CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 8

CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER ISSUE 8

CONNECTIONS ISSUE 8 OUR MISSION. YOUR STORIES.

STRONGER TOGETHER IN THIS ISSUE

A Message from CEO Erik Geizer POSITIVE CHANGES CONTINUING

A Message From The CEO - 1-3

As we continue into the second quarter of 2022, positive changes are happening daily in our field. These changes give us hope for the future and motivate us in working to realize our mission and advocate for all people with

CQL Accreditations - 4,5

Local Newspaper Honors WWAARC Nursing Director - 8 Resource Center Employee Honored as NYS DSP of the Year- 7 The Arc New York Dedicates Conference Room to Longtime Volunteer - 6

Lexington ARC RN Named Capital Region Top Nurse - 9

Bright Beginnings Program Ears Distinction - 9

Congratulations, Graduates! - 10-14

2022 Special Olympics Games! - 15-19

intellectual and developmental disabilities.

When Volunteering Leads to Innovation: Engineering a Difference - 20

Volunteering Opportunities - 21, 22 Arc Herkimer Opens New Café - 23 New Partnership Leads to Career Center - 23

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A Message from CEO Erik Geizer (Continued)

STRATEGIC VISION PROGRESS

The Arc New York's Strategic Plan was approved by the Board in April 2021, and it represented an agreement by key stakeholders to engage in a formal process to move the organization forward in a unified direction and position The Arc New York for even greater success in the future. After a full year of implementation of this strategic vision, we have made great progress on every initiative. We received over 10,500 survey responses from staff across the state to guide our efforts to enhance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We are implementing significant changes to strengthen our governance process, exploring innovative approaches to programming, detailing best practices and strategies, revitalizing our advocacy efforts, and working to address our ongoing staffing crisis. We invite you to explore the Strategic Vision Progress Report to learn more details about the work completed over the past year, the goals for the next twelve months, and the larger vision for our future. We encourage you to reach out with questions and feedback as we work in unison to achieve our goals, build our organization toward the future, and fulfill our mission. OPWDD'S STRATEGIC PLAN Similar to The Arc New York, the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) recently released their much anticipated 2023-2027 Draft Strategic Plan.

New York State is required under Mental Hygiene Law 5.07 to develop a comprehensive five-year plan that defines and adequately resources supports and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). OPWDD’s last plan under this requirement was adopted in 2012 and expired in 2016. According to OPWDD Commissioner Kerri Neifeld, “This draft plan presents solutions to the critical issues that our stakeholders have told us need to be addressed, such as strengthening the workforce, providing new housing options, better supporting people where they are, exploring new support opportunities, improving existing options and supporting people to find employment and meaningful day activities." OPWDD is holding a series of in-person regional forums to present the plan and solicit public feedback.

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A Message from CEO Erik Geizer (Continued)

Commissioner Kerri Neifeld delivered opening remarks at the forum, and OPWDD staff presented a short overview of the draft strategic plan. A public comment period followed, during which self-advocates, family members and providers voiced their perspective on the needs and future of services and supports in the state. The Arc New York will deliver formal comments on the 5.07 plan later this month, including recommendations to strengthen the plan and the system as a whole. We look forward to partnering with OPWDD to identify solutions to our current challenges and ensure this vision for New York's supports and services is sustainable, robust, high- quality, and person-centered.

The first of these forums was hosted at The Advocacy and Resource Center, the Clinton County Chapter of The Arc New York. Prior to the forum, Commissioner Neifeld joined Advocacy and Resource Center Executive Director Robin Pierce, myself, and state office and OPWDD staff to visit with residents, tour current facilities and see new development underway.

SAVE THE DATE! 2022 ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 13-15 IN ALBANY The Arc New York 2022 Annual Meeting will be held in person after two years apart! Join us to reconnect, learn and celebrate. More details will follow, but we're saving you a seat!

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COUNCIL ON QUALITY & LEADERSHIP ACCREDITATIONS

THE ARC JEFFERSON – ST. LAWRENCE EARNS NATIONAL ACCREDITATION FROM CQL

The Arc Lexington announced earlier this year that they received CQL's Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, with Distinction! CQL's Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, With Distinction, is a four-year accreditation that applies the most stringent standards for human service organizations, requiring measurable results. THE ARC LEXINGTON AWARDED WITH PERSON-CENTERED EXCELLENCE ACCREDITATION, WITH DISTINCTION This level of CQL Accreditation is for organizations with deeply embedded person-centered approaches and practices, using CQL’s internationally-recognized tools. It includes strict eligibility criteria, rigorous expectations involving the impact of supports on outcomes, the application of CQL Certification, and robust >Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24

www.thearcny.org

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