TCNJ launches college program for students with developmental disabilities

A great story coming out of my old neighborhood in New Jersey...

From the Daily Record:  College program in NJ welcomes 

Morris Township student with Down Syndrome

The College of New Jersey -- also known as TCNJ -- is a prestigious four-year university located in Ewing, NJ.  Its Career & Community Studies program is a four-year, post-secondary certificate program designed for students with developmental disabilities.  The goal of the program is to provide each individual with a comprehensive course of study that includes career exploration and preparation, personal discovery, self improvement, and independent learning opportunities.  

Here a video clip from the TCNJ Web site:

TCNJ CCS Documentary from TCNJ CCS on Vimeo.

HWS College Experience delivers Meals on Wheels

Twice a month, the program delivers 21 meals to elderly people throughout the city of Geneva. We volunteer through the Ontario County Meals on Wheels program.

Percy says, "I love to see the older people, because they remember me and like to see me coming"

Sarah says, "I love to help people, so this is a nice way to do that"

It is a rewarding experience to watch the individuals make friendships with the regular people on the delivery route.

Happy 100th to G.W. Lisk!

Congratulations to our good friends at G.W. Lisk, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary!

Read more at the Daily Messenger: G.W. Lisk celebrates auspicious anniversary

G.W. Lisk is one of the many local businesses in the Finger Lakes region that support Ontario ARC.  The agency has placed several individuals in competitive jobs at G.W. Lisk through employment services.

Congrats on this milestone!

Autism bill sent to Gov. Paterson

New York State legislators have approved the Autism Insurance Bill -- a law that will require health insurance companies to provide coverage for screening, diagnosing, and treating autism spectrum disorders. It is on its way to Gov. Paterson's office for his signature.




Read more...

• WHAM-TV, Channel 13 -- Legislature Approves Autism Insurance Bill 
• New York Times -- Bill passed in Albany to make insurers pay for autism care

Cruisin' on Facebook

Are you on Facebook?  Well, so is Cruisin' for a Cause.  This year, we've put the event on Facebook to help spread the word throughout Ontario County.

Click on the logo to the left to log-in into your Facebook account and RSVP to Cruisin' for a Cause.  And, while you are there, don't be afraid to invite your friends and family or post it to your own Facebook page. 



Remember, RSVP'ing to the event on Facebook doesn't mean a ticket purchase.  If you are interested in purchasing tickets or becoming a sponsor, feel free to contact myself or Donna Auria.  More information is also available at our Cruisin' for a Cause site.

Epilepsy Education & Book Signing

The Epilepsy Foundation of Binghamton-Syracuse-Rochester is hosting a free book signing and education event at Wood Library in Canandaigua on June 29, 3:30 -  5 p.m.  The event will feature Erica Dunton, the author of Seven Days at Camp EAGR.  Books are available for purchase at the library for $10 each.  All proceeds go towards Camp EAGR. 

The event will also feature a presentation by Dr. William Kingston entitled Seizure Types and Accessing Epilespy Services.  Dr. Kingston is a epilepsy expert from Ontario Neurology Associates.

To attend, you must RSVP as seating is limited (click here for RSVP info or call (800) 724-7930).  Refreshments will also be served.

Congrats to the United Way!

Congratulations to the United Way of Ontario County for exceeding its $1.3 million fundraising goal!  This year, it raised $1,303,738 for a wide variety of community agencies and organizations throughout the County.

For more information, read the Daily Messenger article.

Volunteering at Granger Homestead and Carriage House

FLCC College Experience had the opportunity to volunteer at the annual
Homestead Days at the Granger Homestead and Carriage House. We were all assigned an exhibit to teach nineteenth century skills to second graders. Toni helped out at the planting station by helping the children plant dill, while Jeff worked at the washing clothes station. He demonstrated and assisted with washing clothes on a washboard. Alyse assisted at the butter-making station.  She showed the children how to shake the jars that were filled with cream and eventually would turn into butter. Fred worked with the Canandaigua Fire Dept. in showing the children how a fire would have been put out in the nineteenth century. Fred, the fireman, and the children formed a line and passed buckets filled with water to put out the "pretend" fire.

All of us really enjoyed spending time at the Granger Homestead with all the other volunteers and the children.

Community Experience moves into new room

Come one come all!! . The Community Experience has moved into our brand new room!! We have so much more space and had fun decorating. We have beautiful new furniture and a relaxation area with a throw rug you have got to see for yourself. Please stop by anytime. These are some of the fun quotes that the participants stated when we settled in. "wow look how much room we have! "It is so beautiful! " "This is so great!!"

News Round Up

• Sun Sentinel, Ft. Lauderdale, FL:  JARC hosts Client Appreciation Day
• Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh, PA: Brookline school's garden nurtures students' senses
• NYSARC, Inc, located in Delmar, NY: NYSARC accepting designs for its annual Convention Theme Design Competition

ARC Notes now available!

The May / June edition of ARC Notes is now available online!



Please, enjoy!!

Eberhardt Center's carnival seeking volunteers

My favorite part about the spring and summer months?  Its carnival season!  There's just nothing better than getting on a Ferris wheel and enjoying some sinfully sweet cotton candy and funnel cake.  Its a great way to welcome the warm weather.

This year, Ontario ARC's Eberhardt Center is hosting its annual carnival on July 22 featuring live music, entertainment, dancing, and festive games.  I got the chance to go last year and it truly is a great time!  Its a fun way to bring recreational opportunities -- and the carnival atmosphere -- to individuals with developmental disabilities.

To make sure this event is a success, the agency is looking for local community members to help set-up and break down the event.  Volunteers are also needed to assist with the wide variety of carnival activities and games.  Interested volunteers must be at least 14 years old and able to work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Looking to give your time this summer (and have fun)?  Contact Liz Hedger -- e-mail and 585-919-2043 -- or Amanda Stevens -- e-mail and 585-919-2058.

Autism Gene ID'd

A new study released in the scientific journal Nature has identified several genes that increases an individual's risk for autism or autism spectrum disorders.  Basically, these genes have certain abnormalities in which pieces of the DNA are completely missing or repeated several times.  This is known as a copy number variation. Scientists hope that the developments could lead to the creation of a diagnostic test, which could help individuals get a diagnosis and begin therapy quicker.



Looking to read more?

• Functional impact of global rare copy number variation in autism spectrum disorders (the study)
• CNN's Paging Dr. Gupta blog: New autism genes found
• Nature's Blog, The Great Beyond: Rare genetic variants linked to autism
• Bloomberg Businessweek's HealthDay: Gene copy aberrations may help drive autism

From CNN.com -- Autism: A Journey of Recovery

Great story from CNN's AMfix...thanks to Maggi Sullivan -- the agency's clincal services manager.  Learn more about the agency's services by contacting Maggi or visiting our Programs & Services site..

The full article is available online at CNN -- Autism: A Journey of Recovery.  It is part one is a three-part series the network is doing on children and autism.  We'll keep an eye on the series and post the videos and articles here.

Coordinator of Aging Services Presents at Conference

Jody Thomas, Ontario ARC's coordinator of aging services, recently gave a presentation at the 19th annual Third Age Conference entitled, 'Preventing Falls in your Agency: Fill Up Your Tool Kit.' Thomas' presentation discussed the reasons and magnitude of falls, as well as proactive strategies and exercises to prevent falls. In addition, she had the opportunity to highlight Ontario ARC's decreased number of fall-related injuries since the inception of trainings, exercises, and fall prevention initiative in 2007."

News Round Up

• The Westbury Times, serving the Long Island area: Village: AHRC should locate community residence elsewhere
• The Hamilton Spectator, serving Ontario, Canada:  Helping autistic adults find their way
• Tampa Bay Online, serving Tampa Bay, FL:  Brides' dreams come true at Goodwill's annual sale

It's time to go Cruisin'...

It's that time of year again!

Tickets and sponsorship packages are now available for Ontario ARC's only major fundraiser CRUISIN' FOR A CAUSE.  It is one of Ontario County's most exciting events of the summer and all proceeds go towards the agency's Recreation Program, which provides fun year-round activities for children, teens, and adults with developmental disabilities.

Visit our Cruisin' for a Cause Web page and learn how you can make a difference!