Arc’s Day Program sites in Walton and Hamden.

This year Downsville Central School invited The Arc and to make presentations in their Pre-K through 4th grade classes and at their morning assembly.  A different challenge was presented to each class so the children could learn firsthand what it is like for a person with a disability to experience the world and how they adapt and pursue their interests and dreams just as their class peers do.

Mrs. Lisa Sackett who coordinated the contest participation at Downsville Central School said, “I would encourage other schools to do this. It is great character education and teaches that we are all different and we have to accept people for who they are.  When The Arc and Delta Kappa Gamma visited our school, the children loved the activities that taught about diversity. The contest also fits in well with teaching about bullying.”

The winners from this year’s contest include:

Essay: 1st Place-Sophia Piro, 5th Grade, Walton Central School
            2nd Place- Nathan Merwin, 5th Grade, Walton Central School
            3rd Place- Josh Carr, 5th Grade, Walton Central School

Poster: 1st Place- Mrs. Bussiere’s 1st grade class, Downsville Central School
             2nd Place- Mrs. Reed’s Pre-K Class

PowerPoint: 1st Place- Lacey Eckert and Kadence Oblinkski, South Kortright Central School
                     2nd Place- Madison Leaver and Caila Thomas, South Kortright Central School
                     3rd Place- Gracie Taylor, South Kortright Central School

To view photos of winning entries or to learn more about the “Everybody Can” contest visit: www.delarc.org.

Downsville Central School-Mrs. Reed's Pre-K Class 2nd Place poster winner. 

Looking Forward to Spring! Students Enjoy Growing Trout for Spring Release

People at The Arc of Delaware County are having fun watching little fry grow into trout that they plan to release into nearby streams in the spring. The Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program fish tank and fry have been set up at Resources for Industry in Walton, NY. This program teaches students about water quality, stream habitat, ecosystems and develops and appreciation of our water resources and fosters a conservation ethic.  This year 6 students, Rachel, Jamie, Mike, Melissa, Marisa, and Rita are caring for the developing trout.

Jeff Foster, Director of Employment and Transition at The Arc of Delaware County shared his video of the developing trout.  Jeff is an avid fisherman, and active in conservation efforts including being a former editor of a Trout Unlimited chapter newsletter and who also stared a River Keeper program in that chapter. He shared, “I like to combine my fishing and photography hobbies as often as possible.”  View photos of the initial set up of tanks and the fry: https://www.flickr.com/photos/delarc/sets/72157649289158016/ 

And to see how the fish have grown watch Jeff’s video: http://youtu.be/Y5WgDk18fKU

 

 

NYSARC Trust Grant Embellishes LIves

Wishes and dreams came true for several people supported by The Arc of Delaware County as a result of a generous recreational grant of $10,000 from the Trustees of the NYSARC Trusts. When staff learned of this wonderful opportunity, ideas flowed forth as to how best to use this funding for those they support who might not otherwise be able to afford an experience that would greatly enrich their lives.

Annette Plath, Administrative Assistant at the Residential Office shared that when she heard about the NYSARC Recreation Grant opportunity, the idea of Shannon Robinson going to opera came immediately to mind.

Shannon has long harbored a love of the sweeping music of opera which was kindled by a chance connection in the Residential Office of The Arc of Delaware County.  Several years ago, Annette was playing a favorite opera in her office when Shannon came in to deliver some mail to her. She immediately recognized a kindred “opera” spirit when she saw him become transfixed upon hearing the music and invited him to sit down and listen.  Since then, Annette shared that Shannon has come in to her office many times, requesting to hear more opera music.  “He is transported by it” shared Annette.  She described how Shannon would relax into an office chair, put his head back and shut his eyes letting the music wash over him, occasionally uttering, “beautiful”.  She noted “He particularly likes duets and arias, from Puccini including “Madam Butterfly, La Boh`eme, and Tosca.”

In August,  Riann Warren, a staff member and Shannon attended “Madame Butterfly” at the Glimmerglass Opera. “I don’t think it hit him, what we were about to see until we arrived at our balcony seats”said Riann.  “Then his face just lit up!”  During the performance he became very calm and quiet as he took in every aspect of the performance.  And during intermission Shannon talked about how the man and women were in love. “Can we come again next year?” he asked on the way home.

When asked about why he likes opera music in particular, Shannon shared that the music made him feel “peaceful”.  When he feels upset or anxious he asks for opera music to be played.  “It makes me feel calm.” “I thoroughly enjoy listening to music with him, it touches me,” said Annette.

In addition, remainder fund grants totally $1,660,500 were awarded to support NYSARC guardianship programs statewide.  A total of $2,207,880 in remainder grants were awarded in 2014 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

Elimination of Workshops - OPWDD Plan

The following link will take you to OPWDD's plan to eliminate Workshops; see page 7 for specific details.



Link to OPWDD's Plan to Increase Community Employment and Eliminate Workshops

Please contact us to be added to a list of advocates on this topic who are working to prevent the elimination of this very important aspect of employment services:

delarc@delarc.org or (607) 865-7126, ext. 151

NYSARC Trustees Award Supports Guardianship Services

The Arc of Delaware County was delighted to receive word that it will be receiving a grant from NYSARC’s Community Trust Remainder Funds in support of its guardianship services.

The Arc of Delaware County’s Guardianship Committee, comprised of dedicated members from the community, currently provides guardianship services to four people for whom NYSARC, Inc. serves as Legal Guardian.   The committee ensures all decisions made are in the best interest of the individual and are in harmony with the individual’s personal values and preferences, just as a concerned family member would do. 

The funds received from this grant will assist with ongoing expenses of operating the program and for life enhancing activities for people receiving guardianship services.

To learn more about Guardianship Services available through The Arc of Delaware County, click on the link below  or contact Kim Shaw at (607) 865-7126.

http://delarc.org/index.php/services/adult-services/guardianship-services/ 

"Before I Die” Program Concludes in Delhi

 On the very last day, people came up to the “Before I Die” boards in Delhi’s Courthouse Square to post up their personal dreams and aspirations…..like about 1,000 people before them ever since the program was launched on 9/11…the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Started in New Orleans in 2011 by a young artist named Candy Chang, who was troubled by a personal crisis and was seeking a way to express her thoughts, Before I Die has spread to over 70 countries in 34 languages on over 500 boards throughout the world.


7 community organizations, representing a diverse group of Delaware County people, joined together to support this program:  The Delaware County Office of the Aging, Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, the Delaware County Veterans Service Agency, Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi, SUNY Delhi, The Arc of Delaware County, the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi---plus the valuable support of the Delaware County Maintenance Department.

The program allowed anyone to step up, pick up a piece of chalk and share their goals, dreams and personal thoughts in a very public, dramatic way.  An earlier program last year was successfully held on the campus of SUNY Delhi.  “We decided that it would be much more of a community program to move this meaningful idea into the community where everyone could participate,” said Elizabeth Sova, SUNY’s Director of their O’Connor Center for Community Engagement.

As the boards were being taken down last Friday, Amanda Green, a resident of Delhi and part of the team that launched the program in September at an assembly for Delaware Academy high school students, said “While it was sad to see the boards come down, so many people had an opportunity to share their dreams and thoughts.  Today I posted that my goal was to become a Teacher’s Aid in a local school---- it felt great to share my dream”.

Each day members of the community support team stopped by the boards to make sure there was plenty of chalk and room for people to post up their dreams.  Special kudos are due to Justin Foster, the SUNY Delhi faculty member who led a team of his students to construct the boards, install them in the Square on 9/11 and then remove them last week.  “It was a special commitment to our community,” said Justin.

Members of the sponsoring team included Rev. Sarah Hooker & Renee Maxwell of the First Presbyterian Church, John Boecke of the Veterans Service Agency, Tammy Christman of the Catskill Area Hospice, Delaware Academy Superintendent Jason Thomson and faculty member Abigal Oliver, Sally Kauffman/Becky Townsend/Steve Finkel from The Arc of Delaware County, Wayne Shepard of the Office of the Aging, Elizabeth Sova  from SUNY Delhi,  valuable support from the County’s Board of Supervisors Chairman, James Eisel, Christa Schafer and the County’s Maintenance Dept.’s Pete Montgomery, plus important technical help from SUNY’s Nicholas Wagner.  Everyone felt that “these are the types of programs that bring our county together in a positive, caring and productive way,  and are very important for the overall welfare of the county.   During often challenging times, we all need to work together for the best outcomes and results for everyone.”

Teachers and The Arc of Delaware County Launch Contest

 

For the 5th year, Beta Omicron, the local chapter of a world-wide educators’ organization, is working with The Arc of Delaware County to sponsor a contest open to all Delaware County school districts.  The purpose of the county-wide grades K-8 contest is to help students understand the strengths and embrace abilities of people with developmental disabilities.

 Beta Omicron is part of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a professional organization of women educators.  This local chapter has 40 members representing several of the Delaware County schools.  Their mission is excellence in education, so they have partnered with The Arc to bring awareness of the abilities of people with developmental disabilities to school kids and their communities.

The theme of this year’s contest is “Everybody Can---Be Included.” Students can describe in essay or PowerPoint format (grades 5-8) or poster (K-4) how they would include in their lives people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Kids likely have in their families, classes, or communities people with I/DD, such as autism, Down’s syndrome, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, etc. The aim of the contest is to encourage kids to explore how they can help others feel included and valued.

Prizes will be awarded in 3 categories: Grades K-4 class poster Grades 5-8 individual essay or Grades 5-8 PowerPoint projects. First, second, and third place winners of each category will be awarded $100, $75, or $50 respectively. Each entry will be recognized with a certificate.

 The first year winner of the contest was Erika Liddle’s South Kortright 6^th grade class which read the book 10 Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, by Ellen Notbohm. Liddle recommends that other teachers enter the contest.  “You need to do it: you have a chance to make a difference in how children see things, and this is a great opportunity to build compassion.”  She said her students made a connection to a former classmate by realizing why he had behaved certain ways.  They developed a new understanding of his behavior and formulated ways they could have better included him.

For more information about this contest or for entry forms contact The Arc of Delaware County, Community Relations Department, Barbara Thompson (607) 865-7126 or email B.thompson@delarc.org

Information and details can also be found on The Arc’s website: www.delarc.org