Stories from the Heart Memorable Moments for the People We Support

Quarterly Newsletter of Chemung ARC | Winter 2014
Since 1953, “Creating opportunities
for individual successes.”
Stories from the Heart
DeShawn Williams is a young man who lives at
Chemung ARC’s Chemung Place IRA. When DeShawn’s
grandmother passed away, he lost not only his primary
support, he lost the companionship of her gentleman
friend. DeShawn has struggled in the past without a
positive male role model in his life. After NYSARC became
his primary guardian, Committee member Mike Reinhart
offered to try to develop a relationship with DeShawn.
After some false starts and lots of discussion, DeShawn
realized that Mike truly wanted to be a friend. The
relationship started out small and has blossomed into a
true friendship. Mike has introduced DeShawn, a diehard rapper fan, to classical music, something that may
not be a young adult’s first choice but DeShawn gave it
a try. Mike and DeShawn both are ice hockey fans and
this past January Mike treated DeShawn to a Men’s Night
Out at an Elmira Jackals hockey game. They went out for
dinner and attended the hockey game complete with a
(Left to Right) Mike Reinhart and DeShawn Williams
stop at the Jackals Gift Shop. DeShawn was very happy
to let his peers know he went to an Elmira Jackals game
with “Mr. Mike.” “Mr. Mike” attends DeShawn’s Circle
of Support meetings and at many of the Chemung
ARC’s agency events, you will see Mike and DeShawn
enjoying each other’s company.
Memorable Moments
for the People We Support
Jeremy Moss is a Direct Support Professional at one
of the Agency’s residential locations. A Direct Support
Professional (DSP) is a staff person who provides
support to an individual with a disability so that that
person can lead a self-directed life and contribute to the
community, assists with activities of daily living if needed,
and encourages attitudes and behaviors that enhance
community inclusion.
(Left to Right) Angel Caraballo, Ryan Faulkner and Johnny Miller
As a DSP, Jeremy sets expectations, provides consistency
and treats the individuals in their home the way he would
like to be treated. From teaching them to cook, sharing
barbershop experiences, or even enjoying a live football
game together, Jeremy recognizes the importance of
helping individuals we support to grow, not trying to
change who they are.
Recently, Jeremy shared a trip with three men supported
by the Agency. There was one van, two Eagles and three
Giants fans on course for fun, food, and controversy.
“Since these two teams played for the first time, it’s been
the momentous games and memorable moments that have
defined this contentious rivalry,” said Moss. “This game
was no different and we got to experience this first hand,
watching the Eagles beat the Giants at Lincoln Financial
Field in Philadelphia, PA. After travel, tailgating and a super
exciting game, 2 fans were happy and 3 were disappointed,
but all relished in the great experience,” added Moss.
Board of Directors:
Susan Post – President
Cheryl Guild - Vice President
Michael Kiser – Treasurer
Joy Bermingham – Secretary
Board Members:
Maryann Bruner
Betty Butz
Lucimar Escudero
Anita Lewis
Kathryn Littleton
Ralph Marino
Beverly Schwartz
Richard Sisson
Leadership Team:
Michael A. Doherty
Ph.D., Executive Director
Joanne Conley-Pease
Human Resources Director
Sean Eagen
Residential Services Director
Missy Goetschius
Public Relations Director
Lori Kain
Southern Tier Industries Director
Craig Mennig
Family Support Services Director
Pamela Overdurf
Clinic Director
Mary Therese Owen
Quality Enhancement Director
Kevin Wolfe
Facility & Safety Services Director
Shelley James
Executive Assistant
Founded in 1953, Chemung ARC is a person-centered,
not-for-profit organization committed to meeting the
needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities and their families in the Chemung
County area. The agency provides quality supports
and opportunities for individual growth for every
person supported by means of education, increased
community acceptance and participation.
Chemung ARC supports more than 700 individuals
with intellectual and developmental disabilities and
their families annually. Learn more at chemungarc.org.
Chemung ARC is a chapter of the state agency,
NYSARC, Inc. and is nationally accredited by The
Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL).
From the President
It’s no surprise that our most important
value here at Chemung ARC is “The
People We Support Are First.” But did
you also know that our ability to provide
opportunities for success to these
individuals is dependent on another
agency characteristic? Our Agency’s
“Quality Staff” demonstrate on a daily
basis that the people we support truly
ARE first, through their dedication to our
person-centered philosophy and their
willingness to go above and beyond. This
is true whether they are a DSP working
directly with the individuals we support,
a program manager or director, or a
member of the administrative office team.
As a former staff member myself, I had
many opportunities in my role as HR
Director to engage with potential and
current staff through the recruiting and
hiring process. Our goal was to match the
right candidate with the right position,
ensuring the right fit. That continues
today, as our HR Department works to
onboard staff who possess the necessary
knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively
carry out their job responsibilities while
living our agency values.
Susan Post, Board President
During the holiday season, we give
thanks for many things: our friends,
our families, and our freedom, to name
a few. This year, let’s also take a minute
to recognize and give thanks for the
quality staff we are blessed to have
here at Chemung ARC. Their passion
and dedication is critical to the people
we support, and our Agency goals
could not be accomplished without
their tireless efforts.
Best wishes for a Happy New Year!
River Friends 2014 Business of the Year
(Left to Right), Front: Jackie Peaslee, Rashell Smedley, Michelle Sills, and Tom Harrigan;
Back: John Lovell, Katie Bennett, Shawn Fisher, and John VanFleet
Chemung ARC was presented with the River Friends 2014 Business of the Year Award
for its partnership with River Friends.
River Friends initiated a pilot program early this year to improve our natural
environment, expand volunteers’ job skills and discover more of the community.
Southern Tier Industries (STI) worker-trainees and staff worked alongside other
volunteers to improve river trails, boat launches and fishing areas.
“We are thrilled to receive this award from Friends of the Chemung River!” said
Lori Kain, Southern Tier Industries Director. “This partnership provides a unique
opportunity to find new and innovative ways for work skills training for individuals with
developmental disabilities,” added Kain. STI is dedicated to developing vocational skills
and work habits in order for individuals we support to be employed at local businesses.
From the Executive Director
Managed Care Update
the focus of attention
moving forward.
As most of you are well aware, New York State has made a
commitment to get the field of Developmental Disabilities
(DD) into a managed care system. No one really knows
what that will entail, whether managed care will do
anything more to improve the lives of the people we
support, nor how long this will really take. Nevertheless,
Chemung ARC, like every other DD provider, must
prepare for this very major system change.
There are two developments I would like to note.
One is statewide, and one is regional. The statewide
development occurred at our State Association’s
(NYSARC) annual convention in October in Albany. At
that meeting, the NYSARC Board of Governors voted not
to apply for the development of an upstate managed care
organization, CHN. Instead, a downstate managed care
organization, PHP, currently consisting of 5 ARCs, will be
Self-Advocate
Recognized
Cheryl Locke has had an incredible year of recognition
for her self-advocacy efforts!
Cheryl was recently presented by the New York State
Rehabilitation Association (NYSRA) with the 2014
Martha Fitzpatrick Citizen Advocate Award. NYSRA’s
Martha Fitzpatrick Citizen Advocate Award is presented
to individuals who, like Martha Fitzpatrick, unwaveringly
and tirelessly work to promote issues that create a
better quality of life for all people.
Cheryl traveled to Saratoga Springs, NY where she was
presented by her Job Coach and Self-Advocacy Advisor,
Britt Woodhouse. “Cheryl has made great strides in the
last year and was chosen from a list of entries from all
over New York State! She continually strives to learn and
provide positive feedback to every situation that she
encounters,” said Woodhouse. “Cheryl is the perfect
example of a self-advocate that desires to be all she can
be and make it happen. I feel that there is no one more
deserving of this award!”
The regional
development is that
16 ARCs in the Finger
Lakes and Western New
York are examining the
feasibility of forming an
Independent Provider
Association (IPA). The
primary benefit would
be to increase our
negotiating power with
managed care entities.
Michael A. Doherty, Ph.D., Executive Director
We will continue to keep you posted on managed care
developments as they occur.
Cheryl was also
presented by the SelfAdvocate Association
of New York State
(SANYS) with the 2014
Self-Advocate of the
Year Award. Cheryl
was selected from a list
of potential advocates
from across New York
State by a group of
peers who attend a selfadvocacy conference.
Cheryl Locke
“Cheryl has become an active volunteer at both the
committee and board level,” said Michael A. Doherty,
Ph.D., Chemung ARC Executive Director. “She began
as a member of our Residential Committee, and this
year was elected to Chemung ARC’s Board of Directors.
Her perspective is highly valued at our Agency!” added
Doherty. Additionally, Cheryl had been a guest speaker
at The Collaborative Conference for Self-Advocates in
Geneva, NY and helped facilitate a focus group at the
Statewide Self-Advocacy Conference.
For more stories visit us at: ChemungARC.org!
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